It’s no secret that Australian motorists are making a concerted effort to save money on fuel right now, and ute owners are among those looking to avoid visits to the pump.
As such, interest in electrified pickups is on the rise, with plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) such as the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, and Ford Ranger Hybrid gaining the most traction.
Purely electric (EV) alternatives including the KGM Musso EV and Toyota HiLux BEV promise even greater fuel savings, albeit at the expense of dual-fuel versatility.
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But which of these new-age utes, if any, are actually worth buying?
Well, in case you haven’t checked out our latest CarExpert Choice Awards, we named the Cannon Alpha PHEV as Australia’s Best Electrified Ute after it scored the most points across our editorial team.
Want a little more depth? Here’s what each member of CarExpert‘s editorial team has to say on the subject.
Marton Pettendy, Managing Editor
Ford Ranger Hybrid
We named the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV as Australia’s Best Electrified Ute in the 2026 CarExpert Choice Awards because it attracted the most editorial points for its exceptional value (from $54,480 drive-away), large battery, long electric range, low fuel consumption, 3500kg towing capacity, and comprehensive equipment list including three diff locks.
The BYD Shark 6 is even quicker and more powerful, especially in new 2.0-litre Performance guise, which also offers 3500kg towing, but it’s not quite as cheap or frugal, and offers slightly less range.
Which leaves the Ford Ranger Hybrid (PHEV) in the sweet spot, with a new low starting price of $59,000 drive-away splitting those of its Chinese rivals, and an unbeatable combination of refinement, technology, safety tech integration, ride/handling and off-road capability.
The smallest battery of this trio means the shortest EV range, but it also preserves the 800kg-plus payload of a traditional workhorse, and tradies and campers will love the Ranger Hybrid’s V2L capability.
And while the only petrol-powered Ranger available in Australia – apart from the Raptor – also has the lowest output of these three PHEV dual-cabs, it still delivers a healthy 697Nm of torque and its bigger turbo-petrol engine means better performance when battery charge fades.
Throw in the local development work behind Australia’s only homegrown ute, the backing of a century-old automaker and its extensive dealer network, and the fact the Ranger is not only CarExpert’s Best Ute for 2026 but also Australia’s favourite new vehicle for good reason, and the Ranger Hybrid is the electrified ute I’d buy.
MORE: Explore the Ford Ranger showroom
William Stopford, News Editor
GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
I’ll take the GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV, thanks.
The BYD Shark 6 now offers a more capable Performance variant, and even lesser examples of the Chinese ute come with what I’d consider the smoothest plug-in hybrid powertrain in the segment.
However, the Cannon Alpha PHEV delivers a smoother, more SUV-like ride and a similarly plush cabin, while GWM has developed it from the outset with a greater emphasis on towing and off-road capability.
It’s not perfect. The spare tyre integration is goofy, as is that silly little graphic of the car on the dashboard. And sure, it doesn’t have that cool factor the Shark 6 seems to have, which explains why the BYD can be found on seemingly every street in Brisbane.
Nevertheless, the GWM is an impressive plug-in hybrid ute, and if it’s a bit too luxe for you, a more affordable plug-in hybrid version of its smaller Cannon sibling is coming soon.
MORE: Explore the GWM Cannon Alpha showroom
James Wong, Marketplace Editor
GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
I see electrification as a spectrum between mild-hybrid and full-EV, but it feels like a lot of it in the ute segment in particular is a bit of tokenism.
The Toyota HiLux’s 48V V-Active system is more or less the addition of engine idle-stop function with a larger battery than overseas models that already had the tech, while the Ranger PHEV arrived with much hype but less than 50km of EV range, which feels a little behind the times.
While the BYD Shark 6 impresses with its EV-like driving performance and refinement, it lacks the capability and breadth of variant options to suit a lot of ute buyers – at least it did until the Performance and Cab Chassis versions were released recently.
The GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV combines the capability demanded by traditional ute buyers with the sort of luxuries and tech that the Shark offers, along with about 100km of real-world zero-emissions range. If your ute is also your family camping chariot, it shapes as a very compelling option.
With that said, as someone who views utes strictly as specialist or commercial vehicles, I’m intrigued by the new HiLux BEV. Simple, no-nonsense and no-emissions, it takes all the tech advancements of the latest HiLux and adds a powertrain that suits its new look.
