It's coming! 2024 BYD electric and hybrid ute readying its Aussie launch to take on Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux

The decade of the electrified ute is upon us, and slowly manufacturers of some of the nation’s most popular models have admitted they’ll need to start finding ways to make battery power work for Aussies. But China has already gotten there first.

Relative newcomer to the Australian market BYD is testing an electric ute in its home market, but by the end of next year we expect to see the BYD ute on our roads.

It’s not going to be the first to market here, LDV has already claimed that title with its pricey eT60, but it could be the first to sell in meaningful numbers, especially since the big local players like Toyota and Ford are yet to announce solid plans for electric or hybrid utes.

Read More About LDV T60

BYD Ute will have 'Australian pulse': Local experts will help design and testing of all-electric Toyota HiLux rival from China Is this a BYD ute to compete against Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger? Spy shots have rumours circulating that BYD's next move could be building an electrified dual-cab pick-up Everything you need to know about BYD cars

Camouflage test versions of the BYD ute have been spied in China, but we’ve created a render to accompany the information we have on the model.

EV Direct boss Luke Todd, whose company distributes BYD cars in Australia, visited the brand’s headquarters in China to help with development of the ute to ensure suitability for Australian conditions.

He said the brand is “engineering the global ute/pick-up to Australian conditions”, with employees from EV Direct set to be "influential in the design and testing of the new model".

“There will be Australians working on the team to develop the vehicle,” Mr Todd told CarsGuide in December 2022.

“I’d go so far as to say it is a co-developed vehicle. It will be built for the world but have an Australian pulse.”

While Mr Todd was unable to confirm any specifications, he was quick to point out (without actually pointing to it as a specific competitor) that the BYD ute will outperform the already-launched LDV eT60 electric ute, which has been widely criticised for its high price of $92,990 before on-road costs and low towing capacity of 1000kg. 

“It will be developed for Australian use,” Mr Todd said. “It will be able to tow your boat or caravan. I can’t give you an exact number but, rest assured, it will be higher than 1000kg.”

'Don't expect the ute to look too much like the Atto 3 electric SUV.'

Reports from Chinese outlet CarNewsChina say that in China it will be available with a plug-in hybrid version, powered by a 1.5-litre turbo engine with either one or two electric motors, and spy shots show an ‘engine’ light symbol on its digital driver display.

It also says outputs will range from 134kW to 373kW, though it’s unclear if this includes the fully electric version.

Whether Australia sees both drivetrains is uncertain, but BYD’s ability to pick up pace quickly in a new market is proven by its 2113 sales of the Atto 3 electric car in 2022, its debut year.

If the Atto 3’s pricing is anything to go by, it’s unlikely the ute will see a price as high as the LDV’s low-$90K starting cost.