- Ford Ranger programme director speaks on the future for BEV.
- Different demands of 'truck world' requires balance.
- 'We're looking at everything'.
Is pure-electric (BEV) power on the cards for the next-generation Ford Ranger? The answer is not a "yes". But it's also not a definite "no".
It all comes down to whether the technology can deliver the capability required from the vehicle, says Mario Brandini, vehicle program director for Ranger/Everest/VW Amarok.
"Looking at how capable technology is and how it can move us forward is a balance," says Brandini, who spoke to Australasian media during a Ranger/Everest MY26.5 launch event at the brand's You Yangs proving ground this month.
"We’re talking to customers, working out what we really need, and looking at how technology can deliver that. Do you want to jump in fast, or do you want to jump in slow?
"How far do you tip into electrification? It’s different from car-world to truck-world, trying to balance truck demands as well as passenger in the Everest. And then you have the extreme with Bronco [the US-market model is based on the Ranger T6 platform].
"We're looking at everything."
Bandini cites the current Ranger PHEV as an example of the balancing act between plug-in power and the working requirements of Ranger in terms of towing and 4x4 ability. Right from launch, Ford claimed the plug-in loses nothing to the diesel version in those respects, although it's also copped plenty of criticism for the model's small battery and modest EV range.
"Look at the hybrid. Customers wanted capability, but they also wanted some level of electrification. Some companies have gone for a lot of electrification... but you lose capability.
"We can’t tell you what we’re doing right now, but we are looking, and we’re kind of balancing that trade-off right now."
Bandini also emphasises the current Ranger has long way to go yet, and there may be more major model development to come: "Next-gen is on our mind. But in terms of [the current] product and the flexibility we’ve got on the platform, it’s got a long life.
"You can keep playing with different modules and different things. It’s not like you need to go all-new just because technology is moving; you can keep growing it and moving it."
Despite that, bringing full-BEV power to the current Ranger T6 sounds unlikely: "At the moment, I would say that full EV, in terms of what this type of vehicle can do... just with the laws of physics you can’t get there. But it doesn’t mean we can’t in the future."