Key Takeaways
- Environment Southland’s committee approved replacing up to four council vehicles with three BYD Shark 6 plug‑in hybrid utes and one MG S5 EV SUV.
- Field testing revealed a serious electrical fault that left the test vehicle stranded in a remote area, though the issue was resolved after the driver climbed to higher ground for reception.
- Despite the fault, the tester praised the ute’s driving dynamics, safety features, and suitability for council work.
- Council management acknowledged the incident as an extreme‑condition electrical fault but affirmed the hybrids as a positive, low‑emission addition, noting that conventional 4WDs remain available for the toughest conditions.
- Each BYD ute is estimated at $60,000, comparable to the diesel vehicles they would replace, and can travel the first 100 km of any trip in electric‑only mode.
- The council plans to dispose of four older vehicles (two Mazda utes, a Mitsubishi ute, and a Mazda SUV) to recoup about $55,000, which will offset the total replacement cost
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