I’m yet to drive one, but it’s pretty unique in the market and will likely cater to 90 per cent of what most ute drivers actually need.
MORE: Explore the GWM Cannon Alpha showroom
Ben Zachariah, Road Test Editor
BYD Shark 6
Having attended the launch of the BYD Shark 6 Performance recently – which you can read about here – the event really solidified, in my mind, how good the Shark is.
Sure, it’s not perfect, and the competition in this space is getting fiercer by the day, but the BYD drives well, offers excellent economy and electric range, and is obscenely well built for the money.
It also has pretty much any mod-con I could ask for, while retaining the practicality of a dual-cab 4×4 ute.
The improvements to the Performance are noticeable and worthwhile, but I’d probably save my shekels and just go with a Shark 6 Premium, as the interior is cooler and easier to use.
MORE: Explore the BYD Shark 6 showroom
Damion Smy, Deputy News Editor
Toyota HiLux BEV
I’d take a HiLux EV. It will likely have been through the wringer during development testing, and Toyota can’t afford to damage its hard-won reputation with a flawed product launch.
That plays into the brand’s strengths around quality, longevity, resale value and overall ownership experience. And even if issues do arise, Toyota is unlikely to leave owners high and dry.
The bZ4X electric SUV is also becoming a more compelling proposition now it’s available at a more competitive price, and Toyota appears willing to use its considerable war chest after years of strong sales to respond with sharper products.
The Chinese brands have truly arrived – or at least one of them has – but don’t write off Toyota just yet.
MORE: Explore the Toyota HiLux showroom
Josh Nevett, Deputy Marketplace Editor
BYD Shark 6
China did it first, and China does it best.
Both the Shark and Cannon Alpha are excellent examples of what electrification can bring to the ute space, but as a city-slicker I’m siding with the marine predator based on its discounted purchase price, superior on-road dynamics, and upmarket interior.
And while the GWM has previously been considered a better bet for hard work – namely towing and off-roading – the new Shark 6 Performance can haul 3.5 tonnes thanks to a stronger powertrain, plus upgraded brakes and suspension. It’s allegedly a little better than other variants off the blacktop, too.
With that in mind, ute buyers are running out of reasons to ignore BYD’s breakthrough dual-cab.
MORE: Explore the BYD Shark 6 showroom
Max Davies, Marketplace Journalist
BYD Shark 6
It’s a simple answer. BYD was the first to roll out a plug-in hybrid ute, and it hit the nail on the head almost immediately.
It’s smooth, it’s powerful, and its interior feels very premium without losing much in sturdiness – at least that’s the case with the Premium. That’s the variant I’d still go for, because while the Cab Chassis and Performance versions have their own merits, the Premium still strikes the best balance across its standard equipment, driving dynamics, and price.
It may not match the off-road capabilities of the Ranger or Cannon Alpha, but it certainly does more than enough to cement itself as a worthy option on the road.
MORE: Explore the BYD Shark 6 showroom
Sean Lander, Head of Video
GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV
The current options on this list are pretty slim pickings. But I have pointed a number of people to buy a Cannon Alpha over anything else so I’m going to stick by my recommendation.
Irritating ADAS functions aside, which I would find a way to permanently disable if I had one in my garage, it’s the best ‘pickup’ of the bunch. It delivers capable towing, a decent load tray, better fuel economy than the Shark, and a real driveline with mechanical differentials rather than simulated, plus the ability for the petrol engine to drive the wheels at any speed.
It’s really comfortable, very spacious and looks pretty tough. All things you want in your pickup. I also really like the barn-door tailgate – something my fellow short folk can appreciate!
But acceleration times and spec sheet numbers aside, it just feels more like a work truck, which is what a pickup should be. It’s the closest thing to the ethos of a ute currently available in Australia (in the context of this op-ed).
It’s not faultless, not by any means. The ADAS really needs work and I hope GWM can get on top of that soon. We still sometimes have issues where it continues to accelerate even after applying brake pressure, and the biggest downfall is the infotainment system. All reports indicate they can’t fit GWM’s new CoffeeOS to the pre-existing system due to hardware limitations, which is a real shame because the Cannon is starting to feel a bit old now by comparison.
All that said, from the options currently on the table, and for the price, the Cannon Alpha PHEV would be the one for me.