Ford previews Ranger PHEV

Ford used the Mobility Live event in Melbourne this past October to present their Plug-In Hybrid version of the Ranger ute to the public for the first time. Unveiled alongside the ‘E-Transit Custom,’ a fully electric version of the Transit van, the Ranger PHEV then went on display at the Sydney International EV show on 8-10 November.

At both events, the Ranger hybrid presented was in limited-edition Stormtrak trim, which features specific cosmetic touches, along with new and exclusive Chill Grey paint.

“It’s really important that fleets wanting to decarbonise have access to vehicles that allow them to continue doing their work without the need to compromise,” says Myles Hartley, General Manager of Electric Vehicles, Ford Australia.

“Both the Ranger PHEV and E-Transit Custom have all the capability that makes their nameplates legendary around the world, with the added benefit of an electrified powertrain.”

A first for the Ranger platform, the Ranger PHEV is powered by a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, supported by an electric motor and battery pack. The electric motor offers 75kW and the battery pack has a capacity of 11.8kWh, but there are no figures as yet on the PHEV drivetrain’s combined power and torque.

The electric motor is integrated between the engine and 10-speed automatic transmission – creating what’s called a ‘modular hybrid transmission’. Four-wheel drive with low range and a rear diff lock are standard.

The 75kW motor is said to be good for more than 45km of electric-only driving, while the battery can be used as a power source for tools on the work site, or lighting, entertainment and cooking at the campsite. There are two 3.45kW plugs in the tray and one 2.3kW outlet in the cabin.

Selectable drive modes in the Ranger PHEV cover the usual four-wheel drive options, but a Sport mode is added, along with four EV-specific modes to suit different driving requirements and driver preferences.

‘Auto EV’ chooses the best mode – petrol only, electric only or combined power - and will be the default. ‘EV Now’ runs the vehicle solely off the electric motor, while ‘EV Later’ retains a percentage of charge in the battery to run off electric power at a later time. Finally, ‘EV Charge’ uses the petrol engine to recharge the battery while driving.

In the electric-only modes, the Ranger PHEV will automatically switch to Auto EV when the battery charge falls to a certain level.

Ford says the hybrid drivetrain does not alter the Ranger's existing 3500kg braked towing capacity, but whether the payload, GCM and GVM are reduced have yet to be confirmed.

Standard equipment on the Ranger PHEV includes Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology, a 360-degree camera, matrix LED headlights and a 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. The ‘Flexible Rack System,’ which features a sliding sports bar that can double as a load rack for securing long items, is also fitted.

There are some minor cosmetic variations from the rest of the Ranger lineup, including ‘PHEV’ badging on the front guards, while black 18-inch alloys, a modified grille and front guard vents are part of the limited-edition Stormtrak package.

The Stormtrak will only be offered with the hybrid powertrain. XLT, Sport and Wildtrak grades will all be available as a PHEV, in addition to the existing engine and transmission combinations.

Both the Ford Ranger PHEV and E-Transit Custom will go on sale in Australia in the first half of 2025. Further details and pricing will be announced closer to release.