Is a Ford Everest PHEV coming? Electrified SUV sibling to plug-in hybrid Ranger not ruled out as Blue Oval gauges demand for petrol-electric models

Ford Australia has just launched the highly anticipated Ranger plug-in hybrid, with the Blue oval soon to boast two plug-in hybrid models in its commercial vehicle range.

But of course, the question remains — what other models will join the 2025 Ford Ranger PHEV and the incoming Transit Custom PHEV van?

There’s another closely related model that seems like an easy candidate — the Everest SUV.

Ford’s Director of Global Truck for International Markets Group, Nat Manariti, didn’t rule out further plug-in variants of the Ranger in different body styles.

“We’re watching closely what it is that the customers want,” said Manariti.

“Depending on that feedback and depending on the demand will determine the future.

“But at the moment we are launching just the dual-cab variant.”

Ford’s focus for the Ranger was to avoid compromising the Ranger’s capability as a ute - its ability to tow 3500kg, its near-1000kg payload, and its ability to go off-road.

Because of this, the Ranger PHEV has a relatively small 11.8kWh of useable battery capacity and a limited electric-only driving range of 49km under optimistic NEDC test conditions, which means in the real world a fully charged battery wouldn’t last some drivers over a regular daily commute.

Given the shared mechanicals between the Ranger and its SUV cousin, the Ford Everest, the logical next question was whether the Everest would also score the PHEV treatment. 

However, the response from Manariti suggested Ford was less likely to explore the possibility before an expansion of the tech in its ute.

“Everest, look we’d love to just drop it into Everest, but Everest is a different make [sic] and vehicle so today we’re centred around launching it from a Ranger perspective. There’s nothing that I can tell you about electrification of the other products.”

But when asked if there is demand for a plug-in version of the Everest, the answer wasn't ‘no’.

“Not as strong as from a Ranger perspective, or from a pick-up perspective, but as the market continues to evolve and immerse in electrification… we’ll see.”

It’s similar to the answer we were given by Ford Australia President, Andrew Birkic, at the brand’s Australian 100th anniversary celebrations in Melbourne earlier this year.

“I’m sure there is [demand for Everest PHEV]… [but] we’ve got nothing to share on that,” Birkic said at the time.

The comments don’t rule out the possibility Ford is already working on an electrified Everest, but one thing it seems like Ford’s not about to reveal is a more performance-oriented Ranger PHEV - i.e. a Raptor.

Ford Australia’s Ranger PHEV Chief Program Engineer Phil Millar said the team hadn’t put the idea on the work bench yet, but pointed out that it was technically possible since the plug-in hybrid system should be able to work with the similarly arranged Ranger Raptor.

Given the price difference between non-hybrid and PHEV variants now on sale, it’s likely a plug-in version of the Raptor would nudge or even breach the $100,000 mark.

But, as Manariti suggested, Ford Australia likely won’t make any more moves on plug-in hybrid utes until it’s clear there’s demand, and four Ranger variants are already on the market as a litmus test.