The electrification of the drive does not stop at commercial vehicles. The US car manufacturer Ford is now equipping its medium-sized pickup truck Ranger with a plug-in hybrid drive. The combination of a 2.3-liter turbo gasoline engine, an electric motor with an output of 70 kilowatts (kW) and a battery pack with a capacity of 11.8 kilowatt hours (kWh) is intended to enable a purely electric range of up to 45 kilometers. This should also make zero-emission environmental zones in cities accessible.
In addition, the part-time electric vehicle also offers new options for business people, leisure adventurers and campers: Thanks to the “Ford Power Onboard System”, various electrical devices can be operated via the sockets on the loading area or in the interior of the double cab.
This can make the use of loud and bulky power generators unnecessary, for example on construction sites or when camping far from civilization. Or it allows campers to spend the night away from the campsite and have electricity available, for example to charge their electric bike.
Up to 3.5 tonnes trailer load
According to Ford, the plug-in hybrid drive should not affect the possible uses of the pick-up. The Ford Ranger PHEV, produced in South Africa, should be able to tow a trailer weighing a maximum of 3.5 tons. And the payload/payload should be a maximum of 1000 kilograms, promises Ford.
Ford Ranger PHEV
- Drive: 2.3 liter petrol engine
- E-Motor 70 kW
- Battery 11.8 kWh
- electric range 45 km
- Trailer load: 3500 kg
- Payload/payload: 1000 kg
- Schedule: Production will start in the fourth quarter of 2024, the first vehicles will be delivered in early 2025.
Author
Clemens Schuhmann
Head of Car & Motor
Clemens Schuhmann