Electric Ford Explorer launches in the UK

The Ford Explorer electric SUV has finally arrived on European shores. After production delays led to an extended wait, the redesigned EV now boasts significant enhancements — most notably, a much-improved range.

Starting with the UK, the Ford Explorer EV aims to bring affordability and flexibility to the European market. Its starting price of under $49,000 makes it quite competitive. Buyers have the choice of three battery options offering varying ranges up to an impressive 374 miles (WLTP). This makes it a compelling alternative for drivers concerned about long journeys. The Explorer EV also supports rapid DC fast charging at up to 185kW, allowing for quick top-ups on the go.

The entry-level Explorer Select starts at £39,875 and comes with the smaller 52 kWh battery pack coupled with a single electric motor powering rear wheels with a rather sheepish 170 hp. You won’t be breaking any speed records with this one but, in return, it won’t break your bank account. The bad news is that it won't be available to order until much later this year.

The Extended Range version starts at £45,875 and comes with the 77 kWh battery pack. In fact, this is the same powertrain we find in the VW ID.4 Pro. With this version you get a promised 374 miles range and a 6.4 seconds sprint to 62 mph, courtesy of the upgraded 286 hp electric motor sitting on the rear axle. This model is ready for orders with deliveries expected to start in September.

For those seeking a bit more performance, the Explorer Extended Range AWD delivers punchy acceleration with a 0-62 mph time of just 5.3 seconds. The twin-motor 340 hp powertrain is shared with the latest ID. Buzz GTX and the ID.7 GTX Touring, and promises plenty of excitement. As expected, the range drops down to still respectable 329 miles, despite the battery having increased capacity to 79 kWh. All that extra performance comes at an extra price - Ford hasn’t released the info yet, but a quick look at its technical sibling VW ID.4 GTX sticker price suggests vicinity of £55,000 in the UK market.

While Ford's decision to delay the Explorer's launch was initially disappointing, it appears to have been a blessing in disguise. The extra time allowed them to make key refinements that wouldn't have been possible with the original configuration. The highlight of these changes is a switch to a new nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery, which provides the impressive 374 miles maximum range.

It's crucial to remember that the Ford Explorer EV is not a mere rebadging of its larger American namesake. It's an entirely different vehicle, filling the space between the popular Volkswagen ID.3 and ID.4 models. This puts the Explorer in direct competition with the likes of Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Skoda Enyaq.

Ford's switch to a dedicated electric platform gives the Explorer the advantage of more spacious cabin and ample cargo space. While there's no front trunk ('frunk'), the trunk rivals that of many larger SUVs, even exceeding that of the Mustang Mach-E.

The Explorer's interior features a 15-inch portrait touchscreen for controling the infotainment. Ford's inclusion of physical controls for key functions is also welcome.

The redesigned Ford Explorer EV shows great promise, blending adventurous spirit with everyday utility. However, the intensely competitive nature of the mid-size electric SUV category means it has little room for error if it's to become a market success.

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