Isuzu introduces its first electric truck

The commercial vehicle manufacturer Isuzu Commercial Truck of America announced its first all-electric production model, the N-Series EV. The 2025-model-year Class 5 truck—featuring a full 19,500-lbs. gross vehicle weight rating, a battery electric platform developed by Isuzu Motors Limited—will be available in the first half of 2024.    

“As we look at the regulatory landscape ahead of us, we know that the demand for a medium-duty truck powered by electricity is going to increase dramatically," said Shaun C. Skinner, president, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada. "And we will be ready with the first electric production Class 5 low cab forward truck in the U.S. and Canadian marketplace.”            

Vehicles to be sold in the U.S. will be constructed there as well, including features such as:

• A full 19,500-lbs. GVWR 
• Wheelbases ranging from 132.5"-176" to accommodate a variety of body lengths
• Standard cab design
• Four choices of battery capacity, the largest of which has a range up to 235 miles on a fully-charged, new battery
• DC Fast Charging and AC (Level 2) charging capability
• An optional Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) package

All N-Series EVs will be outfitted with several 20-kWh lithium-ion battery backs, with clients able to select three-, five-, seven-, and nine-battery-pack packages for their vehicle. These battery packs will have battery capacities of 60, 100, 140, and 180 kWh respectively, with charging times ranging from 5.5-10 hours for AC charging and 1-2.5 hours for DC Fast Charging. To complement the battery backs, every model sold will include charging DC charging ports (CCS1) and AC charging ports (J1772). 

The driving range of each vehicle will depend on the amount of battery packs selected, but will overall range from 41-235 miles assuming that the battery is fully charged and brand new, since battery capacity decreases with age. Specifically, the company stated that the driving ranges per battery pack are:

• Three battery packs (60 kWh capacity): 41-80 miles
• Five battery packs (100 kWh capacity): 68-130 miles
• Seven battery packs (140 kWh capacity): 95-180 miles
• Nine battery packs (180 kWh capacity): 122-235 miles 

But these ranges are liable to be impacted by a variety of factors.

“A truck’s actual range will vary based on a number of factors, including number of battery packs, vehicle options, driving conditions and habits, vehicle and battery’s condition and outside temperature," Skinner noted.   

The exterior of the cab will include a new headlamp assembly with LED clearance lights and a newly designed front bumper, while the interior features a multi-information display with status indicators for driver-assistance features alongside the standard notification indicators.

The optional ADAS includes Automatic Emergency Braking and Lane Departure Warning Systems, a Distance Alert System, a Forward Vehicle Start notification, and a Mis-acceleration Mitigation system which will restrict engine output if the accelerator is pressed more than necessary and there's an obstacle ahead.