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New BYD Shark plug-in hybrid to attack UK pick-up truck market
BYD’s first pick-up truck will feature a plug-in hybrid set-up with more efficiency than a Ford Ranger
On sale Late 2026 Price from £39,408 (excl. VAT)
The 1975 blockbuster Jaws was hugely successful, earning high box-office returns, several awards and three sequels, but things weren’t so good for the main villain in the film: the great white shark. Following its release, the reputation of the great white shark went downhill, with many blaming the film for perpetuating bad stereotypes and worsening fears of swimming in the ocean. The new BYD Shark, then, has a lot to prove if it wants to gain the public’s approval.
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Taking a big swipe at the Ford Ranger, the Shark will be sold in one specification and with one power option. The truck's plug-in hybrid setup combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with two electric motors for a combined power output of 430bhp. The resulting 0-62mph sprint time of 5.7 seconds is far punchier than that of the Ranger PHEV. It will also be capable of officially travelling 55 miles on electric power alone thanks to its 32.2kWh battery, which is much farther than the 27 miles of the Ranger.
Eleanor Cooper & Darren Moss
Updated: 8 July 2026
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It's likely that a version of the Shark powered solely by a 429bhp 1.5-litre petrol engine will join the line-up soon after launch. That version is already sold in Australia. There are currently no plans for a version powered solely by diesel.
Inside, the Shark gets a 10.25in digital driver's display, a head-up display, and a 15.6in infotainment touchscreen. If our experiences in other BYD models are anything to go by, the setup should offer crisp graphics and snappy responses.
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Hoping to broaden the Shark's appeal beyond a working life, the truck will also be available with roof racks, a roof tent and vehicle-to-load charging, meaning you can use the car's electric power to charge up other devices.
Only trim level, DMO, will be offered, and it comes with everything drivers might want. That includes heated and ventilated front seats, a 360-degree parking camera and wireless smartphone charging.
In terms of its ability to move things, the Shark has a payload capacity of 790kg, and is rated to tow up to 2500kg – the equivalent of a large caravan. It's worth noting that the Ranger PHEV is rated to carry more than a tonne in its rear load bay.
The Shark could be a tempting offering for company car drivers, who no longer benefit from the tax breaks previously available with double-cab pick-up trucks. Since double-cabs are now classed as private instead of commercial vehicles, how much benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax you pay depends on the car’s CO2 emissions. The Shark has an official emissions figure of 23g/km, making it more efficient than the Ranger PHEV and means it falls in to the 10% tax band.
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With a starting price of £39,408 excluding VAT, the Shark just undercuts its biggest rival on price. It is, however, more expensive than the non-hybrid Mitsubishi L200 and Toyota Hilux.
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