Shark sighting
The introduction of the Commonwealth Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES), which came into effect on 1 January, is already having an impact on the types of new vehicles being offered.
The NVES aims to lower the tailpipe emissions of Australia’s new vehicle fleet by imposing fees of $100 per gram over the vehicle’s CO2 target. Diesel-powered utes are among the vehicle types likely to be most adversely impacted by the new standard, with car makers scrambling to add more low- and zero-emissions models to their fleets.
Chinese car maker BYD is among the first movers, with the late 2024 introduction of its Shark 6 petrol-electric, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) dual-cab 4x4 ute. The Shark 6 promises up to 800km of combined-cycle driving courtesy of its twin electric motors, 29.58kWh LFP battery and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine. Priced from $57,900 (RRP) the BYD will go head-to-head with the more expensive Ford Ranger PHEV, due in mid 2025, which boasts a larger 2.3-litre turbocharged fourcylinder EcoBoost petrol engine and 10-speed automatic gearbox with a 75kW electric motor and 11.8kW battery.
Expected to be priced from $70,000 (RRP) the Ford can’t match the BYD’s price but it will outperform it in the towing stakes, with the Blue Oval promising its new petrolelectric ute will maintain the full 3500kg braked towing capacity of ICE-powered Rangers.
To read more head to the BYD website.