2025 Ford Explorer: Ford has announced that they will release an electric version of their Explorer SUV in the United States, but this particular Ford Explorer is not that vehicle. Instead, this Explorer is a smaller electric crossover designed for the European market and built in Germany. The car is part of a partnership between Ford and VW and is based on Volkswagen’s MEB platform. It is expected to be available for purchase later this year.
While Ford has not provided specific measurements for this Explorer EV, it appears to be a compact SUV similar to the Escape or Bronco Sport available in the U.S. market. The vehicle features a modern grille-less front, a boxy yet somewhat low-slung design, and distinctive details such as a slatted design element on the C-pillar and chunky wheel patterns.
Inside, the car has a large 14.6-inch vertical touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster, a spacious center console, and a lockable compartment behind the screen. It has two rows of seating with five seats total and provides 17 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.
There is no information yet on the powertrain of the Explorer EV, but it is expected to have a battery pack similar in size to the Volkswagen ID.4, which has 58.0-kWh and 77.0-kWh options. The electric SUV will be available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, and the power output is estimated to range from under 200 horsepower for the base model to over 300 horsepower for higher-end versions.
Production of the Explorer EV will take place in Cologne, Germany, and it is currently only intended for sale in Europe with a starting price of approximately $48,000. While it is unlikely to be sold in the United States, the design of the Explorer EV could provide insight into future electric SUV models from Ford. Another electric crossover based on the MEB platform is planned for release in Europe in 2024, and it may eventually be available in the U.S.
2025 Ford Explorer Review
Ford plans to introduce an electric version of its popular Explorer SUV, although later than initially planned. This model is anticipated to be the company’s first three-row electric SUV. The automaker has stated that the upcoming electric SUV will have a distinct identity from the current gasoline and hybrid versions that seat seven passengers.
Information on this upcoming midsize SUV is limited, but it is expected to be available with standard and extended-range battery packs and come with either rear- or all-wheel drive, much like the recently introduced Ford F-150 Lightning. However, specific details regarding the vehicle’s power output and driving range have not been disclosed by Ford.
It is uncertain whether the upcoming electric Explorer will be built on the same platform as the Mustang Mach-E or on one of two new dedicated battery platforms intended for mid-sized vehicles, trucks, and full-size SUVs, which Ford plans to use for its lineup of electrified vehicles by 2030.
However, potential buyers may be able to draw some conclusions about the platform for the Explorer EV based on Ford’s current electric vehicle lineup. The 2022 F-150 Lightning, for example, is equipped with dual motors that offer 426 horsepower for the standard battery and 563 horsepower for the long-range version, both providing 775 pound-feet of torque.
The larger e-truck is available in two battery options: a standard battery with a usable capacity of 98 kWh (although the actual battery size is larger) that can provide up to 230 miles of range, and an extended-range battery with a capacity of 131 kWh that can enable travel up to 300 miles on a full charge. Meanwhile, the Mustang Mach-E can be equipped with either a 66 kWh or 88 kWh battery.
Ford is investing heavily in its own battery technology, with $5.6 billion earmarked for the Blue Oval City battery manufacturing complex in Tennessee in partnership with Korean manufacturer SK On. The company is also developing a new “Ion Boost” lithium-ion battery that will be used in the F-Series pickups in 2025. The next generation of high-density battery systems may offer improved performance over current equipment, including a 40% lower cost.
Ford aims to sell 600,000 electric vehicles worldwide per year by the end of 2023 and is targeting EVs to account for 40% of its global sales by 2030.
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What’s New
Ford has announced plans to introduce multiple electric SUVs in the near-to-mid-term future. These models include a Ford Explorer Electric and a Lincoln Aviator Electric, which are set to target the United States market. The company confirmed these North American-focused midsize electric SUVs during the Delivering Ford+ (Ford Capital Markets Day 2021) event in May 2021. Since then, further details have been released about the upcoming models.
- New fully electric three-row midsize SUV available with rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive
- Will be equipped with Blue Oval Intelligence that can add new capabilities after purchase
- Likely will enter production in late 2024 as a 2025 model
- Three-row electric SUV
- New features available after purchase
- May have new battery technology
2025 Ford Explorer Interior
The upcoming 2025 Explorer EV is expected to come equipped with Ford’s latest SYNC infotainment system, although it is uncertain if this will be an updated version of SYNC 4 or a completely new system. Currently, Ford’s electric vehicles are offered with SYNC 4 and come with touchscreen displays ranging from 12 to 15 inches in size.
