FORD HAS CONFIRMED THAT A PHEV VERSION of its large (and very popular) Ranger ute will join the range mid-2025.
“The addition of PHEV to the Ranger lineup marks the first time in history that Australia’s best-selling nameplate has been offered with an electrified plug-in hybrid option, with the backing of an extensive nationwide dealer network. We can’t wait for our customers to get behind the wheel,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia.
“Our Aussie engineering and design team have created a plug-in hybrid that allows diesel ute buyers to begin their electrification journey without sacrificing any of the core capability that they need from a truck – whether they use it for work or play.”
“The Ranger PHEV is just the tip of the spear for our commercial EV line-up, with the E-Transit Custom and Transit Custom PHEV set to join E-Transit in our line-up soon. If you are an Aussie business wanting to explore whether an electrified vehicle is right for you, we will have four incredibly capable vehicles on offer to suit your needs.”
The MY25.75 Ranger PHEV line-up will consist of four variants at launch; XLT, Sport, Wildtrak, and the special launch edition Stormtrak. The Manufacturers List Price (MLP) for all four models is as follows:
| Variant | |
| Ranger PHEV XLT | $71,990 |
| Ranger PHEV Sport | $75,990 |
| Ranger PHEV Wildtrak | $79,990 |
| Ranger PHEV Stormtrak | $86,990 |
All prices plus on road costs
Powertrain
Ranger PHEV adds a fifth powertrain option to the Ranger lineup, combining a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine with a 75kW electric motor (e-motor) and 11.8kWh (usable) battery that delivers the off-road and towing capability that Ranger customers need for work and play.
Combining both the combustion and electric power results in maximum total system outputs of 207kW at 4600rpm, and 697Nm at 2500rpm. The 2.3-litre petrol engine is tuned for optimised hybrid efficiency, and produces 138kW at 4600rpm, and 411Nm at 2700rpm.
A new Modular Hybrid Transmission (MHT) integrates Ranger PHEV’s e-motor between the engine and transmission, allowing for a range of hybrid and EV modes that owners can use to tailor their driving experience to meet their specific needs. The traction battery is packaged between specially engineered frame rails underneath the rear loadbox.
The MHT allows the Ranger PHEV to benefit from the same go-anywhere abilities of the existing Ranger line-up, with a mechanical transfer case ensuring both axles can deliver the required power to all four wheels – even when climbing steep and rugged hills.
| Plug-in Hybrid 2.3L EcoBoost | |
| System Max Power | 207kW @ 4600rpm |
| System Max Torque | 697Nm @ 2500rpm |
| Engine Max Power | 138kW @ 4600rpm |
| Engine Max Torque | 411Nm @ 2700rpm |
| E-Motor Power | 75kW |
| Battery (Usable) | 11.8kWh |
| Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic Modular Hybrid Transmission |
Ranger PHEV’s MHT also incorporates regenerative braking, allowing the driver to capture and store energy during braking, which would otherwise be lost. This system is activated by decelerating (either releasing the accelerator pedal, or applying the brake), and can be observed through the EV Coach in the driver cluster screen.
Ranger PHEV carries over the advanced full-time 4WD system first introduced to Ranger with the 3.0L V6 Turbo Diesel. It utilises an electronically controlled on-demand 2-speed transfer case. This system offers the driver 2H, 4A, 4H, and 4L as available modes of operation. When 4A is selected, the system continuously varies power to the front wheels for optimum performance for all on-road conditions. It also features a locking rear differential that elevates its off-road capabilities in rugged and rough terrain.
Not only does the Ranger PHEV have more power and torque than any of its diesel siblings, it is also efficient with a claimed combined fuel economy of just 2.9L/100km.
“All owners need to do is plug the Ranger PHEV in every night to charge the battery like they would their phone,” said Myles Hartley, General Manager of Electric Vehicles, Ford Australia.
“The power to unlock incredible fuel saving is in the hands of owners, with Ranger PHEV’s drive modes giving drivers the ability to complete entire trips without using the combustion engine or saving the battery for when it will be at its most efficient – such as slow stop-start traffic.”
