Ford initially planned to start accepting orders for the Ford Explorer EV prototype by the end of this year, but that plan has changed. The German and British websites of the American automaker now indicate that orders will begin in the spring of 2024, with delivery in the summer of next year, as Ford has had to push back production by about 6 months from the original schedule.
In terms of appearance, the Ford Explorer EV pure electric version has a very unique design, with almost no resemblance to the gasoline versions of this SUV in both exterior and interior.
Designed for the European market, the Explorer EV looks smaller than the gasoline version with a length of under 4.5 meters “to explore the small cities of Europe”. For comparison, the 2020 Explorer is 5,050 mm long, 2,002 mm wide, and 1,783 mm high with a wheelbase of 3,025 mm.
The 2023 Ford Explorer EV is the first of two fully electric vehicles from Ford that have been confirmed to use the Volkswagen MEB platform for electric vehicles, through collaboration between Ford and Volkswagen.
The notable highlights of the Explorer EV’s design include a front protective shield replacing the traditional grille, hook-shaped LED daytime running lights, and eye-catching alloy wheels.
The top-of-the-line variant will be equipped with dual electric motors, delivering a combined output of 340 PS and 545 Nm of torque. With this power, the Ford Explorer EV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under 6 seconds. In addition, the car will also be offered with two other RWD variants, with power outputs of 286 PS and 170 PS respectively. Ford is aiming for a maximum range of 498 km on a full charge. With fast charging, the Ford Explorer EV can charge from 10-80% in 25 minutes.
According to Ford, the Explorer EV is a 5-seater SUV with a standard luggage compartment capacity of 470 liters, which can be increased to 1,400 liters when the seats are folded down.
The car is equipped with an entertainment system with a 15-inch touchscreen that can be slid up or down according to the driver’s preference, and this also helps conceal a separate lockable storage compartment for storing valuable items in the car. The central screen supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. In addition, the car also has standard wireless charging.
Other amenities in the Explorer EV include heated front seats and steering wheel, massaging function for the driver’s seat, and dual-zone automatic air conditioning. In addition, the car is equipped with a hands-free power tailgate.
For advanced driver assistance systems, the Explorer EV features Lane Change Assist to support safe lane changes and Safe Exit Assist to alert cyclists approaching, especially on crowded city streets.
In Europe, the Ford Explorer EV will be available in two variants, Explorer and Explorer Premium, with an expected starting price of under 45,000 Euros (49,000 USD).
