Isuzu has become the first mainstream pickup maker to introduce a model with a fully electric drivetrain that will be sold in the UK.

Using the same chassis, body and interior as its combustion-fuelled brethren, the D-Max EV axes the 1.9-litre diesel in favour of lithium-ion batteries and twin electric motors.

Housed in so-called e-Axles – 43kW at the front and 97kW at the rear – these deliver a combined output of 140kW (about 190hp in real money) and 325Nm of torque.

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Permanent four-wheel drive is also in the offing with slick torque vectoring to make sure power is channelled to wheels with the most grip.

Crucially, the powertrain switch hasn’t hampered working credentials, with it able to tow a 3.5t braked trailer, carry a 1t payload and wade through 60cm-deep water.

It will also accelerate from 0-62mph in 10.1sec and has a top speed of more than 80mph.

The addition of the batteries has only knocked 3cm off the ground clearance, most of which is down to an expanded aluminium protection plate.

© James Andrews

Limited range

However, with a modest 66.9kWh of cells slung under the floor, maximum range is just 163 miles – a figure that will be clipped further at higher speeds and when towing heavy loads.

Charging is also capped at 50kW, but Isuzu says this is sufficient to push the charge from 20% to 80% in one hour.

In a bid to improve ride quality, de Dion suspension has been used at the rear, and some tweaks have been introduced to reduce cabin noise and vibration.

Prices are due to be announced in July, early demonstrator models should be available later this year and the first customer vehicles will land early in 2026.

Buyers will get the option of extended-cab or double-cab body styles and two high-spec trim levels, similar to the DL40 and V-Cross diesel versions.