Isuzu has developed a vehicle platform that can be used for 1,500 types of vehicles for use in logistics and other industries, where demand for electric trucks is growing. The automaker looks to sell the trucks for around the same price as those powered by diesel in the future.

Chinese manufacturers are expanding their EV truck businesses in Japan, such as 1 ton-class light vehicles and vans, which are mainly used for transport in residential areas. Isuzu will concentrate on larger trucks with 2 to 3 tons of load capacity that can be used for moving and construction.

Isuzu’s electric trucks will be made at its main factory in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, southwest of Tokyo. The company aims to turn out around 10,000 electric trucks annually by 2030, including hybrid vehicles.

The automaker has changed the basic design of its diesel vehicles for the first time in 16 years to match the rollout of its electric trucks with the newly developed vehicle platform.

This is aimed at reducing costs by allowing the same parts and production lines to be used for electric and diesel-powered vehicles.

Electric trucks are estimated to cost twice as much as their diesel counterparts, not including subsidies, but Isuzu aims to price them competitively with diesel trucks.

At present, diesel-powered trucks with 2 to 3 tons of load capacity are priced at about US$35,000-US$44,000.

Isuzu also hopes to beat out rivals by catering to customers’ specific needs, such as changing load capacity and designing refrigerated trucks.

The transport sector accounts for 20% of Japan’s carbon dioxide emissions, of which about 40% comes from freight transport, according to the Environment Ministry.

As more companies step up their efforts to decarbonise, commercial vehicles are expected to shift to electric and fuel cell vehicles.