Ford Ranger steps towards electric future with plug-in hybrid ute

Ford is set to shake up one of the largest segments in the Australian automotive market, announcing a plug-in hybrid version of its Ford Ranger ute will go on sale in early 2025.

Rather than a diesel engine, the Ranger plug-in hybrid will run Ford’s 2.3-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder engine in concert with an electric motor and has an EV-only range of 45km.

Ford claims the hybrid has a greater torque output than its current diesel engines and will retain the diesel Ranger’s 3500kg towing capacity.

The new Ranger will also have power points in the cabin and tray area, allowing customers to run electrical tools and appliances such as a power drill, laptop or camp oven.

“There are many individuals and small and large business looking for a [more eco-friendly] solution,” says Andrew Birkic, president and CEO of Ford Australia. “This is the Ranger Australia knows and loves, with much more.”

The Ranger has been one of Australia’s top-selling vehicles for several years, duking it out with the Toyota HiLux for the crown of most popular ute. The announcement of a plug-in hybrid Ranger is the latest step in Ford’s electrification strategy.

Back in 2021, it announced it would have at least five electric vehicles for Australia by 2024 and expected at least 40 per cent of its Australian sales to be electric by 2030. Ford’s all-electric performance sports car, the Mustang Mach-E, is scheduled to launch in mid-October.

It joins the Ford E-Transit commercial vehicle already on sale here.