The long-awaited Ford Ranger PHEV will only be sold in Europe and Australia - for now, at least.
Big Oversight
For several years, rumors have perpetuated that a hybrid or plug-in hybrid version of the Ford Ranger was in the works, and finally, just recently, the all-new Ranger PHEV was unveiled. However, there's just one big caveat that came along with that debut - this new electrified pickup is only going to be sold in Australia and Europe, at least for now. To us at least, this seems like a big oversight, for a number of reasons.
Photos: Ford
Power
There are quite a few benefits that plug-in hybrids offer compared to traditional hybrids and/or ICE-powered vehicles, including, of course, the extra power they provide. Ford hasn't released info on the new Ranger PHEV's output, but it combines the 2.3-liter EcoBoost I-4 with an electric motor, which will likely make it the most powerful variant in the redesigned pickup's lineup - as is the case with the Explorer PHEV - which also isn't sold in America - making it a great vessel for towing, hauling, or just merging on the freeway.
Photos: Ford
Fuel Economy
Then there's the matter of efficiency - coupling an electric motor and battery with a gas engine is obviously a fantastic way to improve both power and efficiency. We've seen this with a host of PHEVs that have launched in recent years, and while we don't have any official fuel economy figures for the Ranger plug-in hybrid yet, it's a safe bet that it'll offer a big improvement over the standard ICE version.
Photos: Ford
All-Electric Driving Range
However, arguably the biggest benefit of a PHEV is the fact that they can travel a number of miles on electric power only, then be plugged in at home and recharged in between trips. The Ranger PHEV will offer up to 28 miles of EV driving range, which is enough that many owners won't even need to use a drop of gas for their daily commutes.
Photos: Ford
Flexibility
However, unlike a full-blown EV, a PHEV like the Ranger can also run on gas as well, meaning that you can take it on a road trip and not have to worry about spending a long period of time at a charging station. This flexibility is a big part of what makes PHEVs so popular in Europe, of course.
Photos: Ford
Stepping Stone to EVs
And therein lies the rub - if Ford and other automakers want to transition Americans to EVs, PHEVs are a fantastic stepping stone in that regard. Until battery technology progresses, EVs simply aren't realistic for some folks, but PHEVs are essentially the best of both worlds - so why not simply sell the Ranger PHEV in the U.S.?
Photos: Ford
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