Isuzu UK has announced its collaboration with Genie Insights, with its advanced solar technology offered as a bespoke factory-integrated option on the new Isuzu D-Max EV.
Designed to give fleet customers confidence in battery performance and range protection on EVs, the collaboration marks a significant step forward for integrated solar in the commercial vehicle sector, with systems installed before vehicles reach customers rather than being retrofitted later.
The new Isuzu D-Max EV is the first fully electric pick-up in the UK to offer more than a one-tonne payload alongside zero-emissions capability. Fleet operators now have the option to specify Genie Insights’ solar technology as part of the vehicle build.
The system is designed to support overall battery health and maintain the performance of onboard electrical systems. For fleets operating in demanding environments or relying heavily on auxiliary power, this provides additional peace of mind, helping to protect the 12v battery condition, while also preserving range over time.
The relationship between Genie Insights and Isuzu UK’s importer, IM Group, has developed through real-world fleet use. Early collaboration began via shared customer Network Rail, where diesel Isuzu D-Max vehicles were already in operation. Genie Insights has also deployed its solar technology across Network Rail’s wider fleet, fitting around 450 commercial vehicles (primarily vans) over the past two years.
Following a period of trials and evaluation with IM Group, the collaboration has evolved in response to clear customer demand for integrated solar capability and IM Group joins Genie Insights’ growing portfolio of partners. Today, Genie Insights supports a growing number of major UK fleets, having sold almost 15,000 solar PV systems for commercial vehicles across organisations such as British Gas and BT/Openreach.
The solar system itself has been designed specifically for commercial vehicle applications. It is a bespoke 75-watt, high-voltage solution fitted to the load bed roof. Measuring 947mm in length and 687mm in width, it weighs just 2.5kg and is just 3mm thick, designed with efficiency in mind, which is particularly important in EVs where weight can impact range.
Optimised for UK conditions, the CIGS technology generates energy from daylight rather than from direct sunlight. This means it’s able to operate effectively throughout the winter and in low-light conditions, proven through extensive real-world operation across six winters. It’s also designed to perform in partially shaded areas, with diodes on every other cell and is a true ‘fit-and-forget’ solution, requiring no change in driver behaviour.
Manufactured in the UK and fully compliant with ECE R10 Type Approval standards, the solution has been developed to ensure reliability and compliance.
Alan Able, managing director of Isuzu UK, said: “We’ve been on a great journey with Genie Insights, and the relationship we’ve built in a short space of time reflects the quality of the product and the collaboration behind it. Offering this solution on the Isuzu D-Max EV allows us to give customers an integrated, high-quality option that’s already been proven in fleet use, while maintaining the durability and capability expected from Isuzu.”
Matt Reeve, managing director at Genie Insights, said: “We’re delighted to be adding another OEM to our portfolio, and to be working with a prestigious brand like Isuzu UK. By working closely with Isuzu UK, we can offer a seamless route to having our solar technology fitted before vehicles enter operation, making it easy for fleets to benefit from a fully integrated solution from day one. This is a proven, fit-and-forget system that supports 12v battery health and gives operators added confidence in the reliability of their vehicles, particularly in demanding environments.”
