Isuzu partners to develop new zero-emissions trucks, autonomous vehicles

Isuzu North America Corporation is announcing the development of an all-new, zero-emission Isuzu class 6 & 7 truck utilizing an Accelera by Cummins powertrain for both the United States and Canada. This truck represents the first zero-emissions solution facilitated by the Isuzu Cummins Powertrain Partnership formed in May 2019. 

Powered by Accelera’s next generation lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology, this new Isuzu medium duty truck will support customers in achieving zero emissions while providing all the benefits associated with a low cab forward chassis. Current plans for the vehicle’s availability are slated for 2026.

This addition will further broaden Isuzu’s product line-up and powertrain offerings providing customers in the medium duty segment (class 6 & 7) a zero-emission option.

“With the start of production of our Isuzu class 5 N-Series EV coming this summer and with the future addition of the Isuzu battery electric class 6 & 7 truck, we will be able to provide zero emission solutions across our product line-up. This will also improve the breadth of our overall offerings providing customers the ability to choose the product and propulsion system that best fits their needs,” says Shaun Skinner, Executive Officer, Isuzu Motors Limited.

“Partnership and collaboration is critical to supporting customers through the energy transition. Together with Isuzu, and our joint commitment to innovation, we will provide customers with safe, reliable zero-emissions solutions,” adds Amy Davis, president, Accelera by Cummins.

Additionally, Isuzu Motors Limited and Gatik AI, Inc. have agreed to further enhance the development of the North American autonomous driving business. Isuzu will invest $30 million in Gatik, forging a partnership between the two companies in the pursuit of realizing mobility services based on level 4 autonomous driving.

Current Autonomous Vehicle are being developed by Gatik based on Isuzu’s F-Series.

The agreement between Isuzu and Gatik is focused on the development of middle mile autonomous driving and will include the design and development of a new chassis (redundant chassis) that ensures safety when equipped with an autonomous driving system. In April 2024, as part of its mid-term business plan, "ISUZU Transformation - Growth to 2030 (IX),” Isuzu committed to the establishment of three new business pillars for the future: (1) autonomous driving solutions, (2) connected services and (3) carbon neutral solutions. In an effort to develop autonomous driving solutions, Isuzu has partnered with Gatik with the aim of launching a level 4 autonomous commercial vehicle business in 2027.

Gatik provides autonomous middle mile logistics services in North America, using Class 3-7 autonomous driving trucks to deliver goods safely and efficiently. The company is particularly focused on middle mile B2B logistics for large companies, and in 2021 it also successfully completed fully driverless commercial middle mile deliveries. Gatik's Class 3-7 autonomous driving trucks are currently commercially deployed in Texas, Arkansas and Ontario, Canada.

Through this partnership, Isuzu will enter the middle mile autonomous driving business in the LCF segment, where the company has already established a market leadership position in the United States and Canada. This advanced technology will also allow Isuzu to actively address pressing issues facing the industry, such as the worsening driver shortage and rapidly increasing delivery needs in North America. Moreover, the two companies will jointly design and develop a new chassis with safety performance that is compatible with the installation of an autonomous driving system with the aim of starting mass production in 2027.