2025 Ford Ranger Plug-in Hybrid spotted on a Bunnings run

The incoming Plug-In Hybrid model wears no specific badging to identify its electrified heart, but the ute spied at Bunnings last week had a couple of giveaways: the charging cover forward of the regular fuel cap, and the 'EV' sticker on its number plates.

These photos of the upcoming Ford Ranger 'PHEV' in a Bunnings carpark were posted to the Next Gen Ranger Owners Australia Facebook group.

With prices and model specifications yet to be confirmed, the PHEV Ranger in the photos resembles a Wildtrak-like trim specification, with blacked-out wheels – largely matching the official images published in September 2023.

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Photo credit: Next Gen Ranger Owners Australia / Facebook

It is likely that the spied Ranger Plug-in Hybrid is involved in ongoing compliance and fuel efficiency testing, in relation to Australia’s upcoming emissions standards.

Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government said in February 2024: "I've also had the opportunity to be driven on the [Ford] test track down near Geelong of the new Ford Ranger... It's a hybrid vehicle, and what that allows you to do is for those smaller jobs you're going in between, so if you're a tradie, in between those you use electric if you're not going very far."

Ms King's department, amongst others, has been involved in devising the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard for 2025.

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Photo credit: Next Gen Ranger Owners Australia / Facebook

About the Ranger Plug-in Hybrid

Ford has confirmed the Ranger PHEV will combine the company's 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, providing the most torque of any Ranger variant.

Specific power and torque figures still to be detailed, but there are some known figures we can work with. The 2.3-litre Ecoboost four-cylinder petrol, for example, makes 222kW/452Nm in the Volkswagen Amarok which was co-developed with Ranger.

A driving range of 45km in full-electric mode is expected, and the Ranger's 3500kg towing capacity is retained for the PHEV models.

The Ranger PHEV also features “Pro Power Onboard”, allowing it to power tools and act as a driveable generator, with three dedicated 240V / 10A power outlets fitted (two in the tray, one in the cabin).

The Ranger PHEV will be manufactured in South Africa, meaning that some models may incur a 5 percent import tariff.

Pricing and variants that will offer PHEV technology are yet to be announced by Ford.

Would you buy a plug-in hybrid Ranger for your family or business? Let us know below.