Ford's plug-in hybrid Ranger pickup will offer feature to power work tools

Ford’s new plug-in hybrid version of the Ranger pickup includes a feature that lets users power their work tools from the vehicle’s battery, the company said in a statement.

The Ranger Plug-In Hybrid was unveiled at the IAA commercial vehicle show in Hanover, Germany, on Sept. 16, ahead of European deliveries in spring 2025.

The Pro Power Onboard feature allows users to plug-in tools to cancel the need for a combustion engine generator in locations without power. An optional system delivers up to 6.9 kilowatts from two 15-amp outlets in the load box, while the standard set-up is 2.3kW.

Pro Power Onboard is also available the new electric E-Transit.

The new Ranger combines a 2.3-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine with a 11.8 kilowatt-hour battery pack and 101 hp electric engine. Together the drivetrain makes 275 hp.

Ford said it is targeting an official electric-only range figure of 45 km (27 miles).

The PHEV adds a third drivetrain to the Ranger lineup alongside the four-cylinder diesel and V-6 diesel.

Ford did not quote a CO2 figure, but the electric range of the PHEV should substantially cut the official 222 g/km figure for the smaller diesel double-cab model and the 266 g/km for the V-6.

The lower emissions will help Ford achieve its European Union van CO2 target 2025, when automakers have to reach an average of 153.9 g/km as measured using the WLTP method, down from an equivalent WLTP figure of 189.9 g/km now.

Plug-in hybrids only reduce real-world CO2 if the vehicle is frequently plugged in, although there is no current requirement to do so.

Ford said the drivetrain will deliver fuel savings to those who do keep the battery topped up. The vehicle also has an “EV Later” mode to save battery power for urban driving.

The Ranger outsells the competition in the U.K., Europe’s largest pickup market.

The vehicle was the third biggest selling light commercial in the country through August at 12,432, according to figures from U.K. automotive lobby group the SMMT.

Currently no plug-in hybrid pickup is available in Europe, although China’s SAIC Maxus offers an electric double-cab pickup in some markets including the U.K.

No price has been set for the Ranger PHEV. The Ranger double-cab diesel starts from 30,800 pounds in the U.K., excluding VAT, for the four-cylinder diesel.

The Ranger is built in Ford’s Silvertown, South Africa, plant alongside the related Volkswagen Amarok. VW has yet to announce a PHEV version of its pickup.