BYD has confirmed the arrival of its Shark plug-in hybrid double-cab pickup in the UK, priced from £47,290 including VAT.
Open for orders now, the Chinese brand’s first pickup truck combines its plug-in Super Hybrid DMO technology with claimed best-in-class technology to deliver a new rival to the Ford Ranger PHEV.
The 5.5m-long five-seat double cab has a towing capacity of 2,500kg and a maximum payload of 790kg. It also comes with a 1,200-litre load bay. Because its payload falls below the one-tonne threshold, VAT-registered businesses cannot reclaim the 20% VAT on the purchase price. Furthermore, under the latest HMRC regulations, the Shark is classified as a passenger car for both Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax and capital allowances.
The overall wheelbase is 3,260mm, and the relatively short overhangs help to deliver approach and departure angles of 31 and 19.3 degrees respectively.
Under the bonnet, the Super Hybrid Dual Mode Off-road (DMO) technology features a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine acting primarily as a generator for either the motors directly, or the Blade Battery that sits at the heart of the powertrain. On its own, it produces 150hp and 240Nm of torque. Dual electric motors deliver a combined 436hp and 650Nm of torque. This setup propels the truck from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds.
The battery gives up to 55.9 miles of pure-electric range while total range stands at 419 miles on a full charge and a full tank of petrol, giving a WLTP Weighted Fuel Consumption of 80.7mpg. With the battery at its lowest level, it returns 29.4mpg.
The technology is already seen in BYD’s cars such as the Seal U DM-i, Seal 6 DM-i Touring and the Sealion 5 DM-i. As with these models, the Shark’s DMO system optimises performance by switching between four distinct scenarios: pure electric driving, series hybrid operation for city efficiency, parallel hybrid mode for acceleration, and direct engine drive for high-speed cruising.
The Shark also features an intelligent all-wheel drive system that manages power delivery over four different types of terrain: sand, mud, snow and gravel. Its suspension configuration – double wishbones at the front and rear – is designed to mix comfort with capability over a wide variety of surfaces, and Hill Descent Control is fitted as standard.
Recharging the battery from 15% to 100% takes just over three hours when hooked up to a three-phase 11kW AC charger – and for faster refills, standard 55kW DC charging can take the battery from 30% to 80% in 21 minutes.
The Shark can also power up devices thanks to onboard 6.6kW vehicle-to-load functionality, accessed from either of two plug sockets.
The exterior features a rugged design that, as the name suggests, takes inspiration from sharks. The new pickup entrant sits on 18-inch wheels and chunky tyres, and drivers can choose from the standard shade, Atlantis Blue, plus Obsidian Black, Polar White, Grey Green and Sunrise Orange.
The interior is set up for comfort, with heated and ventilated front sports seats and softer materials in all key areas, and focuses on ease of use, with a column gear shifter and big buttons that are easy to access.
The Shark is offered in a single trim level. Cabin comforts include vegan-leather upholstery and a 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system.
The fascia features BYD’s typical two-screen layout – a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a best-in-class 15.6-inch touchscreen with navigation, voice assistant and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also a head-up display, remote control via the BYD app for advanced heating and cooling of the cabin, a 50W wireless smartphone-charging pad, exterior ‘puddle’ lights, front and rear parking sensors with a 360-degree view camera, and keyless entry and keyless start.
The Shark’s fully flat floor means better space for three sets of feet, while there’s almost 90cm of legroom to match excellent headroom and elbow room and a car-like rear seat-back angle of 27 degrees.
Stella Li, executive vice president of BYD, said: “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 or comfort.”
Orders are open now, with deliveries due in Q4 2026.
