BYD electric ute spied

A new spy photo in China has given the first glimpse of an alleged BYD electric ute – and it could be coming to Australia.

Since the Shenzhen automaker now only produces electrified plug-in hybrids and pure battery-electric vehicles, it’s unclear whether the mid-sized ute will be offered in both powertrains or just the latter.

But, the Chinese-made electric ute may fall under either BYD’s new upmarket Yangwang spinoff or separate yet-to-be announced sub-brand that’ll both launch next year.

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The heavily camouflaged spy shot doesn’t give much away of the purported BYD dual-cab pickup, besides an opening at the front-left fender where the charge port could sit.

BYD electric cars are sold in Australia via independent distributor EVDirect. But, it's been a rocky start after several backtracking moves and implementing odd specific warranty exclusions on the Atto 3 small crossover that’s currently on sale priced from $44,381 before on-road costs.

“It’s real,” EVDirect chief executive Luke Todd told Wheels previously.

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“It’s under development and I’ve seen it. We’d be looking to open pre-orders for it in 2023, for deliveries in late 2023.”

However, EVDirect is expected to sell the BYD Dolphin small hatchback and Seal sedan next year first, before focusing on other products in the pipeline.

If it does arrive in Australia, it’ll directly compete with the LDV eT60, Australia’s first full-electric ute at $92,990 before on-roads, and vye against popular combustion-engined ute models like the evergreen Toyota HiLux, Ford Ranger and GWM Ute, plus Brisbane startup Roev that’ll soon offer an electric conversion kit for the former two for fleets.