The BYD Shark plug-in hybrid pickup will cost from £47,290 including VAT when it arrives in the UK later this year.
The Shark is BYD’s first pickup and brings the Chinese brand’s ‘Super Hybrid DMO’ plug-in hybrid technology to a sector still dominated by diesel models.
Plug-in hybrid power
Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors, giving the Shark all-wheel drive and a combined system output of 436hp and 650Nm of torque. BYD claims 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds, making it one of the quickest pickups on sale.
The front electric motor produces 231hp and 310Nm, while the rear motor adds 204hp and 340Nm. The petrol engine produces 150hp and 240Nm on its own, but in normal use it mostly acts as a generator for the electric drive system or battery.
The Shark uses a 32.2kWh BYD Blade Battery — large by plug-in hybrid pickup standards, and enough to give an electric-only range of 55 miles under WLTP testing, with a total combined range of 419 miles from a full battery and full 60-litre petrol tank.
Official fuel economy is 80.7mpg, while fuel consumption with the battery at its lowest level is quoted at 29.4mpg. CO2 emissions are rated at 23g/km.
Charging from 15% to 100% takes 3.2 hours using an 11kW AC charger, while 55kW DC charging can take the battery from 30% to 80% in 21 minutes.
Low payload, but low tax
At 5,457mm long, the Shark is a whale, significantly longer than a Ford Ranger, although with a similar 3,260mm wheelbase. That gives it ground clearance of 230mm when unladen, with approach and departure angles of 31 degrees and 19.3 degrees respectively.
It’s built around a ladder-frame chassis, with double-wishbone suspension at the front and rear, and uses an intelligent all-wheel-drive system with terrain modes for sand, mud, snow and gravel.
The load bed has a volume of 1,200 litres, but payload limits are just 790kg, while towing is restricted to 2.5 tonnes. The Shark therefore falls short of the one-tonne threshold normally expected of a VAT-reclaimable commercial pickup, so most businesses will not be able to treat it like a conventional one-tonne diesel double-cab for VAT purposes.
However, the company car tax position is more favourable than a normal diesel double-cab pickup. With CO2 emissions of 23g/km and a 55-mile electric range, the Shark sits in a 10% Benefit-in-Kind band for 2026/27, rather than the 37% rate that applies to many diesel double-cab pickups following the latest tax changes.
That makes the pricing more interesting than it first appears. The Shark starts from £47,290 including VAT, while a comparable Ford Ranger PHEV Wildtrak (with a shorter 27-mile WLTP electric range) is listed from £44,900 plus VAT, making the Ford considerably more expensive on an on-the-road VAT-inclusive comparison. The BYD won’t suit every working operator, particularly those needing a one-tonne payload or 3.5-tonne towing, but for company users who can live within its limits, the numbers look competitive.
The Shark starts from £47,290 including VAT, while a comparable Ford Ranger PHEV Wildtrak is listed from £44,900 plus VAT, making the Ford considerably more expensive on an on-the-road VAT-inclusive comparison, although it offers stronger working credentials.
And while the payload might be low, vehicle-to-load technology is standard. The system can provide up to 6.6kW of power for external devices, using either the vehicle’s AC charging port or a socket in the load bed. BYD says the system can be used for tools, leisure equipment or devices such as coffee machines and power washers.
Plush interior
Inside, the Shark gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, head-up display and a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, which BYD says is the largest screen in any pickup. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, along with navigation, voice control, remote app functions and a 50W wireless phone charger.
Standard equipment also includes vegan-leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system, keyless entry and start, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera.
Safety and driver assistance equipment includes Intelligent and Adaptive Cruise Control, Front and Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Brake, Forward and Rear Collision Warning, Lane Departure Assistant with Emergency Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Hill Hold Control, seven airbags, ISOFIX points and tyre pressure monitoring.
The Shark will be available in five colours: Atlantis Blue, Obsidian Black, Polar White, Grey Green and Sunrise Orange. It gets 18-inch black and silver alloy wheels as standard, with all-black 18-inch wheels available as an option.
Stella Li, executive vice president of BYD, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Super Hybrid to the pickup segment with the Shark. This type of vehicle really benefits from our DMO Super Hybrid technology, offering pure-electric capability, the most power in the class, excellent off-road capability, outstanding efficiency and long-distance flexibility.
“The market for plug-in hybrid pickups is expanding rapidly, and we’re confident that the Shark will be really appreciated by customers across Europe who want this type of vehicle but aren’t willing to compromise on efficiency. But with 436hp, 55 miles of electric range, 6.6kW vehicle-to-load capability and a 10% BIK position for 2026/27, it could be a serious contender for lifestyle buyers and company users who want a plug-in hybrid pickup without diesel running costs.
Deliveries are due to begin in Q4 2026, with the Shark offered in a single high-spec trim level.
