Isuzu UK has entered a strategic collaboration with National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) to put its forthcoming D-Max EV through intensive real-world testing ahead of its planned market launch in early 2026.
NGED, one of the UK’s largest electricity distribution network operators, will assign eight field operations engineers to run the electric pick-up across its Midlands, South Wales and South West regions, using it on everyday jobs to maintain and repair the power network.
The trial builds on four years of joint development work led by NGED fleet technical specialist Jane Nicholson.
She and her team have worked with Isuzu design groups in Japan and Europe to spell out the demands of utility work and integrate storage and equipment solutions for engineers who spend long days out in the field.
Nicholson said NGED regularly trials EVs before rolling them out, but never on the scale planned for the all-wheel-drive, towing and winching-capable D-Max EV.
NGED operates one of the country’s largest and most varied fleets and already runs about 1,200 EVs, including 400 commercial vehicles and 800 cars, as it moves towards a lower-carbon operation.
As an electricity distribution network operator, NGED owns and operates the local “wires” network (cables, poles, substations) delivering electricity to homes and businesses, but it doesn’t generate power and it isn’t a retail supplier.
The new D-Max EV pairs a dual-motor full-time 4WD system, delivering 140kW and 325Nm, with a 66.9kWh lithium-ion battery.
Isuzu is targeting a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, 1 tonne payload, 210 mm ground clearance and a 600 mm wading depth, with approach and departure angles of 30.5° and 24.2° respectively, to keep the truck capable on off-road sites.
