There were robots, autonomous machines and plenty of talk about the future at VoltWorx26, but the vehicle attracting some of the biggest interest was one designed for a very different job... getting real work done.
The new Isuzu D-Max EV starred at the inaugural sustainability event, giving fleet operators and businesses the opportunity to put the zero-emission pick-up through its paces and find out whether electric power really is ready to replace diesel on the worksite.
Held at Plumpton College in East Sussex, VoltWorx26 was organised by Isuzu dealer Crawfords Group in partnership with the college and brought together more than 150 delegates from local authorities, education, professional sport, ground care and fleet organisations.
The event focused on electrification, robotics and sustainable technologies, with manufacturers, technology providers, educators and sustainability specialists all showing off how working equipment is changing.
Visitors were able to test drive the new model with Crawfords Group Isuzu and discuss how an electric pick-up could fit into their own fleets and working environments.
Much of the conversation centred on the practical realities of switching to electric power, including charging, running costs, tax, total cost of ownership and whether an EV can genuinely cope with the demands placed on a working pick-up.
Isuzu is also targeting businesses attracted by quieter operation and lower local emissions, particularly those working in urban areas, environmentally sensitive locations or organisations with fleet decarbonisation targets.
The D-Max EV also brings tax advantages compared with a diesel pick-up, including lower benefit-in-kind company car tax for drivers using one as a company vehicle.
Away from the test drives, VoltWorx26 featured keynote presentations from the Energy Saving Trust and Brighton & Hove Albion FC, while panel discussions and breakout sessions explored charging infrastructure, workforce skills and the practical implementation of electric vehicles and machinery.
Alan Able, managing director of Isuzu UK, said: “We’re delighted the new Isuzu D-Max EV continues to receive a high level of interest at events like this following its launch this year, with our zero-emission pick-up now being delivered to customers within diverse environments where sustainability, low operating costs and tax efficiencies are sought after.
“Congratulations to Crawfords Group on their initiative in organising an event such as VoltWorx26.”
Wes Crawford, managing director of Crawfords Group, said the D-Max EV gave operators a way of cutting emissions without abandoning the capabilities that make pick-ups useful in the first place.
“The launch of the Isuzu D-Max EV pick-up is an important new option for businesses that want to reduce emissions without moving away from the capability they expect from a working pick-up,” he said.
“With full-time four-wheel drive, a one-tonne payload and a 3.5-tonne towing capacity, it demonstrates that electrification can be practical for demanding commercial and fleet operations.
“VoltWorx26 gave customers the opportunity to explore such developments and have honest conversations about where electric vehicles can work within their businesses.”
And while the robots may have provided the glimpse into tomorrow, the D-Max EV arguably had the easier message to sell.
It is not promising some distant vision of what working vehicles might eventually become. It is an electric pick-up that can carry a tonne, tow 3.5 tonnes and send drive to all four wheels today.
Sometimes the future is considerably more convincing when it turns up wearing a load bed.
