Isuzu confirms Aussie debut for N Series EV

ISUZU Australia Limited (IAL) has confirmed it will preview its new EV Global Truck platform at the upcoming Brisbane Truck Show from May 18.

The production-ready global zero emissions battery electric truck platform will make its first appearance at the southern hemisphere’s largest automotive industry event in what IAL says is a “significant event for the Australian truck market leader”.

The N Series EV was shown globally alongside a full model change of the light-duty N- and medium-duty F Series range of trucks in early March, signalling what IAL says is a “new era” for the industry.

IAL says the push towards electrification is part of the company’s stated goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions from its commercial vehicle product range by 2050.

It is a statement IAL tempered with the view that “a range of different drivetrain technologies will be required to satisfy the broad array of end-user applications” the manufacturer has, “given the diverse variety of industries and markets” it operates within.

Still, the N Series EV is a promising step in the right direction. The Japanese manufacturer said its newest model encapsulates four key themes in the move towards future road transportation, including carbon neutrality, driver comfort, safety, and connectivity.

Key to this development is the implantation of a modular-style product development platform, which is likely to underpin future models, including the larger F Series.

“This is of course the very first Isuzu factory-developed zero emission battery electric production model and coming from one of the world’s top truck manufacturers, this is an amazing opportunity for Isuzu Australia, our many customers and indeed the trucking community more broadly,” said IAL chief of strategy, Grant Cooper.

“The model we’ll have on display in Brisbane is the ‘world’ model, coming direct from Japan after its international premiere only a few short weeks ago. Understandably, we’re thrilled to be able to receive such a vanguard product here in Australia and formally introduce it to the Australian truck market.

“What will be fascinating to see play-out is Isuzu’s introduction of a modular architecture and component standard. Essentially, this allows for the optimal merging of components, parts, and devices to fulfill various needs and applications, all in anticipation of new and emerging technologies coming to the fore,” Mr Cooper commented.

“This is certainly a new and exciting way of tackling product development for Isuzu and combines the best of both worlds – existing commercial vehicle realities and the benefits of future technologies.”

The Brisbane Truck Show takes place at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre from May 18-21. An in-depth presentation on the N Series EV at 2:30pm on the opening day.