“Even without a charged battery providing electrical assistance, the 2.3-litre EcoBoost has proven to provide impressive highway fuel economy figures. And for when getting off the line quickly is a top priority, Ranger PHEV benefits from the ‘Sport’ drive mode that was previously exclusive to Ranger Raptor, which engages the hybrid system to deliver as much power and torque as possible with a sharp throttle calibration.”
| Fuel Economy (NEDC) | |
| Combined Fuel Economy (L/100km) | 2.7L/100km |
| Electric Driving Energy Consumption (Wh/km) | 187 |
| CO2 Emissions (g/km) | 66 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 70 |
Pro Power Onboard
Pro Power Onboard is available for Australians for the first time with Ranger PHEV, with every variant in Australia coming equipped with the ‘high output’ 6.9kW system as standard. With a single 10-amp, 2.3kW socket in the cabin, and twin 15-amp, 3.45kW sockets in the tray, Pro Power Onboard uses the 11.8kWh battery to provide potentially hours of energy to worksite equipment, campsites, or even a caravan directly from Ranger PHEV.
“Pro Power Onboard is a game changer for Ranger owners,” said Phil Millar, Chief Program Engineer, Ford Ranger PHEV.
“Now instead of having to carry a heavy generator or batteries that take up precious room and can often be very noisy, a Ranger PHEV owner can plug virtually anything they might want to power directly into the vehicle itself.”
“With 15-amp sockets in the tray, that’s equivalent to having a powered caravan park site with you anywhere you might want to explore – the possibilities are almost endless!”
“We’ve engineered Pro Power Onboard for maximum convenience in real-world situations. It functions with the car locked and when it is plugged in to charge, plus if the battery should deplete completely the 2.3-litre EcoBoost then kicks in to keep everything running.”
| Pro Power Onboard | |
| Maximum Total System Output | 6.9kW |
| Tray Socket Quantity | 2 |
| Maximum Tray Socket Output (per socket) | 3.45kW (15A @ 230V) |
| Cabin Socket Quantity | 1 |
| Maximum Cabin Socket Output | 2.3kW (10A @ 230V) |
EV Drive Modes
Ranger PHEV allows customers to choose how and when they wish to utilise the capability provided to them by their high voltage battery. Replacing the auto stop-start button in the centre console is the “EV” button, allowing customers to select from four EV Drive Modes.
“The different drive modes in Ranger PHEV gives the freedom of flexibility to owners in how they want to utilise the vehicle’s hybrid powertrain,” said Thomas Smith, Product & Retail Marketing Manager – Commercial EVs.
“In Auto EV the Ranger PHEV will choose between the combustion engine and battery to prioritise maximum power or efficiency, depending on driver demands. If you only have a handful of short trips that day, leave the Ranger PHEV in Auto EV and let the vehicle take care of everything.”
“But if you know you only have a single journey for the day, and will end your trip with charging available, you might choose EV Now for example. This means the Ranger PHEV will only use power provided by the battery and provide maximum fuel saving.”
“On the flipside, if you know you have a long drive ahead of you and want to keep your electric driving range for when it is most effective, or you’d like to save the battery to use Pro Power Onboard at your destination, EV Later prioritises the combustion engine to maintain the Ranger’s current state of charge.”
“Finally, EV Charge turns the combustion engine into a generator to help put juice back into the battery. A perfect use case for this might be when an owner is travelling and doesn’t have access to a wall socket but uses Pro Power Onboard to power their items when camping – by selecting EV Charge when driving between destinations they’ll ensure they arrive at the next night’s location with a battery ready to power their amenities through the night.”
Towing and Payload
Not only does the Ranger PHEV maintain the 3500kg braked towing capability that the nameplate has become famous for, it is also able to carry more than any other PHEV dual-cab ute – with a payload that exceeds its nearest competitor by almost 200kg.
With a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 3500kg across the four-variant line-up, the Ranger PHEV boasts an impressive 973kg of payload (based on minimum kerb weight) in the XLT. A unique-to-PHEV loadbox design which is longer than the regular Ranger means the tray length now exceeds 1600mm and is able to accommodate two European pallets. Payload figures for the Sport, Wildtrak and Stormtrak are 934kg, 885kg, and 808kg respectively.
