12th May 2025: Following the introduction of the New Isuzu D-Max at the Bharat Mobility Show in January, Isuzu has announced the start of global production of its first fully electric pick-up truck, the D-MAX EV, in Thailand.
This model combines rugged durability with zero-emission performance, competing with global rivals like the Ford F150 Lightning, GMC Hummer EV, Chevy Silverado EV, and Tesla Cybertruck.
It has a full-time 4WD system, newly designed e-Axles, a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, a 66.9 kWh battery, a dual electric motor system that produces 177 PS and 325 Nm of torque, and an all-wheel-drive (AWD) drivetrain as standard.
It has a payload capacity of 1,000 kg and a maximum speed of 130 km/h. According to the WLTP standard in Europe, the D-Max EV can travel up to 163 miles (263 km) on a single charge, increasing to 224 miles (360 km) in urban driving conditions. An 11-kW AC charger can charge the vehicle to 100% in 10 hours, while a 50-kW DC fast charger can charge it from 20% to 80% in one hour. It also has Eco mode and multi-level regenerative braking.
Although the rollout plan for India is unknown, the most recent update from the global headquarters indicates that the 4WD system, which includes drive units on each axle, produces a total power output of 190 hp and 240 lb-ft (325 Nm) of torque, with 58 hp and 80 lb-ft (108 Nm) at the front and 132 hp and 160 lb-ft (217 Nm) at the rear.
ISUZU Motors India (IMI) manufactures the ICE models ISUZU D-MAX V-Cross, Hi-Lander, and ISUZU mu-X SUV for personal use, as well as various ISUZU D-MAX models for commercial purposes, at its facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh.
Recently, the India division company celebrated the production of its 100,000th vehicle, and plays an important role in Isuzu’s export operations by introducing a fully built ambulance model that meets AIS-125 Type C specifications.
According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), IMI has become India’s leading exporter of commercial vehicles for the fiscal year 2024-25, exporting 20,312 vehicles, a 24% increase from the previous year’s 16,329 units.
The operations in India produce vehicles for both left- and right-hand drive markets in Asia and the Middle East, with major export destinations such as Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Jordan. This facility serves as a key manufacturing centre for both domestic and international markets, particularly the pickup vehicle sector.
Simultaneously, the company is expanding its domestic sales and service network to serve Indian consumers better. When the DMax EV is launched in India, it will have a payload capacity of around 2,226 lb (1,010 kg), compared to the diesel D-Max’s 2,645 lb (1,200 kg).
It will also have a towing capacity of 7,716 pounds (3,500 kilograms), which is similar to the diesel variant.
A new De-Dion rear suspension improves the truck’s handling, which replaces the traditional leaf spring setup. In addition to its permanent 4×4 mode, the D-Max EV has a dedicated Rough Terrain Mode for improved off-road performance, and 18-inch alloy wheels with 265/60R18 tyres are standard.
