Will Ford Bring a Plug-in Hybrid Ranger To the US?
The 2021 F-150’s hybrid powertrain isn’t just a selling point for Ford’s flagship truck. Even outside of literally helping save lives, it’s a significant shift for the pickup market as a whole. But as Chevrolet readies its battery-powered electric pickup, Ford is adding yet another hybrid truck to its lineup. However, does that mean customers in the US will be able to get a hybrid Ford Ranger?
The next-gen Ford Ranger will offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain
The news of a Ford Ranger hybrid comes after the automaker announced its European arm will be all-electric by 2030. Furthermore, Ford Europe wants all of its vehicles to offer some form of electrification by 2024, Motor1 reports. That means more plug-in hybrids, even on pickup trucks.
This isn’t just conjecture or rumor, either. In a report published by Australia’s Car Expert, Ford Europe confirmed its hybrid-electric plans include the Ranger, Roadshow reports. And we might even know some of the powertrain details.
“A leaked document” obtained by Ford Authority claims the next-gen truck uses the current 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine with an electric motor. Combined, that should mean a total output of 362 hp and 501 lb-ft.
For comparison, with the EcoBoost alone, the US-market 2021 Ford Ranger has 270 hp and 310 lb-ft. And with the optional Ford Performance Level 2 Package, that increases to 315 hp and 370 lb-ft. But the next-gen Ford Raptor plug-in hybrid will likely still use the same 10-speed automatic, GM Authority reports.
Could Ford offer a hybrid Ranger truck here in the US?
Outside of the US, the Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid should arrive for the 2023 model year, InsideEVs reports. But the hybrid truck’s future here in the US and North America as a whole is a bit murkier.
We do know Ford is bringing over the next-gen Ranger here. However, while it will have an upgraded interior and updated looks, there hasn’t been any word of a hybrid powertrain, Car and Driver reports. We might get the next-gen Ranger Raptor, though, with the same 310-hp 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 as the Bronco, Car and Driver reports. Indeed, a camouflaged Ranger Raptor was spotted testing with a Bronco Warthog.
It’s worth pointing out that Ford wants more electrified vehicles in the US, too. Hence why it created the Mustang Mach-E. And there is an all-electric F-150 on the horizon, too. So, in that regard, bringing another hybrid truck—a mid-size one at that—makes a lot of sense.
What we still don’t know and what could still change
As of this writing, Ford hasn’t confirmed if the next-gen Ranger plug-in hybrid will be sold in the US. It also hasn’t confirmed if the next-gen Ranger Raptor will be sold here, either. For what it’s worth, Car and Driver estimates that it should arrive for the 2023 model year.
However, it’s possible that Ford North America could release a different hybrid truck. The upcoming Ford Maverick is based on the same platform as the Bronco Sport and Escape. That means it will likely use one of their powertrains, as well. And while we don’t know which powertrain specifically, the Escape has a plug-in hybrid trim. So, a hybrid Maverick isn’t out of the question, Car and Driver reports.
As for whether or not this hybrid Ford Ranger can help power a house, we’ll have to wait and see.
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