EV tech not ready for Ford Ranger and Everest

FORD Australia executives have ruled out the likelihood of battery electric Ranger and Everest models within the current lifecycle of the range, saying presently available BEV technologies are incompatible with the requirements of its light commercial customers.

Speaking with GoAuto at the local launch of the updated Ford Everest and Ranger in Melbourne this week, vehicle program director Mario Brandini said that while the T6.2 platform underpinning Ranger and Everest could be adapted to produce a battery electric variant, its range and performance characteristics would be out of step with market expectations.

“We could bring a T6.2 EV to Australia if the technology allowed it to deliver the capability that we’re looking for,” he said.

“But at the moment, I would say that a full EV cannot deliver the type of capability our customers require.”

Ford Australia’s marketing director Ambrose Henderson said the company’s future plans are based largely on customer needs and wants, and that a BEV Ranger or Everest does not align with those requirements.

“When you think about what these customers do, and also the infrastructure that is available around Australia, it is not yet at a point where a full BEV is going to deliver,” he added.

“There are a lot of headlines around the surge in EV demand and that sort of thing at the moment.

“But when you look into it, that surge is from small and medium SUVs, where EV technology works very well.

“When you’re towing 3.5 tonnes, it doesn’t. It’s not yet at that level.

“That’s why it is important that we focus on what the customer needs, not just wants, but needs in the Australian environment – and we are focused on delivering for that.”

While it seems that Ford will be without an electric Everest or light commercial utility for the foreseeable future, the battery electric ute space is expanding Down Under with entrants that include the KGM Musso (from $60,000 plus on-road costs) and Toyota HiLux BEV (from $74,990 + ORC).

JAC also appears to be considering its T9 EV for Australian arrival, alongside existing plug-in hybrid and turbo-diesel offerings.

Ford Australia continues to offer a plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger locally (pictured), the petrol-electric entrant priced from $71,990 + ORC and vying against the likes of the popular BYD Shark 6 (from $55,900 + ORC) and GWM Cannon Alpha (from $61,490 d/a).

It also continues to offer turbo-diesel and turbo-petrol powertrains more capable of meeting the range, towing, and hauling requirements of Australian customers.

Currently, Ford Australia’s ICE powertrain options include a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel in two- and four-wheel drive configurations; a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 diesel; and a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol offered exclusively in the high-performance Raptor variant.

As for its Everest SUV sibling, buyers have the choice of a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel in two- and four-wheel drive configurations or turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 diesel, with no petrol-electric offering currently available.

Presently, the Mustang Mach-E SUV, eTransit, and eTransit Custom are the only battery electric vehicles in offered Ford’s Australian line-up.