BYD Shark 6 PHEV a game-changer for off-roaders and tradies
There’s something special about heading to the beach early in the morning – gear packed and the promise of sun, surf, and salt air ahead.
But this time, the journey has a twist: I’m driving the BYD Shark 6, one of Australia’s first plug-in hybrid electric utes.
With the arrival of models like the Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha, and Ford Ranger PHEV, plug-in hybrids are entering the light commercial and off-road space, offering a compelling mix of electric efficiency and rugged capability.
Unlike conventional hybrids, PHEVs can be charged from the grid and typically offer 60–100 km of electric-only range – enough for most daily commutes.
When the weekend rolls around, you have the backup of the petrol engine, if required, to take you wherever your adventure leads.
Testing the Shark 6 on sand
On a sunny Queensland morning, we head to Noosa North Shore to see how the Shark 6 PHEV ute handles the sand.
After the trip from Brisbane, about 60% of the 30kWh battery had been used, so the BYD switched seamlessly to parallel hybrid mode, where the petrol engine and electric motors work together.
The combined output of two electric motors and a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine is a hefty 321kW of power and 650Nm of torque.
To put that in perspective, the Ford Ranger V6 diesel, a favourite among off-roaders, produces 184kW and 600Nm.
The extra grunt of the Shark 6’s PHEV powertrain makes a real difference.
A power cord runs from the Shark 6 to power appliances. Photos Dave Pattinson.
With Sand mode engaged and tyre pressures dropped to 18psi, we cruise onto the beach north of Noosa.
There’s none of your old-school locking hubs or fiddling with a transfer case to engage low range – you just point the Chinese ute at the track and away you go.
After decades of driving petrol and diesel utes across beaches and bush tracks, I can honestly say this was one of the easiest and most capable vehicles I’ve driven in soft conditions.
The vehicle floated across the soft sand effortlessly, never once feeling like it might bog down. Later, having found the perfect spot for an overnight campsite, we pull up, eager to experience another benefit of PHEVs – their ability to power appliances.
The power outlet in the tray of the Shark 6.
Power at the campsite
With the Shark 6’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, we had access to two standard 240V power outlets in the tray, capable of delivering up to 6kW.
That’s more than enough to run a fridge, coffee machine, induction cooktop, lights, and chargers – all without the need for a generator.
In our case, with the battery back up to 50%, having opted to to store rather than use energy from the generator for driving, and a modest 300W draw from our camping setup, we could have powered everything for about 50 hours.
Add a portable solar panel, and you’re practically off-grid.
More than just for campers
For tradespeople, this setup can also run tools on-site, and it’s a very handy backup for anyone dealing with a power outage at home.
Of course, off-road adventurers have long been able to add a 12V system to a petrol or diesel four-wheel drive, or carry fuel and a generator – but that adds cost and complexity.
Having 240V power built into your vehicle from the factory represents a potential saving of thousands of dollars, and it’s ready to go whenever you are.
If you’re in the market for a new four-wheel drive – whether for work, play, or both – it’s worth considering a PHEV.
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