THE SO-CALLED “INTERIM” STEP TO fully electric vehicles is gaining ground. Ford Australia has announced the Escape Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) has arrived and is on sale this month in Australia.
The Escape PHEV is Ford Australia’s first EV offering. Following the launch of Escape in late 2020, the 2022 PHEV completes the Escape line-up, giving customers more options in the mid-size SUV segment.
This is the first step for Ford Australia in introducing at least five electrified vehicles by the end of 2024.
The Escape PHEV delivers the driving range and freedom offered by a traditional internal combustion engine alongside the efficiency and refinement of an electric powertrain.
The power-split architecture combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, electric motor, and generator with a 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery, for a combined 167kW of power. With a combined fuel economy figure of 1.5L/100km and 33g/km of CO2, Ford’s first PHEV in Australia will deliver electric driving range in excess of 50 kilometres.
The battery can be charged using a passenger-side front guard mounted charging port and is automatically replenished on the move using regenerative charging technology that captures the kinetic energy normally lost during braking.
Drivers can choose when and how to deploy battery power using four different modes: EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge.
When the vehicle is in EV Now mode, and the battery reaches its lowest state-of-charge, Escape PHEV will automatically revert to EV Auto mode, supplementing the petrol engine power with electric motor assistance.
Escape PHEV will be backed by Ford’s five-year, unlimited kilometre factory warranty, with the electric motor and high-voltage system parts, including the battery, covered by an eight-year/160,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.
Escape PHEV eligible owners can take advantage of all the Ford service benefits on offer, such as a Service Loan Car, Auto Club Membership including National Roadside Assistance as well as Sat Nav Map Updates. With service intervals every 15,000 km/12 months, eligible Escape PHEV owners will pay a maximum of $299 per A & B scheduled services for the first four services up to four-years/60,000km (whichever comes first).
The Escape PHEV is available in three standard colours:
- Frozen White
- Blazer Blue
- Agate Black
And the following prestige colours that incur an additional cost:
- Blue Metallic
- Magnetic
- Solar Silver
- White Platinum
- Rapid Red
Pricing
| 2022MY Escape | Price after July 1 (incl. GST) | |
| ST-Line PHEV (FWD) | $53,440 | $54,440 |
| Options | ||
| ST-Line Pack | $1950 | |
| Park Pack | $1500 | |
| Prestige Paint | $675 |
ST-Line Pack: Hands-Free Power Tailgate, Front Heated Seats, LED Glare Free Headlamps and Heads Up Display
Park Pack: Enhanced Active Park Assist, Front Camera, Door Edge Guards