The Isuzu D-Max EVhas been priced and specified within the UK, and if Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) follows swimsuit the electrical dual-cab 4×4 ute might price greater than $100,000 when it arrives right here.
IUA is but to announce native pricing, specs or launch timing for the primary D-Max electrical automobile (EV), which can be launched in Norway later this yr, adopted by Thailand and the UK, the place will probably be launched in early 2026.
Revealed in April, the D-Max EV can be a crucial automobile for IUA, the place its solely two current fashions – the diesel-powered D-Max ute and the associated MU-X massive SUV – can be hit with growing CO2-related monetary penalties beneath the federal authorities’s New automobile Effectivity Customary (NVES) from this month.
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Nonetheless, native demand for the primary D-Max EV could possibly be considerably impacted by a worth premium that, based mostly on the UK mannequin lineup, might quantity to about $30,000 over an equal diesel D-Max.
In Britain, the range-topping D-Max eV-Cross has been priced at £62,495 plus VAT gross sales tax – considerably greater than the £40,900 worth of that market’s equal diesel-powered V-Cross variant.
Whereas a direct foreign money conversion is much less related, the identical worth distinction utilized to Australia’s premium D-Max X-Terrain variant (at the moment priced at $70,500 earlier than on-road prices), would see a totally loaded D-Max EV priced at round $108,000 plus on-roads.
An extended-cab D-Max EV may also be out there within the UK, priced at £59,995, however even the entry-level dual-cab electrical variant referred to as the eDL40 will price £60,995 in Britain – over £20,000 ($A40,000-plus) greater than the diesel variant on which it’s based mostly.
Given the most affordable dual-cab 4×4 pickup model of the D-Max at the moment prices greater than $50,000 in Australia, the identical worth premium would see the dual-motor four-wheel drive D-Max EV priced above $90,000.
Australia’s first electrical ute was the LDV eT60, which was initially launched at $92,990 earlier than on-road prices in late 2022. Following vital reductions since then, it has attracted simply 117 gross sales to June 2025.
However whereas the eT60, which can quickly get replaced by the brand new eTerron 9, was a rear-wheel drive dual-cab which claimed a 330km driving vary on the European WLTP commonplace, the D-Max EV can be provided solely with a dual-motor everlasting four-wheel drive powertrain providing a claimed vary of simply 263km beneath the identical take a look at cycle.
It should, nevertheless, match its diesel equal/s with a 1000kg payload and 3500kg towing capability, in addition to comparable off-road credentials – regardless of exchanging rear leaf springs for coil springs in a DeDion rear suspension setup.
For reference, the eTerron 9 will convey 430km of vary (WLTP), an influence output of 325kW and the identical 3.5-tonne tow ranking.
The D-Max EV combines a entrance axle-mounted electrical motor producing 43kW/108Nm with a rear motor delivering 97kW/217Nm to supply a mixed complete of 140kW/325Nm, matching the D-Max’s 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel for energy however falling 125Nm brief.
Its 66.9kWh under-floor battery could be DC fast-charged at as much as 50kW is claimed to supply 20-80 per cent charging in a single hour, with 11kW AC residence charging mentioned to supply a 0-100 per cent cost in 10 hours.
High pace is listed at simply 128km/h and kerb weight will increase by about 200kg of the X-Terrain to 2350kg.
Nonetheless, the D-Max EV in any other case gives comparable efficiency figures to its diesel equivalents, together with claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 10.1 seconds, 210mm of floor clearance (down from 240mm), a 600mm fording depth (down from 800mm), and barely much less beneficiant strategy and departure angles of 30.5 and 24.2 levels respectively.
Aside from entrance quarter and rear ‘EV’ badging, a grille with blue highlights, and a CCS charging port as an alternative of a diesel gas filler, the electrical D-Max seems nearly an identical to its dual-cab 4×4 diesel stablemates each inside and outside.
Inside, there’s a 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with smartphone mirroring, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone local weather management and heated entrance seas.
The D-Max EV can be provided in Europe in two trim ranges, each driving on 18-inch wheels and that includes an energy-saving Eco mode and 4 ranges of selectable brake power regeneration.
First revealed in idea kind in March 2024, the D-Max EV could possibly be the following all-electric ute (versus plug-in hybrid utes just like the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and Ford Ranger PHEV) to reach in Australia after the eTerron 9.
Electrical variations are anticipated of the top-selling Ranger, the next-generation Toyota HiLux due in 2026, and the all-new Kia Tasman that launches this month.
IUA instructed CarExpert in February it was contemplating the discharge of a number of electrified variations of the D-Max, together with mild-hybrid (MHEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), full electrical (EV) and even fuel-cell electrical (FCEV) and extended-range electrical (EREV) powertrains to fulfill NVES emissions targets.
On the time, Isuzu Ute Australia (IUA) deputy normal supervisor Sadanori Sugita confirmed the D-Max EV could be launched in Australia “within the close to future”, earlier than IUA managing director Junta Matsui mentioned the corporate wouldn’t lock in any electrified powertrains till full particulars of the NVES had been introduced.
“We haven’t determined something but, frankly talking,” he mentioned. “We go away our choices open. We attempt to minimise the affect to the market after all.
“We’re speaking to the product improvement staff, speaking to Isuzu in Japan, and naturally speaking to the federal government facet, as a result of not many particulars have been disclosed but, although NVES goes to start out in July.”
The NVES formally commenced on January 1 this yr and fines for exceeding CO2 emissions limits began accruing on July 1, earlier than turning into payable in 2028.
It units particular emissions targets that cut back between 2025 and 2029, for each ‘Kind 1’ passenger automobiles and ‘Kind 2’ heavy autos just like the D-Max, which at the moment produces between 177g/km (for 1.9-litre turbo-diesel variants) and 207g/km of CO2 in 3.0-litre dual-cab 4×4 kind.
Whereas all D-Max variants are due to this fact beneath the 2025 NVES Kind 2 goal of 210g/km, that CO2 restrict will cut back to simply 110g/km in 2029.
Nonetheless, Mr Matsui mentioned each the MU-X and D-Max will stay NVES-compliant within the long-term, with the assistance of electrified powertrains.
“We’re going to discover a means for positive. We’re going to make a pleasant stability,” he mentioned. “We attempt to discover a good stability between being match for function for the Australian folks and dealing with the NVES targets.”
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