On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Ford announced that it will be making an electric version of the Explorer, its best-selling SUV. An electric Ford Explorer would be the first large electric SUV available on the market. Although there are three-row electric SUV’s on the market, the third row is typically more a checked box than an actual place adults would want to sit. It would join Ford’s EV lineup including the Mustang Mach-E, E-Transit and F-150 Lightning. As demand for electric vehicles grows, an electric Ford Explorer would certainly be a hit. 

Will an electric Ford Explorer be as powerful as the current one?

Although Ford hasn’t released its exact plan for the electric Ford Explorer (or a release date), there’s every reason to believe that the electric version would be comparable to the gas-powered one. The Ford Explorer currently has a 2.3-liter V6, while the hybrid Explorer comes with a 3.3-liter V6. Considering Ford’s coming F-150 Lightning will be similar to the standard F-150, there’s a good chance large SUV shoppers won’t have to sacrifice power for low-emissions. 

Ford has electric plans for the future

The electric Explorer announcement was made during Ford’s Capital Markets Day. The announcement is part of Ford’s plan to make electric vehicles 40% of their vehicle production by 2030. Ford wants to be a leader in electric vehicles. Currently less than ten percent of Ford’s lineup is electric.

To achieve this goal, which is part of new CEO Jim Farley’s Ford+ plan, Ford has said that it will spend $30 billion on electric vehicle production by 2025. Although this is more than many car manufacturers have committed to electric vehicles, it is still behind Tesla, GM and Volkswagen. Tesla only produces electric vehicles and GM says they will be 100% electric by 2035. 

What other EVs does Ford have planned?

During the Capital Market’s Day, Ford also announced that it will make two dedicated electric vehicle platforms. One platform would be for cars and small SUVs. Another, larger platform would let Ford make larger electric SUVs and pickup trucks. Ford would be able to make a variety of electric vehicles that share the same components and chassis. Currently Ford makes the Mustang Mach-E and the E-Transit electric van. It is releasing the all-new electric pickup truck, the F-150 Lightning, early in 2022. It has also hinted at an electric update to the Mustang coupe. The electric Ford Explorer would expand Ford’s electric offerings.

Ford also teased a large, “rugged” electric SUV, showing the outline of an SUV with a spare tire in the back. This has people speculating that Ford has plans to make an electric Bronco. It isn’t the first time that Ford has hinted at an electric Bronco. Farley tweeting the possibility that Ford has considered making one in the past. Ford already plans on offering a hybrid Bronco.

If Ford makes good on all of its electric vehicle promises, including an electric version of the Ford Explorer, car shoppers will be able to get electric versions of all of their Ford favorites in the near future.