Lucas Bell 
As regulations across the globe force automakers to reshape their lineups and powertrain offerings, the age of electrification and hybridization has arrived. Last week, MC&T reported that Ford Europe has committed to selling only electric passenger cars in Europe by 2030, with two thirds of their commercial vehicle fleet becoming zero emissions vehicles by that date. Thanks to a new report from the Australian outlet Car Expert, we now know how this transition will begin on the commercial vehicle side. According to the Aussies, a Ford Ranger Hybrid is currently in the works for the European market.
We’d like to think it’s at least for the European market.
Ford Europe confirmed to Car Expert that they plan to make their commercial vehicle range, including the Ranger, zero-emissions capable by 2024. This is a fancy way of saying that the company plans on offering hybrid variants of these vehicles in just a few short years. That said, the automaker refused to comment further on the matter, specifically as it relates to other sales markets.
Regardless of the secrecy, it isn’t hard to imagine a Ford Ranger Hybrid finding its way to this side of the pond. The Blue Oval has just rolled out the first hybrid half-ton pickup for sale in the U.S. by way of the F-150 PowerBoost, which is the most powerful F-150 model in the range. Considering the rising popularity of the mid-size truck segment, it seems like a no-brainer to offer a Ford Ranger Hybrid wearing that same nameplate.
Don’t expect the smaller pickup to get the exact same powertrain as its larger sibling however. According to Car Expert, the Ford Ranger Hybrid is expected to arrive with a plug-in hybrid variant of the 2.3L EcoBoost four-cylinder. Currently not in use in any of their products, this hybrid engine is rumored to produce 362 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. That is quite a bit more than any engine Ford currently offers in the mid-size pickup, and is quite impressive indeed. Would you be interested in a Ford Ranger Hybrid, especially at the power level? Let us know down below!
