This Japanese automaker just confirmed an electric pickup is coming, and it’s not Toyota
A new electric pickup truck is set to roll out from Japanese automaker Isuzu. Isuzu president Shinsuke Minami confirmed the news at an unveiling event in Thailand.
At the unveiling of the refreshed D-Max truck in Bangkok, Minami said, “Isuzu is actively taking efforts to realize a carbon-neutral society. Going forward, Isuzu plans to produce a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) pickup truck in Thailand.”
The Japanese automaker’s leader added that it will first introduce the electric pickup in Europe “and then gradually roll out by meeting market needs.”
Thailand is Isuzu’s largest pickup truck market. However, the popular D-Max is sold in over 100 countries and regions, including Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Central America, and South America.
Last year, Isuzu sold around 340,000 pickups, with roughly 180,000 of them (45%) in Thailand.
In the UK, only one other pickup is currently on the market, the Maxus T90 EV, with an 88.5 kWh battery capacity and 330 km (205 miles) of WLTP range.
Japanese electric truck launching in Europe, Thailand
Although no specs or other details were revealed, it’s likely to be an electric version of the D-Max. Like the T90 EV, Isuzu will likely swap the gas engine for an electric motor and battery.
Rather than a full-size truck like the Ford F-150 Lightning or Rivian R1T, the Japanese automaker’s electric pickup is expected to be closer to the Ford Maverick.
Isuzu will face several competitors in Thailand, including Geely’s Radar R6 electric pickup. Deemed “China’s first pure electric outdoor lifestyle brand,” Radar shipped its first batch of EV trucks to Thailand in July.
The Radar R6 is based on the SEA platform with three battery options offering up to 392 miles (632 km) of range. In China, the R6 is highly affordable, with prices starting at RMB 178,800 ($24,500).
Toyota also revealed an electric version of its Hilux pickup in Thailand last December, its fourth-highest production region behind the US, Japan, and China.
Electrek’s Take
Will Isuzu’s electric truck make its way to the US? I wouldn’t get my hopes up. The Japanese automaker already pulled out of the US market in 2009 after GM discontinued the platforms it used in partnership.
Although the D-Max is popular in other regions, an electric version could charge up the Japanese automaker’s sales.
Isuzu already cut its full-year outlook in Thailand by 18% after LCV sales fell 26% in the region in the most recent quarter. The automaker cited “slumping demand” and a “deteriorating financial environment.”
Meanwhile, electric vehicles continue gaining momentum in the region. Thailand accounted for nearly 79% of all EVs sold in Southeast Asia. By 2030, Thailand aims for 30% of its 2.5 million annual vehicle production to be electric.
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Tesla’s retro-futuristic diner with Superchargers and giant movie screens is ready to open, and I have to admit, it looks pretty sick.
This project has been in the works for a long time.
In 2018, Elon Musk said that Tesla planned to open an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in Los Angeles.” It was yet another “Is he joking?” kind of Elon Musk idea, but he wasn’t kidding.
A few months later, Tesla applied for building permits for “a restaurant and Supercharger station” at a location in Santa Monica. However, the project stalled for a long time, apparently due to local regulations.
Nevertheless, Tesla still moved forward with a Supercharger at the location, but it had to move the diner project to Hollywood. In 2022, Tesla filed the construction plans with the city, giving us the first look at what the automaker intends to build.
In 2023, the automaker broke ground on the site of the diner.
7 years after being originally announced, the project appears now ready to open:
Musk said that he ate at the diner last night and claimed that it is “one of the coolest spots in LA.” He didn’t say when it will open, but Tesla vehicles have been spotted at Supercharger and people appear to be testing the dinning experience inside.
A Tesla Optimus Robot can be seen inside the diner on a test rack. It looks like Tesla might use one for some tasks inside the diner.
Earlier this year, Tesla integrated the diner into its mobile app – hinting at some interaction through the app – possibly ordering from it.
Electrek’s Take
I think it looks pretty cool. I am a fan of the design and concept.
However, considering the state of the Tesla community, I don’t think I’d like the vibes. That said, it looks like Tesla isn’t prominently pushing its branding on the diner.
You can come and charge there, but it looks like Tesla is also aiming to get a wider clientele just for dining.
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Hyundai’s electric minivan is finally out in the open. The Staria EV was caught without camo near Hyundai’s R&D center in Korea, giving us a closer look at the electric minivan undisguised.
Hyundai’s electric minivan drops camo ahead of debut
The Staria arrived in 2021 as the successor to the Starex, Hyundai’s multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Although the Staria has received several updates throughout the years, 2026 will be its biggest by far.
Hyundai will launch the Staria EV, its first electric minivan. Like the current model, the 2026 Staria will be available in several different configurations, including cargo, passenger, and even a camper version.
We’ve seen the Staria EV out in public a few times already. Last month, we got a glimpse of it while driving on public roads in Korea.
Despite the camouflage, new EV-like design elements were visible, including updated LED headlights and a full-length light bar. Although it’s still unclear, the electric version appears to be roughly the same size as the current Staria from the side, but slightly wider from the front.
New images posted on the South Korean forum Clien reveal a test car, expected to be Hyundai’s Staria electric minivan, without camo.
Like most Hyundai test cars, the prototype has a black front and a grey body. It still features a similar look to other prototypes we’ve seen, but you can clearly see the new facelift.
Earlier this year, a Staria EV was spotted in a parking lot in Korea, featuring a similar look. The electric version is nearly identical to the Staria Lounge, but with an added charge port and closed-off grille.
The Hyundai Staria EV is expected to make its global debut later this year. Technical details have yet to be revealed, but it’s expected to feature either a 76 kWh or 84 kWh battery, providing a range of around 350 km (217 miles) to 400 km (249 miles).
Hyundai’s electric SUV arrives after Kia introduced its first electric van, the PV5, which launched in Europe and Korea earlier this year.
In Europe, the Kia Passenger PV5 model is available with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh, providing WLTP ranges of 179 miles and 249 miles, respectively. The Cargo version has a WLTP range of 181 miles or 247 miles.
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, Clien
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