2025 Ford Explorer EV
Electric Ford Explorer to ride on the new BEV architecture
During the Ford Capital Markets Day 2021, Hau Thai-Tang, who is the Chief Product Platform and Operations Officer at Ford, made an announcement about a new exclusive EV platform that will be used for the upcoming Ford Explorer Electric and Lincoln Aviator Electric. He confirmed that both these vehicles would be fully electric and would be built on this new platform.
LFP Batteries
Ford revealed on July 21, 2022, that it intends to utilize CATL’s lithium iron phosphate batteries with cell-to-pack technology in the North American F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E. The automaker is considering using LFP batteries in specific versions of the Explorer EV as well to lower the cost.
Compared to lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries, iron-based batteries are less expensive, safer, and have a longer lifespan. However, they may not have the same range and weight capabilities, which could be a problem for larger vehicles such as the Explorer EV.
Ford Explorer EV reconfirmed
Mike Levine, Ford North America Product Communications Manager, confirmed the plan for the Ford Explorer Electric on Twitter, following the announcement. The company intends to fully electrify the Explorer as part of its goal to have 40% of its lineup as electric vehicles by 2030. Ford predicts that one-third of the full-size pickup segment in the U.S. will be electric by 2030, which translates to over 800,000 vehicles per year.
Ford also aims to capture 70% of the all-electric full-size bus and van industry by 2030, representing more than 300,000 vehicles annually. Additionally, Hau Thai-Tang, Chief Product Platform and Operations Officer at Ford announced a dedicated BEV architecture that is scalable and optimized for the next generation of full-size pickup trucks and utilities.
Expected Features
Active aero
To improve the Explorer EV’s energy consumption, Ford plans to give special attention to its exterior design to make it more aerodynamically efficient compared to the gas-powered Explorer. Weight and dimensions pose challenges for large SUVs, so maximizing aerodynamics is critical.
During an interview with Laycee Schmidtke from the YouTube channel Miss GoElectric on April 26, 2022, Ford CEO Jim Farley confirmed that the company would produce a different type of F-Series electric pickup at the Blue Oval City facility in Tennessee, with active and deployable aero.
A Ford spokesperson later clarified that Farley was referring to a next-generation electric truck different from the F-150 Lightning and that some of its aero features would be used in the Explorer Electric and larger Lincoln electric SUVs.
Active aero features, such as a front grille that can open and close, can help reduce drag during driving and improve the cooling of the battery pack, electric motors, and front brakes.
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Ford Intelligent Backup Power
When the Explorer EV is launched, bi-directional charging is expected to be a common feature among electric vehicles. Ford already offers this feature on the F-150 Lightning with Intelligent Backup Power, which allows customers to use energy stored in their EV’s battery pack to power their homes for up to 10 days. Customers can offload 9.6 kW of power with the F-150 Lightning, but this amount could vary for the Explorer EV.
Sunrun is Ford’s preferred installation partner for Intelligent Backup Power. Another benefit of bi-directional charging is vehicle-to-vehicle charging, which would enable Explorer EV customers to assist other EV users during an outage or charging depletion in a remote location. Additionally, Explorer EV owners could use the vehicle’s battery to power electronics and appliances, such as power tools, during outdoor activities or at remote worksites.
Ford Power-Up
The Explorer EV is expected to have numerous smart and connected features that can be updated using Ford Power-Up software delivered over the air, allowing for easy and quick updates that can be completed in just a few minutes.
Frunk
In the Explorer EV, Ford is considering providing a large front trunk, commonly known as a “frunk,” which will be a dedicated storage area in the front of the vehicle where traditional gas-powered vehicles have their engines.
The mega power frunk can be used to store extra luggage, coolers, golf clubs, and other items, and will have several electrical outlets that can be used to power various devices, such as tools or entertainment equipment.
SYNC 4A
Ford showcased a teaser of the Explorer Electric to dealers, who have reported that the upcoming model features a large touchscreen infotainment system resembling the 15.5-inch portrait display in the Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, based on early video renderings.
The infotainment system, believed to be the SYNC 4A unit, should offer wireless compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa voice assistant, and over-the-air software updates via Ford Power-Up.