Adding the hybrid powertrain brings unique benefits when the Ranger PHEV is hitched up and towing a load, such as exceptional launch capability from a standstill due to the additional torque from the electric motor which can be particularly beneficial when towing a heavy load up a hill – for example hauling a boat out of the water at the local ramp.
“We know how important carrying and towing heavy loads is to our Ranger customers, so this was a top priority in the development of Ranger PHEV,” Millar added.
“But there is more to safe towing and hauling ability than numbers on a spec sheet – we’ve also ensured Ranger PHEV comes fitted with class-leading technology like our integrated trailer brake controller.”
“Beyond just a simple trailer brake controller, the Ranger PHEV’s system is fully integrated with the rest of its active safety suite, meaning features like the electronic stability control factor in the trailer’s brakes and activate them as necessary.”
Clever tech like the Trailer Light Check is standard across the range, while Pro Trailer Back-Up Assist is optional on Sport variants and standard on Wildtrak and Stormtrak.
Gross Combined Mass (GCM) for Ranger PHEV is 6580kg.
Additional Changes
The first-ever hybrid Ranger brings with it several changes unique to the PHEV, such as the electronic fuel filler release. Regular petrol engines manage fuel vapour and petrol tank pressures during the regular combustion process. However, as PHEV drive cycles involve periods where the engine is not run for an extended period, fuel vapours and tank/fuel filler pressures need to be managed. As a result, the Ranger PHEV’s fuel filler door is locked until the button is pressed and the vapour purged. This button is located on the dash.
Additionally, a new push/pull door can be found on the passenger side of the vehicle for Ranger PHEVs charge port, indicated by a debossed lightning bolt symbol. The port’s auto lock function ensures the cable remains fixed during charging.
Ranger PHEV not only has a unique visual wheel design, but they are also wider than standard compared to diesel variants, have new lip mouldings, and a bespoke tyre which has been developed to carry higher loads to manage the incremental weight of the High Voltage Battery whilst maintaining payload and handling ability.
Given Ranger PHEV can drive almost silently in EV Now mode, it comes fitted with an Acoustic Vehicle Alert System (AVAS). AVAS uses an externally mounted speaker to alert pedestrians of the approaching quiet vehicle, decreasing the risk of being involved in a collision. The system is on when the vehicle is moving up to 30kph when the engine is not operating.
Finally, unlike its combustion-powered siblings, the Ranger PHEV utilises high voltage electric air conditioning and heating to ensure optimum operating conditions, including when the petrol engine is off.
Series Spec Highlights
Ranger PHEV XLT
- Powertrain
- 2.3L EcoBoost Plug-in Hybrid
- 10-Speed Automatic Modular Hybrid Transmission
- E-Shifter
- Electronic Parking Brake
- Front and Rear Disc Brakes
- Driveline
- Full-Time 4WD
- Selectable Drive Modes
- EV Drive Modes
- Lighting
- Halogen Headlamps & Daytime Running Lamps
- Halogen Front Fog Lamps
- LED Taillamps & Rear Fog Lamps
- Exterior
- Black Front Grille
- Side Steps (Black)
- Active Grille Shutter
- Steel Underbody Protection
- Front Tow Hooks (1)
- Wheels
- 17-inch Alloy Wheels
- Tyre Repair & Inflation Kit (Spare Wheel able to be optioned, at no cost)
- All Season Tyres (All Terrain option)
- Load Box
- Tailgate with Lift Assist
- Drop In Bedliner (without Tailgate Ruler)
- Box Top Protective Capping with Load Box Access Caps
- Inner Tie Downs
- Load Box Illumination
- Rear Box Step
