Electrified Ford Bronco tipped for Australia with 1000km range
An electrified version of the Ford Bronco could be headed to Australia and New Zealand, if unconfirmed reports out of the recent Beijing Motor Show are to be believed.
Rumours of the Bronco New Energy joining Ford’s Australian line-up have been circulating for months, but CarExpert has now shared fresh details after speaking with Ford executives and other sources in Beijing.
Crucially, the Bronco New Energy is different from the US-built Bronco which is underpinned by the Aussie-developed T6 ladder-frame platform that is also used in the Ford Ranger and Everest. Instead, the Bronco New Energy is made in China in a joint venture with Ford’s partner Jiangling Motors.
Unlike the rugged body-on-frame Bronco, the Bronco New Energy is a unibody five-seat SUV. It will reportedly be offered either as a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) with a 105.4kWh battery and dual-motor drivetrain, or as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) pairing a large 43.7kWh battery and electric motors with a 1.5-litre petrol engine acting as a generator.
The EREV boasts up to 200km of EV-only driving, while total driving range is said to be around 1000km. It’s quick for a vehicle of this size, too, with a 0-100km/h claim of 5.8 seconds.
CarExpert reports the EREV powertrain is the most likely to come to Australia, with the Bronco’s arrival earmarked for later in 2026 or early 2027. Even more tantalising is the price, with CarExpert suggesting it could start as low as $48,000 and stretch to $60,000 depending on spec.
Open Road understands both the pricing and timing estimates may be optimistic, while Ford Australia has yet to confirm the model for local showrooms. When approached by Open Road, Ford Australia provided the following statement:
“The Bronco New Energy is an exciting addition to the global Ford line-up, adding a new energy drivetrain to one of the world’s most iconic nameplates. Ford Australia is always evaluating options to expand our line-up for customers, but we have no news to share about future products at this time.”
Size-wise, the Bronco New Energy is large at 5025mm long, 1920mm wide and 1825mm tall. The wheelbase is 2950mm, while ground clearance is 220mm. That makes it 101mm longer and 37mm wider than an Everest, which is already a sizeable 7-seat family SUV.
Time will tell if Ford imports the Bronco New Energy to Australia, however it is confirmed the model will be made available to right-hand-drive markets. Adding a new electrified model would also help Ford meet its emissions targets under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, which is important for a brand so reliant on popular diesel models like the Everest and Ranger.
