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BYD has entered the UK’s commercial vehicle segment with the introduction of the Shark, a plug-in hybrid pick-up truck that combines sports car-like performance with an impressive electric-only range of nearly 60 miles.

This marks the UK’s second plug-in hybrid pick-up offering, following the petrol-electric version of the top-selling Ford Ranger. On paper, however, the BYD Shark surpasses its Ford rival in several key performance metrics.

The Shark’s powertrain, dubbed the ‘Super Hybrid’ system, delivers a total of 430bhp through a combination of a four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors positioned on each axle, providing full-time four-wheel drive capability.

This output gives the Shark a 153bhp advantage over the Ford Ranger PHEV, allowing it to accelerate from 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds — faster than a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

Underneath, the vehicle features a substantial 32.2kWh battery pack mounted under the floor, which is claimed to deliver up to 56 miles of electric-only range — more than twice the range of the Ranger. The battery supports fast charging at up to 55kW.

Similar to other BYD plug-in hybrids, the Shark can operate in either parallel hybrid mode, where both the engine and electric motors drive the wheels together, or in series hybrid mode, where the engine functions solely to recharge the battery.

According to BYD, the Shark’s performance characteristics are “far beyond what conventional diesel pick-ups can achieve.” The company highlights its 479lb ft of torque, a WLTP-certified fuel efficiency of nearly 81mpg, a towing capacity of 2500kg, and a 1200-litre load bed capacity.

The pick-up also includes vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, allowing it to supply power to tools and other electrical equipment directly from its battery — a handy feature for work sites or outdoor activities.

For off-road use, the Shark offers approach and departure angles of 31 degrees and 19.3 degrees respectively, along with four-wheel drive, hill descent control, and selectable drive modes for Sand, Mud, Snow, and Gravel conditions.

However, the Shark’s load-carrying capacity is rated at 790kg, which falls short of the 1000kg threshold required for classification as a commercial vehicle in the UK. As a result, it does not qualify for VAT exemption for business buyers, unlike the Ranger PHEV. Pricing for the Shark starts at £47,290 — roughly equivalent to the Ford — though business users would save around 20% with the Ranger due to VAT relief.

BYD will offer the Shark in a single, fully loaded trim level. Standard features include faux leather upholstery with heated and ventilated front seats, a 10.25-inch digital driver display, a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with smartphone connectivity, wireless phone charging, and a 360-degree camera system.

Customer deliveries for the BYD Shark are scheduled to begin towards the end of the year.