Isuzu's new range of products reflect the company's move towards electrification and net zero carbon emissions.
As the transport sector moves towards electrification and sustainability, Isuzu’s new energy powered trucks showcased innovation at the Japan Mobility Show 2023.
Unveiled at the “Innovation for You – Accelerate the Future of Transport,” exhibit hosted by Isuzu Motors Limited’s (IML) and UD Trucks, the products and technology were central to the ‘Choose Your Future,’ moniker.
The event encapsulated IML’s agnostic product development approach to achieve the company’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions from its commercial vehicle product range by 2050.
The spotlight was on three ground breaking models: the fuel-cell-powered Erga EV; the Giga FC heavy-duty truck; and the battery-electric version of the Elf, known as the N-Series.
Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) Director and COO, Andrew Harbison, says the expo provided a rare and insightful opportunity to get to grips with what is the cutting-edge of world transportation technology.
“Our industry is in the midst of unprecedented change. From the very fundamentals of the way in which we do business, to evolving environmental and societal expectations its clear an industry transition is well and truly upon us,” he says.
“From a product perspective, events like the Mobility Show are invaluable for markets such as Australia. Having direct access to some of the key emerging technologies, we’re looking at genuine solutions in our corner of the world which are both insightful and highly valuable.”
An overarching theme of the showcase was the Isuzu Group’s long-term goal to create environmentally responsible transport that can drive both economic growth as well as positive environmental outcomes.
“This broader push from our parent company is of course well underway and as we saw in Tokyo, an unapologetically holistic approach to technological development is being pursued,” says Harbison.
A significant part of this approach is the Isuzu Modular Architecture and Component Standard (I-MACS) – a new approach to product development that allows the combination of various components, parts and devices to be applied in light of future tech advancement and the expansion of vehicle types.
I-MACS has been able to realise an all-new Isuzu line-up that meets the diverse needs of customers around the world, now and into the future.
Key models from the Isuzu/ UD Trucks stand at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show included:
Giga Fuel Cell
Jointly developed with Honda Motor Co and attracting plenty of attention on stand, this heavy-duty Giga Fuel Cell truck went on display for the very first time anywhere in the world.
Since 2020, both Isuzu and Honda have strongly backed hydrogen fuel cell (FC) technology as the ideal solution for heavier loads over longer distances.
With production models slated for 2027, the pace of FC as genuine heavy-duty solution has definitely gathered pace in recent years.
Erga EV
The Erga EV bus is powered by a high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack that provides a range of up to 300 kilometres on a single charge.
It has a seating capacity of up to 90 passengers and is equipped with a variety of features to improve safety and comfort, including an automatic emergency braking system, a lane departure warning system, a unique blind spot monitoring system, adaptive cruise control, and even USB charging ports for sitting passengers.
N Series EV
The N Series EV is Isuzu’s first mass-produced Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), with variations of the stand example set to join the lineup in conjunction with the other light-duty diesel powered N-Series models in Australia during the imminent full model change.
Isuzu’s introductory zero emissions vehicle, the N Series EV is poised to be made available in a range of model variations and numerous configurations to help meet customer demand.