The Ford Explorer EV is a
battery electric compact crossover SUV
Compact crossover SUV is an automobile classification used mainly in North America to describe a segment of crossover SUV, a type of sport utility vehicle, between subcompact crossover SUV and mid-size crossover SUV.
By the late 2010s, the segm ...
(
C-segment
The C-segment is the 3rd category of the Euro Car Segment, European segments for passenger cars and is described as "medium cars". It is equivalent to the Euro NCAP "small family car" size class, and the compact car category in the United States.
...
) produced by
Ford through its
European operations. Produced in the
Cologne Body & Assembly
Cologne Body & Assembly is an automobile manufacturing plant owned by the Ford Motor Company and located in the Niehl quarter, Nippes district of Cologne, Germany. This factory is not to be confused with the smaller development and spare parts ...
in Germany and marketed mainly in Europe, the vehicle is based on the
Volkswagen Group MEB platform
The Volkswagen Group MEB platform (, 'modular electric-drive toolkit') is a modular car platform for electric cars developed by the Volkswagen Group and its subsidiaries.Julian RendellSkoda electric vehicle under development '' Autocar''. Publis ...
, and uses Volkswagen supplied powertrain. The vehicle shares its name and design inspiration
with the
larger SUV produced in the U.S., which is chosen by Ford "as a nod to our American heritage".
The Explorer EV was planned to be available to order from September 2023, with the first units due to arrive by December of the same year. In August 2023, Ford announced the Explorer EV launch will be pushed back to 2024, due to new battery regulations. Production at the Cologne plant started in June 2024.
Overview
The Explorer was revealed on 21 March 2023. Built on the same MEB platform as the
Volkswagen ID.4, the vehicle is the result of an ongoing partnership between the two brands, which has included sharing commercial vehicles. It is produced in the
Cologne plant in Germany, which previously manufactured the
Fiesta small car.
The design of the Explorer was done under the direction of lead designer Jordan Demkiw.
During its introduction, Ford stated the vehicle combines "German engineering" with the brand's "iconic American SUV design". Compared to its sister car, the ID.4, Ford designers were able to create a shorter rear section, move the
A-pillars further rearward, and use a wider
track. To ensure the Explorer "drives like a Ford", Demkiw stated that the vehicle received different dampers, tyres, and suspension tuning compared to its
Volkswagen
Volkswagen (VW; )English: , . is a German automotive industry, automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. Established in 1937 by German Labour Front, The German Labour Front, it was revitalized into the global brand it ...
counterpart.
Ford specifically picked the length of the vehicle halfway between the
Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4, to avoid direct competition with both models.
In the interior, the Explorer is available with an adjustable 14.6-inch portrait display running Ford's
Sync
Sync and synch are abbreviations of synchrony, or synchronization, the coordination of events to keep them in time. The opposite of synchrony is asynchrony.
Sync or synch may also refer to:
Computing and technology
*Sync (Unix), a command and a ...
Move software, which allows for full-screen mapping and access to all the smartphone connectivity options. The angle of the screen is adjustable in 20 stages by up to 30 degrees for easier usage and to avoid glare. The Explorer EV also features a 5.0-inch floating digital instrument display that offers driving data, battery charge levels and
driver assistance
Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) are technologies that assist drivers with the safe operation of a vehicle. Through a human-machine interface, ADAS increases car and road safety. ADAS uses automated technology, such as sensors and camer ...
status.
The boot of the Explorer offers an integrated parcel shelf that moves with the tailgate for easier access. The luggage space is rated at , or with the rear seats folded.
Details
The options for the Explorer starts with a
rear-wheel-drive
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) is a form of engine and transmission layout used in motor vehicles, in which the engine drives the rear wheels only. Until the late 20th century, rear-wheel drive was the most common configuration for cars.
Most rear-whee ...
version which is rated at of horsepower. It is equipped with a Volkswagen supplied 55 kWh (52 kWh usable) battery with an estimated range of up to . Other options include a more powerful single-motor model with , featuring a larger 82 kWh (77 kWh usable) battery that is rated at around in a single charge. This model also has a maximum charging speed of 170 kW. The flagship model Explorer has dual motors with a combined , with the same battery and charging capabilities as the mid-range model. The most expensive model is capable of of range with towing capability rated at . All models are capable of fast charging from 10 to 80 percent in about 25 minutes.
The available wheel sizes are 19, 20 and 21 inches.
Marketing
To promote the launch of the Explorer in Europe, the automaker has announced that the electric vehicle will embark on a journey around the world, led by influencer
Lexie Alford
Alexis Rose Alford (born April 10, 1998), also known as Lexie Limitless, is an American adventure traveler and YouTuber who is notable for traveling to 195 countries before reaching the age of twenty-two. Alford was awarded two Guinness World Reco ...
, who holds the record for the youngest person to visit every country of the world.
Safety
References
External links
* (United Kingdom)
{{Modern European Ford vehicles
Explorer EV
Explorer EV
Cars introduced in 2023
2020s cars
Compact crossover sport utility vehicles
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
All-wheel-drive vehicles
Production electric cars