Electrifying Icons
During the 2021 Capital Markets Day event, Lisa Drake, vice president of EV Industrialization at Ford Model E, said that launching their battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with their most iconic brands allows the company to elevate its strengths and appeal to a new level. She emphasized that electrifying their “icons” can help grow the Ford brand, citing the fact that around 70% of Mustang Mach-E orders came from customers who switched to Ford from other brands.
Drake also stated that while all Ford models will eventually become electric, iconic brands with a history of strong sales and profitability, including Mustang, Transit, F-150, Ranger, and Explorer, will be given priority in the electrification process.
2025 Ford Explorer Engine
Currently, it is believed that the upcoming 2025 Explorer EV will share the same electric motors and battery packs as the Mustang Mach-E. The Mustang Mach-E is available with either a single electric motor powering the rear wheels or two electric motors powering all four wheels. The Mach-E’s battery packs come in two sizes, 70 kWh and 91 kWh. Horsepower ranges from 266 to 346 hp and torque ranges from 317 to 428 lb-ft, depending on the configuration.
The range of the Mach-E varies from 224 to 312 miles. It is expected that battery capacity and electric motor performance will increase by 2025, which could lead to more power and range for the Explorer EV.
2025 Ford Explorer Safety Features
The 2025 Explorer EV is expected to come with an array of cutting-edge safety features. It’s likely that Ford will offer the Co-Pilot360 package, which currently includes various features such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, the electric SUV is anticipated to feature Ford’s BlueCruise hands-free driver-assist system.
Other expected safety features include forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, automatic high-beam assist, and parking sensors.
2025 Ford Explorer Release Date
Originally scheduled for production in 2023 and sale as a 2024 model year vehicle, the Ford Explorer EV has been delayed and is now expected to hit the market possibly as a 2025 model year vehicle. The initial plan was to produce it alongside its fraternal twin, the Lincoln Aviator EV, and the Mustang Mach-E at the Cuautitlan plant in Mexico.
However, due to the higher-than-expected demand for the Mach-E, some analysts speculate that production lines for the Aviator EV and Explorer EV may have to be relocated to the Oakville Assembly Plant in Toronto.
Production
Ford intends to start producing the Explorer Electric at the Oakville Assembly Plant in Ontario, Canada, in late 2024, according to a report by Automotive News. The plant will be converted into an EV facility after the Edge and Lincoln Nautilus are discontinued. In the fall of 2020, Ford confirmed an investment of $1.8 billion in the Oakville plant and committed to producing five EVs by 2027.
The plan now is to produce only two pure electric mid-size SUVs, the Explorer EV, and the Lincoln Aviator EV, with an estimated combined yearly production of 230,000 units. The facility may also manufacture battery packs.
Ford’s Electric Vehicle targets
Ford has announced plans to produce over 2 million electric vehicles by 2026, which will represent approximately one-third of its global production. The company has separated into three businesses, including Ford E, Ford Blue, and Ford Pro. This announcement was made on March 2, 2022, as part of Ford’s goal to become a carbon-neutral company by 2025 and to have all its manufacturing operations attain carbon neutrality by 2035.
Additionally, on August 5, 2021, Ford supported U.S. President Joe Biden’s executive order to convert 50% of all passenger vehicle sales in America to electric by 2030 and announced its goal for EVs to account for 40-50% of its annual sales in the U.S. by 2030.
Gas-powered Explorer reportedly to stay on until 2035
Although Explorer Electric is a new and exciting venture for Ford, the company does not intend to retire the gasoline-powered version until the middle of the next decade, as reported by Ford Authority on December 29, 2022.
The report cites a product roadmap study by AutoForecast Solutions, which indicates that the combustion version of the Ford Explorer will continue to use the CD6 architecture and will be manufactured at the brand’s 113-acre facility in Chicago until December 22, 2035.
2025 Ford Explorer Price
At this time, Ford has not disclosed the price of the Explorer EV. The current price range for the gas-powered Explorer varies depending on the trim and starts at $35,240 and goes up to $54,610. The hybrid version, which was released in 2020, starts at $50,795.
In comparison, the F-150 Lightning, another electric vehicle from Ford, has a starting price of $39,974, while the Mustang Mach-E starts at $43,895.
