BYD launched the Shark, its first pickup in the UK and across Europe, priced from about $63,000, with 56 miles of pure-electric range. Powered by its Super Hybrid plug-in powertrain, BYD claims the Shark “brings performance far in advance of what can be achieved by traditional diesel pickups.”
BYD launches the Shark PHEV in Europe, its first pickup
While pickup trucks are a way of life in the US, they’re starting to carve out a place for themselves in Europe and the UK, thanks to more efficient, electrified options.
After opening orders for the Shark on Wednesday, BYD’s executive vice president, Stella Li, said the market for plug-in hybrid pickups is “expanding rapidly.”
The Shark is BYD’s first pickup that’s already on sale in Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Chile, Peru, and several other global markets.
Powered by its plug-in Super Hybrid DMO powertrain, the PHEV pickup offers “pure-electric capability, the most power in the class, excellent off-road capability, outstanding efficiency, and long-distance flexibility,” according to Li.
The Shark is equipped with two electric motors, one in the front and another on the rear, delivering a combined 430 hp (436 PS) and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) of torque.
BYD’s pickup offers “sports-car rivaling” performance with a 0-to-100 km/h (0-to-62 mph) acceleration time of just 5.7 seconds.
The DMO plug-in powertrain is designed to offer an “EV-first” driving experience with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that powers the motors directly or the battery.
With a 32.2 kWh Blade Battery, the largest in its class, BYD’s pickup offers a pure electric range of 55.9 miles. On a full tank and full charge, the Shark can travel 419 miles and has a WLTP Weighted Fuel Consumption of 80.7 mpg.
BYD’s pickup offers significantly more EV range than the Ford Ranger PHEV, which has a pure-electric driving range of just 27 miles (43 km).
Measuring 5,457 mm in length, 1,971 mm in width, and 1,925 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,260 mm, the Shark is also slightly larger than the Ranger.
With standard 55 kW DC fast charging, the plug-in pickup’s battery can recharge from 30% to 80% in about 21 minutes.
The “Dual Mode” of BYD’s DMO powertrain refers to both EV and HEV drive modes. In EV mode, as expected, the vehicle is powered exclusively by the electric motors. In HEV mode, the gas engine powers the motor or recharges the battery to extend range.
BYD’s pickup is equipped with an intelligent all-wheel-drive system with four drive modes: Sand, Mud, Snow, and Gravel.
With the ability to tow over 5,550 lbs (2,500 kg) and a max payload of 1,741 lbs (790 kg), BYD said the Shark is well-suited to many work projects and different lifestyles.
According to BYD, the Shark pickup “brings performance far in advance of what can be achieved by traditional diesel pickups, along with class-leading efficiency.”
Inside, BYD’s pickup features a standard 10.25″ driver display cluster, a 15.6″ center infotainment screen (the largest in its class) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus an added head-up display (HUD).
The Shark offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities of up to 6.6 kW to power a work site, a laptop, a coffee machine, or other external electronics.
BYD opened orders for the PHEV pickup in the UK on Wednesday, starting at £47,290 ($63,000), including VAT. Customer deliveries are set to begin by the end of the year.
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