Bruce Newton’s best electrified car of 2024: BYD Shark 6

December 31, 2024December 30, 2024 Bruce Newton 6434 Views 0 Comments BMW iX3, BYD, Neue Klasse, polestar 3, Shark 6

I wrestled with this one for a while because the BYD Shark 6 was the vehicle that impressed me most in 2024. But it’s plug-in rather than pure electric.

If I did have to restrict myself purely to EVs then I’d probably opt for the Polestar 3, simply because it over-delivered on my expectations so much.

It is an exceptional drive, has a lovely cabin and acres of space.

But it also weighs 2.6 tonnes, costs $130,000, is only a five-seater and has one of those infuriating control systems where almost everything – even mirror and seat adjustment – is done through a digital screen. Gack!

So with a slight tweak of the headline it’s back to the BYD Shark 6. What’s key here is how it alters the accepted norms in the conservative and top-selling dual cab 4×4 ute segment so dramatically.

It primarily does that via a clever PHEV system, which subordinates the petrol engine to its two electric motors to try and make it run on electricity as much as possible.

2025 BYD Shark 6. Competent in the country.

It parlays that into strong, smooth and quiet everyday performance, making the diesels that dominate the segment seem anachronistic.

The BYD Shark 6 also solves – or at least is less challenged by – the range limitations that are such an issue for pure EV utes. The Shark can truly go outback, just take some jerry cans of petrol with you.

It also launches at a price and equipment level that resets the definition of value in the dual cab segment. It’s got lots of gear, high quality trims and the mosr comfortable back-seat in one-tonne ute-dom. It makes something like a Ford Ranger Platinum look crazily over-priced.

As if anyone needed more reminding, it’s another example of the immense capability of the Chinese auto industry.

But the Shark 6 is not perfect by any means. It’s a competent cross-country off-roader rather than a great mountain goat. Without low range or substantial rear axle articulation I think it’s going to find its limits sooner than the best of the off-road diesel 4x4s, such as the Toyota HiLux.

And make sure you change to all-terrain tyres before going off-road, because the standard Contis tend to deflate in that stuff.

So I guess I’m more a fan of the powertrain than the entire vehicle. With GWM and Ford both adding PHEV dual cab utes in 2025 – and surely more to follow – we’re entering a new and cleaner era for utes. That’s a good thing.

Biggest EV surprise of 2024: A buncha things

I can’t say one single thing surprised/shocked me to my core in the EV world in 2024. So instead, here’s a few random thoughts along the way.

Australia finally joins the ranks of modern, civilised nations in 2025 with the introduction of CO2 emissions restrictions on cars, utes and SUVs. The NVES has its flaws but as a step in the right direction goes it’s actually a giant leap. Some of the misleading opposition to it was ridiculous and proponents of what was baseless propaganda should be ashamed.

MG going on a tear with MG4 pricing. It paid off with hiked sales and reinforced yet again that a cheaper car sells more. Duh! The sub $30,000 EV is coming to Australia in 2025 I’m sure.

MG4 Excite 51. Prices electrified sales.

BMW’s clever FBT strategy paid off with a clear dominance of luxury segment and big EV sales that helped it stay steady in a tough market. It even ended the ICE career of one BMW model in Australia.

It was a genuine surprise Mercedes-Benz didn’t follow suit. Sales down 17.8 per cent in 2024 (with December to go), this was surely a way to address that. Maybe vehicle production timelines being what they are we’ll see more action from Benz in 2025.

Toyota’s insistence it would not drop the price of the obviously over-priced bZ4X battery electric vehicle. They’ve given up in the USA and lopped USD$6000 off the ask. About $10,000 would work here.

After years of EV proselytising in Australia, Volkswagen finally launched an electric vehicle here. But it wasn’t the overdue ID 3, ID 4 or ID 5 – nope still waiting for them. Instead the ID Buzz van got rolled out just before Christmas. Maybe more in 2025?

The heightening obsession with virtually all vehicle controls centred through touchscreens. I mean, not even a speedo in front of the driver. Like I said before, Gack!

My other pet hate of 2024 – and this applies beyond EVs (as does the screen thing) is poorly tuned driver assist systems ranging from lane keeping to driver monitoring. Calibration is not an option!

Great to see Chery introduce a full-size spare tyre with the Omoda E5. Personally, I think at least an emergency spare tyre should be mandatory in every new car sold in Australia today. Make it an Australian Design Rule! I’m sick of being stuck by the side of the road waiting for a flatbed because a jagged pothole has ripped the sidewall out of a tyre and there’s no spare.

The incredible ambition of the Chinese brands. While BYD’s desire to topple Toyota is pretty common knowledge these days, the likes of Leapmotor, Deepal, XPeng and Geely aren’t coming to Australia to be bit players. Out of all them, Geely looks like it has the muscle and mass to play hardball in a mature market overflowing with brands.

Elon Musk. Stephen Corby said it better than I ever could.

EV sales slowed in 2024 here and overseas – not that it was as bad here as some would have you believe. Be it consistent bad publicity stoking concerns about range, infrastructure and battery replacement costs; the economy, the early adopter market being saturated or a combination of all of the above, it was a time when electrification rather than pure electric stepped to the fore. Fascinating to see what happens next.

The electric car I’m most looking forward to in 2025: BMW iX3

It probably won’t arrive in Australia until 2026 but here’s hoping.

The upcoming BMW iX3 replacement in camouflage; the car is the first of the Neue Klasse EVs.

As the first Neue Klasse BMW, the second-generation mid-size electric SUV promises to be a huge technology step for the German luxury brand.

Cylindrical batteries, new chemistries, 800V electrical system, more efficient electric motors and control systems, a 20-25 per cent improvement in economy.

BMW is talking a big game!

But will it be a big enough step to keep BMW competitive, or will it still be one step behind the tech Tesla and the Chinese are capable of producing?

Let’s hope it is as good as BMW is suggesting, because the European car industry needs to accelerate its EV game.

In the process it would also be nice if the price didn’t go up a stupid amount compared to the current model. That would be as almost as imp[ressive as the tech!