The upcoming BYD electric ute is about to touch down in Australia.
The yet to be revealed new EV pickup truck will embark on a local engineering development drive within weeks – and around the same time the new BYD Seal arrives to tackle the Tesla Model 3 – ahead of its planned 2024 arrival.
Those initial examples will be plug-in hybrid EV versions that teams a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo engine with an electric motor.
It’ll be able to drive on electricity alone for shorter journeys while having the backup of a petrol engine to allow the touring range of any ute on the market.
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BYD Australia has assembled a team of five engineers claimed to have extensive experience with some of the top selling vehicles in the country.
BYD Australia managing director Luke Todd says the EV ute will have a broad range of capabilities that should put it in good stead against the class-leading Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.
“We had five of Australia’s top engineers that have worked on some of the best-selling vehicles in that category and they were mind-boggled as to the capabilities of this vehicle, what it could do, the ease of which it could do it … then flip straight into driving on the highway like it’s a luxury sedan.”
Todd says the Australian testing is a crucial final step in the development process for the new ute, which is believed to be built on a ladder frame architecture similar to those that underpin the entire breed of diesel-powered utes.
“We also want to make sure we do a lot of testing in Australia,” says Todd. “It’s commencing later this year and it’ll be very intensive. We’ll put it through its paces in all conditions.”
Of course it’s the full electric ute that many are eager to learn more about.
Todd says that is in development but will arrive later, likely 2025.
It’s one of many electric utes currently under development.
BYD Australia has assembled a “crack team” of engineers to ensure the company’s upcoming electrified ute currently undergoing testing and development is up to local expectations and conditions.
BYD Australia managing director Luke Todd says the team of five engineers with extensive experience on working on Australian vehicles has already been involved in the development of the upcoming dual-cab ute – and there’s plenty more to come.
While testing of the ute has so far been focused on China, it will divert to Australia late in 2023 ahead of the car’s 2024 arrival into dealerships.
And Todd says some of Australia’s smartest engineering minds are involved in the project, which has already included extensive off-road driving.
He says the team of five “developed, engineered and designed some of the highest selling products in Australia over the last 20 years” and that they are playing an integral role in ensuring the new ute is up to the punishment of Australian roads and demanding ute buyers.
He says it’s all about preparing the new ute for the ute battleground of Australia.
“We’ve invested a lot of money and time and effort in having our own top-notch engineers work on the project in partnership with BYD and that’s to ensure … every opportunity to meet or exceed what’s in the market.”
The BYD ute will use the brand’s DM-i (dual mode) hybrid technology, which allows electric only driving but has the backup of a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine for extended range and performance.
In 2025 there will also be a battery electric version that runs solely on electricity.
Todd says the BYD ute “will be attractive for your diehard, hardcore enthusiasts that love to go off-road on weekends”.
Like the BYD Atto 3 SUV it will also include a vehicle-to-load function that allows the car to act as a generator, supplying electricity to external devices such as camping gear or work tools.
The big question for the BYD ute is how much it will sell for.
When asked if it would play in the $50,000/$60,000/$70,000 sweet spot of the ute market, he very quickly said “yes”. Asked to clarify if that was the hybrid version as well as the BEV he also said yes.
So it appears BYD could soon send an electric hand grenade into the market segment dominated by diesel utes.
