- The UK’s National Grid Electricity Distribution, which distributes energy to homes across the Midlands, the South West, and South Wales, is now trialling an example of Isuzu’s D-Max EV electric pickup truck, as the firm looks to continue to electrify its fleet.
- Eight of National Grid Electricity Distribution’s field engineers are testing out the D-Max EV, subjecting it to challenging environments and terrain, gauging whether this is a potential replacement for its current diesel pickup truck fleet.
- The Isuzu D-Max EV is set to launch to customers in 2026.
National Grid Electricity Distribution trials new fully-electric Isuzu truck
The trial follows four years of collaboration between National Grid Electricity Distribution and Isuzu, helping to design and build a model with the equipment and storage levels required for the crucial fieldwork this trial truck will undertake. NGED also worked with specialist vehicle converters Strongs to bring this tailored electric truck to its fleet.
Elsewhere in its fleet, NGED has already made strong progress towards electrification, with over 1,200 EVs currently in its roster (around 400 commercial vehicles and 800 cars). Last year, it took delivery of 70 Skoda Enyaq EVs, which were converted by Strongs into a light commercial vehicle format to make it the perfect tool for its engineers.
Whilst NGED is already operating an example of the D-Max EV on a trial basis, first deliveries of this new electric truck to other customers are scheduled to kick off in 2026. With a starting price of £59,995 excluding VAT, the D-Max EV offers a 1-tonne payload, a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, optional winch capabilities, and a full-time four-wheel-drive system. This strong list of specifications is likely to make it a hit with commercial fleets – but with Toyota also revealing its first fully-electric Hilux this week, it won’t be without competition.
Fleet Technical Specialist at NGED, Jane Nicholson, commented:
“Isuzu has been very keen to have our input from the start, and we’ve met their design teams from Japan and Europe many times, providing them with detailed information on the business’s requirements. This led to us having the opportunity to design and build a D-Max alongside specialist vehicle converters Strongs, with our engineers providing input into the features and storage solutions that will make the biggest difference to their work, carrying out upgrades and repairs to the electricity network. We’ve always trialled EV vehicles before deploying them into the business, but never to the extent that we are doing with the Isuzu D-Max EV, which will have off-road capabilities and the ability to tow and winch.”
