Isuzu’s first all-electric pickup uses compact e-Axle as will Maruti e-Vitara

Isuzu Motor has announced that it has chosen and used the e-Axle, jointly developed by a consortium known as BluE Nexus that includesd Toyota (BluE), Aisin and Denso, for the Isuzu D-Max EV. The Isuzu D-Max EV is the Japanese manufacturer’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) pickup truck, which went into production in April 2025.

Aisin and Denso, two of the world‘s largest market shareholders for transaxles and inverters, respectively, possess top level technologies in the field of electric motor development, and have joined forces with Toyota to drive advances in electric mobility. 

Revealed at the 2025 Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham, the Isuzu -Max EV is the first fully electric commercial pick-up in the European market to offer over 1-tonne payload, 3.5-tonne towing, and full-time 4x4. Powered by a 66.9 kWh battery and dual motors (140 kW, 325 Nm), it combines work-ready toughness with modern EV performance. It has a claimed range of 263km per charge.

Production of the left-hand drive model for Europe has commenced at Isuzu Motor’s Thailand plant, and it will be shipped to major European markets in the third quarter of 2025. Production of the D-Max EV right-hand drive model is scheduled to begin at the end of this year, with sales expected to start in 2026 in the UK. It will subsequently be introduced to other countries and areas based on market needs.

Production of the left-hand drive model for Europe has commenced at Isuzu Motor’s Thailand plant, and it will be shipped to major European markets in Q3 2025. 

The D-Max EV's full-time 4WD system, featuring newly developed e-Axles in the front and rear, is aimed at delivering top-notch performance on rough terrain. This system provides linear acceleration typical of EVs, all while minimizing noise and vibration. Additionally, the high towing capacity and high payload are made possible by powerful electric motors and a robust frame and body design, allowing the D-Max EV to match the performance of existing diesel models.

The e-Axle is a module that integrates a motor, an inverter and a transaxle into a compact package. Similar in concept to systems used by Tesla, BMW and Hyundai (E-GMP), the eAxle uses a compact motor and inverter to achieve high power density without taking up too much space.

The newly installed product combines the newly developed e-Axle front and rear with a full-time 4WD system, contributing to both the tough basic performance required for pickup trucks (durability/loading and towing performance/rugged road drivability) and the linear acceleration and low noise and vibration characteristic of BEVs. The BEV is a 4WD system with a low-noise and low-vibration engine.

According to Isuzu and Denso, production of the Isuzu D-Max EV with the e-Axle will be gradually expanded globally, starting with shipments to major European countries and gradually adapting to market characteristics and customer needs.

BluE Nexus India to supple e-Axle to Maruti e-Vitara
BluE Nexus’ e-Axle has resonance in India. Maruti Suzuki’s first EV, the upcoming Maruti e-Vitara SUV is to be equipped with a made-in-India front e-axle. The e-Axle for the Maruti e-Vitara will be manufactured and supplied by BluE’s Indian subsidiary, BluE Nexus Automotive India. BluE Nexus established BluE Nexus Automotive India in May 2023 to develop, calibrate, and sell vehicle electrification systems and drive modules.

Production in India will contribute to the rollout of Suzuki BEVs around the world in line with market needs

ALSO READ: 
Electric car and SUV sales in India cross 90,000 in first 7 months of 2025