I have a question for Ford enthusiasts: Do you ever think there will be a Ford Ranger EV? Some of you may believe there’s a simple answer to this—and for the most part, you’d be correct. Although there’s no legitimate confirmation of an upcoming Ranger EV, there are several telling signs that it could be imminent. I don’t know how imminent—and again, no speculations have been officially confirmed by Ford. While we do know the 2022 Ford Ranger doesn’t have an EV sibling, that’s not to say that we could be seeing one within the next few years.
Better question: would we have heard about it by now if it were so imminent? Not exactly, but let’s pump the brakes for a second and start with something simple: Why should we want a Ford Ranger EV?
Why wouldn’t we want a Ford Ranger EV? Nowadays, EVs are more than the sum of their parts and can give us comparable—if not better—performance than the gasoline-powered models that preceded them. I believe the newest Hummer is perfect evidence of that. Of course, the new Hummer arrived over a decade after the last gasoline-powered model, the 2010 Hummer H3.
My father owned a 2010 Hummer H3, and I must say, it was a beast of a machine. It also chewed through his wallet so fiercely through various malfunctions—plus its famously horrendous ability to burn through fuel faster than a chain-smoker with a BIC lighter. It got so bad that he now drives a more fuel-efficient Chrysler 300S, but even that vehicle isn’t perfect. Anyway, enough rambling.
Wouldn’t We Have Heard about a 2023 Ford Ranger EV by Now?
Theoretically, yes—but also no. Any real evidence that could point to an imminent release schedule is already in Ford’s lineup. Consider that the F-150 Lightning was first announced roughly eleven months before its launch. Now, it makes sense that the F-150 would be the first electric truck by the manufacturer because the F-150 is a household name that draws a massive crowd; what better way to captivate the attention of millions of drivers than by giving them an alternative to what they are so accustomed to? Because of this, the F-150 Lightning had a tremendous marketing campaign throughout the year leading up to its launch, and the results were rather spectacular.
With the success of the F-150 Lightning and the Mustang Mach-E, it would only make sense for Ford to begin allocating more time and resources toward developing their electric powertrains, and they’re certainly not alone in this race. I’ll discuss those competitors shortly, but for now, all you need to know is that EVs aren’t going anywhere (and if you ask me, I believe that more vehicles will have electric counterparts than those that don’t within ten years).
Sure, the F-150 Lightning isn’t the cheapest truck in the lineup, but that’s just it: It doesn’t need to be. Ford knew what the F-150 Lightning was going to do, and it certainly has changed more than a few minds about what a truck can do. Electric drivetrains really can harness the power typically associated with gasoline-powered pickup trucks.
Fierce Competition Awaits
When it comes to EVs, Ford is certainly not alone in research and development. Of course, EVs aren’t new—but they’re newer to Ford. So, the discussion has shifted from, “Who has EV powertrains?” to, “How are they used?” For starters, we don’t have to look too far into the industry to see that something big is cooking up, and some of you may already know where I’m hinting at….
Ah yes…Elon Musk. Before this guy purchased Twitter and sent the social media world into a frenzy overnight, Tesla has been actively developing new—and quite frankly, impressive—pieces of machinery that you won’t truly find anywhere else (or at least, not yet). Tesla had competitors of its own to fend off before Ford even entered the realm of EVs. Competitors such as Rivian are ultimately planning to compete with Tesla, and with the likes of the R1T and R1S, it’s certainly going to be an interesting turn of events. We’ve seen what Tesla has done with the likes of the Model S, 3, X, and Y—which, come to think of it, makes plenty of sense for a guy who originally named his son “X Æ A-12.” Don’t try to pronounce it, because I can’t tell if that’s supposed to be an ‘A’ or an ‘E.’
Then again, Tesla has yet to officially release an electric truck, and it’s something that people have been anxiously waiting for—even if they’re not planning on buying one. But why is that? Tesla, again, has done tremendous things with its lineup, and the thought of the Cybertruck sends many automotive enthusiasts up a wall with excitement.
Is it all style and no substance? Probably not; it is something magnificent. However, that window getting destroyed during the 2019 reveal event was pretty funny, was it not? Perhaps it wasn’t for Tesla’s shareholders, but for people like myself who cherish the comedy that comes from live presentation mishaps from a major corporation, it’s at least a bit funny. I digress. Tesla is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the EV scene, but as you may know, Tesla vehicles don’t cater to most budgets.
What’s Musk Got to Do with It?
So how does this all link back to the potential of a Ford Ranger EV? Ultimately, whether some drivers like it or not, the industry is slowly shifting toward a blend of EVs, hybrids, and gasoline-powered vehicles. Chevy, Toyota, Nissan, and now, Ford, all feature EVs in one form or another—and this battle is just starting. On the higher end, Rivian and Tesla will likely push the industry and concepts further than most, because someone has to lead the way.
Even with that said, not every EV is immediately affordable. But, there is also a pivotal shift we’re beginning to see from our favorite manufacturers. For example, Chevy has the Bolt EV and EUV, and the Silverado EV is the direct answer to the F-150 EV. So where does that leave the Ranger? I’ll wrap up.
Yes or No? Maybe
Should there ever be a Ranger EV, it would likely either follow in the footsteps of a competing manufacturer—or might even be the first of its kind. Here’s what I mean: The Chevy Colorado and Toyota Tacoma are two direct competitors of the Ranger, and as of now, there’s no official word on whether there will be a Colorado EV. The Toyota Tacoma, on the other hand, has been making a stir in the news about an upcoming EV model.
Perhaps this is the best lead we’ve got to go on. If a Tacoma EV does come to fruition, Ford’s first counter-step may just be to release a Ranger EV. If there’s anything you should take away from this, it’s that EVs are changing the face of the industry—but it doesn’t mean a thing if drivers can’t get these vehicles in their hands. Not only will Ford’s entries lower the cost of future EVs, drawing more customers in; the ever-changing world of gas prices just might seal the deal. All I know is, buckle up…because we haven’t seen anything yet.
