Undisguised BYD PHEV ute prototype spotted in Australia

A prototype BYD double cab PHEV ute with very little camouflage has been seen on public roads in Australia, with pictures taken of the vehicle appearing on the Chinese language website Autospy.net.

The Australian distributor for BYD confirmed to local media in early December that the vehicles were being tested to ensure suitability for local operating conditions.

Pictures of a fully camouflaged BYD ute being driven on the Princes Highway on a rainy day in Melbourne were previously shared on December 26 to the BYD EV Owners Australia Facebook page.

Auto Media Group understands the BYD ute will launch first as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in Australia and New Zealand, using the company’s Dual Motor Intelligence (DM-i) technology, but plans for a fully electric vehicle have not yet been confirmed.

Although BYD has not confirmed details of the PHEV powertrain, overseas media believe it will combine a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with two electric motors for a total output of more than 365kW.