Update: Introduction, ‘Electrification for the Expedition & Explorer,’ ‘Under the hood,’ and ‘Price & Release Date’ sections revised.
The technology behind the Chevrolet Volt and BMW i3 REx is making a comeback, this time in larger, more capable vehicles. Hundreds of thousands of trucks and SUVs with range extenders are expected on U.S. roads in the next five years. About 16 new EREVs are expected by 2028, bridging the gap between gas and electric in larger vehicle segments.
Ford confirms EREVs
We’re also prioritizing hybrids across our lineup, including the development of extended range hybrid options.
Jim Farley, the President and CEO of Ford, during the company’s Q3 2025 earnings call on October 23, 2025
Ford is also working on a range extender powertrain, which should benefit the Expedition and Explorer models this decade. The company is developing three-row electrified SUVs which offer better range than pure-electric models.
Speaking at Ford’s fourth quarter 2024 earnings conference, on February 5, 2025, Jim Farley, the President and CEO of Ford, was convinced that EREV is a “technology (that) gives them (American buyers) the electric experience without the range anxiety.”
While Farley or Ford didn’t offer information on the nameplates that would adopt EREVs, the CEO dropped a hint earlier during the call when delivering his remarks. He pointed out that “larger retail electric utilities” in pure EV versions were really a tough business case given the expense of the batteries. And it’s clear that these Ford vehicles would be prioritized for EREVs.
Electrification for the Expedition & Explorer
The Explorer and the Expedition are from the Ford Blue division, and all Ford Blue products are officially confirmed in the waiting list for hybrid powertrains.
These continued improvements will help us reach our aspiration of offering hybrid powertrains across the entire Ford Blue lineup in North America by the end of the decade.
From Ford’s 2025 Integrated Sustainability and Financial Report that discusses innovations in Ford’s hybrid powertrains
The UAW Ford Agreement, which was released following the conclusion of the workers’s strike from October 2023, confirms that the Ford Expedition, including a hybrid version, will continue production at Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville. Ford has not shared release dates, but the plan signals the next step toward electrifying its largest SUV.
Likewise, the official document also mentions that Ford would continue building the Explorer Hybrid at the Chicago Assembly Plant. Ford discontinued the hybrid variant for the civilian market in 2024, and is currently only offering it to U.S. law enforcement as the Police Interceptor squad car.
The Explorer performed well in most areas during my time with it, but its lack of a hybrid option for improved fuel efficiency is a shortcoming compared to Japanese and Korean competitors.
Under the hood
It’s not hard to imagine the Explorer and Expedition receiving the system that’s confirmed for the F-150 Lightning EREV. Expected to arrive in 2027, Ford said that it offers an estimated 700+ mile range for long-distance travel and towing.
This makes it possible to complete trips in the city for a week without recharging, and enjoy weekend excursions without needing charging stations. The next-generation model will also offer exportable power (V2L) for the worksite, and home power backup.
While Ford is yet to detail the complete specs, we expect 175-200 kW DC fast charging (adding about 60 miles of range in 10 minutes), 100-150 miles of pure-electric range, and a minimum towing capacity of 10,000 lbs.
Therefore, Ford will develop a new family of electrified three-row SUVs which will include hybrid technologies that can offer breakthrough efficiency, performance benefits and emissions reductions versus pure gas vehicles and extend the range of the vehicle on road trips relative to pure electric vehicles.
From Ford’s electrification strategy announcement on August 21, 2024
During Ford’s Capital Markets Day 2023, the company explained that achieving 300 miles of highway range on the current Expedition platform would require a 150 kWh battery. A range-extender system can serve as a middle-ground solution, reducing reliance on a heavy and expensive battery pack while BEV technology advances and costs decrease.
Price & Release Date
We’re not expecting Ford’s first EREVs to be revealed before 2027. Automotive News had projected that the next refresh for the Expedition in 2028, which could also mark the introduction of the hybrid version.
The Explorer received its refresh for MY2025, and any future variants are likely at least a couple of years away from this point. Ford could price a midsize EREV from around USD 55,000, and the full-size EREV SUV from around USD 70,000.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
