Ford just released a lot update 2024 rangers. And while the pickup gets an impressively powerful trio of engines, the notable omission is any sort of hybrid or plug-in hybrid option. That could change as soon as next year, when the Australian store Drive reports that the Ranger is apparently hitting a plug-in hybrid variant for the Australian market that will eventually go on sale here in the US.
While Drive mentioning that Ford Australia hasn’t exactly confirmed this, they are said to have seen plans that suggest the PHEV will launch next year as part of a number of 2024 updates. If those updates listen seems strange to you since the Ranger has only just been updated, keep in mind that the Ranger we are buying has been on sale in the rest of the world since 2021.
Ford has also confirmed and hinted that the Ranger (and based on the Ranger SUV Everest not sold in the US) designed from the ground up to take on electric and hybrid powertrain options. As for what exactly will power this PHEV Ranger, Drive says it will be powered by a 2.3-liter Ecoboost I4 engine — powering everything from Lincoln crossovers to Ford Explorers — paired with single or dual electric motors.
If Ford plays it right, it can succeed. In addition to Ram’s mild hybrids, Ford’s Maverick Hybrid (if you can find one) and Toyota’s i-Force Max engines in Tundra and New Tacoma, there aren’t many other hybrid pickups, let alone plug-in hybrid models. But Ford struggling to keep up with buyers wanting the Maverick as it is, and PHEVs tend to be more expensive than their petrol and hybrid counterparts. Hopefully Ford doesn’t end up with another popular but expensive truck that no one can get their hands on.
I emailed Ford for comment and will update this story if I get a response.
Update: Ford has reached out to us again and declined to comment or speculate on future products.
