National Grid Electricity Distribution has become one of the first UK organisations to put the new Isuzu D-Max EV into real operational service, beginning a wide-ranging trial to see how the fully electric pickup performs in the hands of field engineers.
The pilot will run across the South West, Midlands and South Wales, giving Isuzu direct feedback on how the vehicle handles demanding day-to-day work in a utility environment.
Eight engineers have been assigned the prototype for regular duties, using it on network upgrades, repair jobs and remote-site inspections. Much of the work requires frequent off-road access, tow capability, and the ability to carry heavy equipment, making it a strong early test of whether electric pickups can genuinely replace diesel 4×4 models in these roles.
The engineers will be assessing the D-Max EV’s performance across a range of scenarios, from rough terrain to load carrying and winching. They will also provide insight into charging patterns, route planning, battery performance and suitability for longer days in the field. The aim is to understand not only how the vehicle performs mechanically, but also whether it integrates cleanly into National Grid’s operational requirements.
The partnership has been in development for some time. National Grid has worked with Isuzu’s engineering teams for four years, helping shape the vehicle’s early design and functionality. Representatives from the fleet met Isuzu engineers in both Japan and Europe to contribute real-world utility feedback, something the manufacturer has used to tailor the EV to more specialist applications.
Early impressions from technicians suggest the D-Max EV feels close to the diesel model in everyday use, while offering smoother torque delivery in low-speed off-road work. Engineers will continue to report on how the vehicle behaves on steep climbs, loose surfaces and wet ground, alongside how payload and towing demands affect range. These are critical factors for any EV looking to replace a working pickup.
The prototype being tested features a dual-motor four-wheel-drive system delivering 140 kW of power and 325 Nm of torque. A 66.9 kWh battery supports the system, with the truck retaining the D-Max’s trademark capability, including a one-tonne payload, 3.5-tonne towing capacity and 600 mm wading depth. While National Grid is focusing on real-world practicality rather than headline figures, maintaining this level of capability is an important part of the evaluation.
National Grid, with over 1,200 electric vehicles already on the road, is a major player in the UK’s EV scene, so their opinions really count. If the D-Max EV impresses, it could be a big win for electric pickups in industries like utilities and commercial sectors, where the harsh working conditions have always made diesel the go-to choice.
The trial will carry on over the next few months, with National Grid and Isuzu taking the results to tweak the vehicle before it’s rolled out more widely. At the moment, it’s one of the first significant tests of an electric pickup in real-world engineering tasks, showing that the move to electric power is reaching even the toughest areas of the fleet industry.
National Grid photo courtesy of National Grid
