Ranger PHEV – Ford realises that buyers want towing capacity, off road capability and extended range before they will consider buying an EV Ute.
- Ranger PHEV offers the full Ranger experience, including 3500kg towing and off-road capability
- Sixty percent of Australian drivers surveyed would be ‘more likely’ to buy an electrified vehicle that can tow
- Connected vehicle Data shows owners use their Ranger’s full off-road and towing capability
Ranger PHEV Survey
Sixty percent of Australian drivers would be ‘more likely’ to buy an electrified vehicle1 if it offered greater towing capability. According to a recent survey2 by Ford Motor Company. Forty-seven percent told Ford they were looking for something with off-road capability.
“When the Ranger PHEV arrives here in 2025, buyers can rest assured it has been developed with their needs in mind. Providing the full Ranger experience. Including 3500kg towing3 and off-road capability. Along with the added benefit of electric-only driving and off-grid power via Pro Power Onboard4,” said Ambrose Henderson, marketing director, Ford Australia.
Capability matters
Maintaining the core attributes that have helped make Ranger Australia’s best-selling vehicle5 was key. Pairing a powerful 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine with an electric motor and rechargeable battery system. The Ranger PHEV boasts all the features buyers expect.
Including
- an advanced 4WD system including low-range gearing,
- selectable drive modes for on- and off-road adventures,
- as well as a rear locking differential and
- 3500kg maximum braked towing capacity3.
“We know Ranger owners take their vehicles off-road and tow, making use of Ranger’s capability. So, the fact that Ranger PHEV maintains these core attributes is something we know customers will love,” said Henderson.
Data from more than 10,000 Rangers, covering more than five million journeys6, revealed:
- that 59 percent of owners drive in 4A for all-road performance
- while 45 percent engaged 4H with 11 percent tackling hardcore terrain requiring 4L.
- Additionally, 45 percent of owners engaged the rear locking-differential.
Ranger owners spend a lot of time towing, and not just towing a box trailer to the rubbish tip. Thirty percent (or 3,490 vehicles) logged heavy towing journeys5. Where Ranger’s unique-in-segment integrated trailer brake controller7 was active.
“Real-world customer usage, combined with Ford’s own research that customers are looking for an electrified vehicle with off-road and towing capability is proof that Ranger PHEV is the right kind of electrified ute for Australia,” said Henderson.
Real-world performance
Ford chose Ranger PHEV’s usable 11.8kWh rechargeable battery because it would meet the needs of most drivers without forcing them to make significant sacrifices when it came to key Ranger attributes, while also providing the off-grid advantage of Pro Power Onboard4.
“The team studied how Ranger drivers used their vehicles and the average daily distances they drove. We also studied the charging habits of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle owners. And used this information to inform the electrification of Ranger’s drivetrain,” said Henderson.
Data from 11.3 million journeys by Rangers across Australia revealed that the average driving distance each day was 40 kilometres or less. Recent data from the National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association8 showed that, on average, PHEV drivers use only electric power for two-thirds (65 percent) of their trip. Fifty-seven percent of PHEV drivers plug in their vehicle every night.
“Thanks to Ranger PHEV’s EV drive modes9, we’re confident that owners will enjoy the flexibility to use the battery for short electric-only journeys or in conjunction with the petrol engine for long range touring and towing,” concluded Henderson.