- Interior
- Carpet Floor Covering (Vinyl Floor able to be optioned)
- Driver & Passenger Floor Mats
- Dual Zone Climate Control
- Acoustic Laminated Windscreen
- Infotainment, Audio, and Communication
- 12 Inch LCD Portrait Touchscreen
- AM, FM, and Digital Audio (DAB+)
- Wireless Apple Carplay/Android Auto
- 6 Speakers
- Off-road Screen
- Seats
- Premium Cloth Seat Trim
- 8-way Manual Drivers Seat
- 4-way Manual Passenger Seat
- Security
- Perimeter Alarm System
- Smart Keyless Entry with Push Button Start
- Driver Assistance
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Blind Spot Monitoring with Cross Traffic Alert and Trailer Coverage
- Evasive Steer Assist
- Lane Keeping Aid with Road Edge Detection and Driver Alert System
- Pre-Collision Assist with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Reverse Brake Assist
- Parking Sensors (Front and Rear)
- Rear View Camera
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Ranger PHEV Sport (incremental to XLT)
- Lighting
- LED Headlamps & Daytime Running Lamps
- LED Front Fog Lamps
- Exterior Mirrors with Puddle Lamps & Zone Lighting
- Exterior
- Dark Accent Grille
- Dark Exterior Accents
- Sports Bar
- Front Tow Hooks (2)
- Wheels
- 18-inch Alloy Wheels
- All Season Tyres (All Terrain option)
- Interior
- Pull-Out Cup Holders
- Wireless Phone Charging
- Privacy Glass
- Seats
-
- Leather Accented Seat Trim (excluding 2nd row middle seat)
- 8-way Power Drivers Seat
- Heated Seats – Driver and Front Passenger
- Safety & Security
- Thatcham Volumetric and Inclination Perimeter Alarm System
- Driver Assistance
- Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Centring
Ranger PHEV Wildtrak (incremental to Sport)
- Lighting
- Matrix LED Headlamps with Auto Leveling & Dynamic Bending
- Auto High Beam
- Exterior
- Unique Wildtrak Front Grille Design – Tough Mesh Painted in Signature Boulder colour
- Unique Wildtrak Molded Sports Bar / Sail Plane
- Roof Rails
- Wheels
- Unique 18-inch Alloy Wheels
- Load Box
-
- Aluminium Tie Down Rails
- Power Roller Shutter
- Interior
- Ambient Lighting
-
- Rear Floor Mats
-
- 10 Speaker B&O Premium Audio System
- Seats
-
- 8-way Power Drivers and Passenger Seat
- Unique Wildtrak Leather Seats
- Driver Assistance
- 360 Degree Camera
- Pro Trailer Back-up Assist
Ranger PHEV Stormtrak (incremental to Wildtrak)
- Exterior
- Exclusive Chill Grey colour (also available in Agate Black)
- Unique Gloss Black Front Grille Design with Honeycomb Pattern and Chill Grey Accents
- Gloss Black “R A N G E R” Hood Lettering
- Side & Rear Chill Grey Stormtrak Badging
- Side Decal
- Gloss Black Rear Bumper
- Wheels
- Exclusive 18-inch Alloy Wheels with Chill Grey Accents (Full Size Spare as standard)
- Load Box
-
- Flexible Rack System
- Cargo Management System
- Interior
- Chill Grey / Gloss Black Accents
- Unique Stormtrak Seats with Chill Grey Accents
- AUX Switches
Full Specifications
| Series | PHEV XLT | PHEV Sport | PHEV Wildtrak | PHEV Stormtrak |
| Body | 4×4 Double Cab Pick-Up |
4×4 Double Cab Pick-Up |
4×4 Double Cab Pick-Up |
4×4 Double Cab Pick-Up |
| Engine | Plug-in Hybrid 2.3L EcoBoost |
Plug-in Hybrid 2.3L EcoBoost |
Plug-in Hybrid 2.3L EcoBoost |
Plug-in Hybrid 2.3L EcoBoost |
| Engine | ||||
| Engine Max Power | 138kW @ 4600rpm | 138kW @ 4600rpm | 138kW @ 4600rpm | 138kW @ 4600rpm |
| Engine Max Torque | 411Nm @ 2700rpm | 411Nm @ 2700rpm | 411Nm @ 2700rpm | 411Nm @ 2700rpm |
| E-Motor Power | 75kW | 75kW | 75kW | 75kW |
| System Max Power | 207kW @ 4600rpm | 207kW @ 4600rpm | 207kW @ 4600rpm | 207kW @ 4600rpm |
| System Max Torque | 697Nm @ 2500 RPM | 697Nm @ 2500 RPM | 697Nm @ 2500 RPM | 697Nm @ 2500 RPM |
| Battery (Usable) | 11.8kWh | 11.8kWh | 11.8kWh | 11.8kWh |