An electric, and altogether different, version of KGM Motors’ Musso pickup will land in dealer showrooms in May.

The South Korean outfit, formerly known as Ssangyong, has priced its debut double-cab EV aggressively. The listing price of £44,995 is well below the £60,000 of an equivalent Isuzu D-Max.

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This is partly explained by the Musso EV’s underpinnings. Rather than adapting the diesel derivative, KGM has based the design on its recently launched Torres EVX SUV and, as a result, it has zilch in common with its oil-slugging stablemate.

The benefit is more car-like handling, the company says. But with a more sophisticated suspension system comprising coils rather than leaf springs at the back, there’s also a kicker.

Payload has been drastically reduced, from 1t-plus on the regular 2.2-litre, 202hp Musso to a comparatively paltry 690kg. This means it falls below the threshold for commercial vehicle classification.

Towing capacity has also taken a hit, down from 3.5t to 2.3t.

Power hasn’t, though. Front and rear motors, fed by an 80.6kWh lithium iron phosphate battery from Chinese maker BYD, give a combined output of 204hp/339Nm and full-time four-wheel drive.

Estimated range is 240 miles and, if owners can find a 300kW DC rapid charger, replenishing the cells to 80% is a half-hour affair.

Like other vehicles of this type, the battery can also be used to run power tools or accessories from load-bed outlets.

KGM promises SUV-grade comfort in the cab, with a snazzy 12.3in digital cluster and equally big infotainment display, heated and ventilated front seats and, thanks to its long wheelbase, generous second-row legroom.

The vehicle is eligible for the government’s plug-in van grant, which will knock £2,500 off the purchase price.