Ford Puma goes electric, but is it coming to Australia? Hyundai Kona, MG ZS EV rival headed to Europe along with a range of electric SUVs and commercial vehicles

Ford is ramping up its electric vehicle stable in a big way, confirming it will launch nine EVs in Europe by 2024.

As well as the Mustang Mach-E that is already on sale there, Ford has locked in an all-electric version of the Puma light SUV, and two as-yet unnamed SUV models – a medium-sized crossover and a sport crossover, according to Ford.

On top of the SUVs, Ford will add to its commercial vehicle range with electric versions of the Transit Courier and Tourneo Courier small van and passenger van twins, and the Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom medium van and passenger van twins. The E-Transit large van is launching in Europe next quarter.

This announcement relates to Ford of Europe as part of its commitment to have a fully electric line-up, and achieve carbon neutrality on the old continent by 2035.

However, this could mean Australia is in line for more EVs from the Blue Oval in the coming years.

In September last year, Ford Australia announced its initial zero and low emissions vehicle plans, confirming that it will launch at least five electrified models by 2024.

Electrified means fully electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid, and the first model coming is the long-delayed Escape PHEV followed by the E-Transit large commercial van. The other models remain a mystery, but the Mustang Mach-E has been all but ruled out, for now.

Of the 10 models in its current line-up, Ford Australia sources the Fiesta and Focus ST, Puma and Escape from Europe and the Transit and Transit Custom and Bus are from Turkey.

It is therefore possible that Ford Australia could add to its European model range with some of these electric models.

The most logical models for Australia are the SUVs, including the Puma. An electric Puma would give Ford a rival to small electric SUVs like the MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, Mazda MX-30 and Kia Niro. Production of the electric Puma will start in Romania in 2024.

As part of Ford’s partnership with Volkswagen Group, the medium-sized crossover that will be built from 2023 will be underpinned by VW’s MEB platform that is used across a number of models in the group, including the ID.4 and ID Buzz, Skoda Enyaq and Cupra Born.

Ford says the name of the new medium crossover will be announced this year and it will have a driving range of 500km.

This model will be followed by a second MEB-based Ford model, but the company has not released details of this vehicle yet.

Ford is also keeping quiet on the sports crossover model, aside from confirming that, like the medium crossover, it will be built at Ford’s Cologne, Germany plant.

Ford Australia would not confirm if it was considering any of these future electric models, but said in a statement that it will consider EV models that meet Australian buyers' expectations.

"We're pleased to see a growing appetite for EVs in Australia, and we're taking a considered approach to electrification to make sure we get our offering right for our customers.

"Whether their vehicle is for commercial or personal use, Ford owners are very clear that they expect toughness, performance and capability from our vehicles, and so our focus is on offering EVs that meet those expectations."