Ford has unveiled the Ranger with an all-new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain. This is said to be the brand’s significant step towards its initiative to expand the powertrain options in the midsize pickup segment.
Ford Ranger PHEV
The full specifications have yet to be disclosed. However, the Blue Oval company did share the powertrain setup consisting of a 2.3-liter Ford EcoBoost turbo gasoline engine paired with an electric motor and a rechargeable battery system.
In pure electric mode, the PHEV would allow the pickup truck to run 45 km on a single charge. This can help reduce carbon emissions, and save owners some gas money via enhanced fuel efficiency. According to Ford, once the battery charge runs out, the combustion engine will take over the propulsion.
The PHEV powertrain boasts a 45 km pure electric mode range
The new Ranger PHEV will also feature the Pro Power Onboard. It enables customers to power their tools and appliances on the go. With the Pro Power Onboard, future owners can just leave heavy generators at home and use the pickup as a mobile power source instead.
Other features on the equipment list include four-wheel-drive capability, selectable drive modes, and advanced driver safety and driver assist features.
“The Ranger plug-in hybrid will help our customers move into an electrified future, with the confidence and capability that only Ranger can provide,” said Ford Australia and New Zealand President and CEO Andrew Birkic.
Pro Power Onboard
Ford aims to launch the Ranger PHEV in early 2025. As of this writing, Ford Philippines has no word whether it has plans to bring the greener pickup to the local market.
The Ford Ranger PHEV will answer Toyota’s initiative to go hybrid with the Hilux. The latter will be equipped with a new 48-volt mild-hybrid system called Toyota Kinetic Assist, which combines the 2.8-liter turbodiesel with a 48-volt motor/generator, a DC-DC converter, and a 48-volt battery.
Coming in early 2025
Meanwhile, some brands competing in the midsize pickup truck segment are reportedly interested in going hybrid as well. For one, the next-gen Mitsubishi Triton, formerly known as the Strada, could also adopt a PHEV powertrain, with rumors to go all-electric later. Mitsubishi is no stranger to this technology as the Outlander uses a PHEV powertrain.
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