Ford’s electric Explorer SUV for Europe only so far

Ford has revealed the Explorer EV destined for Europe as it aims to have EVs only there by 2030.

It’s unlikely to come to New Zealand, although a Ford New Zealand spokesperson confirms that while it won’t be introducing the Explorer EV here that doesn’t stop a private importer from bringing it in – possibly secondhand.

Ford New Zealand already has some EVs here like the E-Transit and Mustang Mach-E, and the spokesperson says it will have more “but they have to make sense for our market and be competitive for customers”.

The Explorer EV will be built on Volkswagen’s MEB architecture in Cologne, Germany – the first of two Ford vehicles to use that platform, The Verge reports.

Ford won’t release the vehicle’s range until closer to production, but says the Explorer EV will be available in two trims – Explorer and Explorer Premium – prices starting at “less than 45,000 euros” (about NZ$78,226), says The Verge, adding that reservations are open through Ford’s European website.

A noticeable feature in the Explorer EV is a moveable 15-inch centre touchscreen the company says should be better for dealing with outside glare, The Verge explains.

“The screen, which can move up and down, also conceals a built-in lockable storage space for valuables,” it adds, providing a GIF of the screen.

Ford intends converting its German factory into an EV-only assembly line, aiming to produce 1.2 million vehicles over six years.

It plans to have three new passenger vehicles – including a sport crossover with 500km range, a Ford Puma EV version and electric versions of the Transit Courier and Tourneo Courier among four commercial vehicles, says The Verge.

“The company has said it plans to launch an Explorer EV for North America, which will be built at Ford’s factory in Oakville, Ontario, by the end of 2024 (after a previous plan to produce it alongside the Mustang Mach-E in Cuautitlan, Mexico, was scrapped),” The Verge adds.

“Ford is also developing a new electric truck for North America that will likely go on sale in 2025.”

Autocar UK expects Explorer production to start around mid-2023 and provides further details.