3 days ago
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The Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid has received approval for sale in Australia ahead of its launch in mid-2025, with double-cab-chassis models included in the documents.
The 2025 Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) four-wheel-drive ute has been approved for sale in Australia before its mid-year arrival, with government documents revealing it could launch with a cab-chassis option.
Government approval documents show the Ranger PHEV could be offered as a dual-cab-chassis with a tray alongside dual-cab pick-up models with a tub, which will include XLT, Sport, Wildtrak and limited-edition Stormtrak variants.
The diesel Ranger XLT is offered in Australia with extra-cab-chassis, dual-cab-chassis and dual-cab body styles, with the latter two possible for the XLT PHEV, while the Sport, Wildtrak and Stormtrak PHEVs are likely to be offered as a dual-cab pick-up only.
If it reaches Australia, the Ranger PHEV would become the first cab-chassis plug-in hybrid model in the market – however a cab-chassis version of the BYD Shark 6 is under consideration for Australia.
Overseas, Ford offers a cab-chassis version of its E-Transit van – but its charging port is located at the front of the vehicle, not the rear like the Ranger PHEV where its electrical components would need to be re-engineered to suit a cab-chassis model.
The 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in Ford's South African-built hybrid ute – which will incur a 5 per cent import tariff as Australia does not have a Free Trade Agreement with South Africa, unlike Thailand, where other Rangers are built – will output 207kW, the documents confirm.
Versions of the Ford Mustang and Volkswagen Amarok, a twin-under-the-skin to the Ranger, are fitted with the 2.3-litre turbo-petrol with 232kW and 222kW, respectively, but without hybrid assistance.
European-market versions of the Ranger PHEV have a combined system output of 206kW and 697Nm, more than diesel V6 versions (184kW/600Nm) and with more torque – but less power – than the Raptor's twin-turbo petrol V6 (292kW/583Nm).
The BYD Shark 6 has a total system output of 321kW and 650Nm, while the soon-to-launch GWM Cannon Alpha Plug-In Hybrid has a claimed 300kW and 750Nm output.
In the United Kingdom, a Ranger Wildtrak PHEV costs £1000 ($AU2000) less than an equivalent diesel V6 four-wheel-drive model, which retails in Australia for $74,840 before on-road costs.
Differences between vehicle prices in the UK and Australia make it difficult for a direct conversion, with diesel and PHEV editions of the Wildtrak both costing around $AU90,000 before taxes – or more than $AU110,000 on the road.
The 11.8kWh lithium-ion battery in the Ranger PHEV enables an electric-only driving range "over 45km" on the European WLTP lab-test standard, while the ute's 3500-kilogram braked towing capacity remains unchanged.
Its Pro Power Onboard system will allow its high-voltage battery to power external electrical devices through internal and external outlets, while there are four hybrid drive modes: Auto EV, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge.
Selectable terrain modes will include Slippery, Mud/Ruts and Sand, while drivers can also shift between Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes.
More Australian details on the 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV – including pricing and detailed specifications – will be announced closer to its mid-year launch.
Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.
