- Ford’s Ranger PHEV features an 11.8kWh battery with bi-directional charging for external power use.
- Buyers can choose between 2.3kW or 6.9kW Pro Power Onboard configurations at additional cost.
- The system includes in-cabin and tray outlets, with engine backup if battery charge drops too low.
Ford’s plug-in hybrid Ranger has quietly gained a feature more at home in an electric ute than a combustion-powered workhorse, and it could be a game-changer for tradies and weekend warriors alike.
Juice on demand, anywhere you park it
Dubbed Pro Power Onboard, the system essentially turns the Ranger’s 11.8kWh battery into a mobile generator. It’s a party trick previously seen on the all-electric F-150 Lightning, but Ford is now rolling it out to the plug-in Ranger in Europe as well as Australia and New Zealand.
The tech offers two options depending on how much power you need. There’s a 2.3kW version for basic tools and charging, and a beefier 6.9kW version that’s better suited to a heavy-duty kit.
Ranger PHEVs sold in New Zealand come standard with the latter version, which includes a 10A socket in the cabin and two 15A outlets in the tray - ideal for everything from saws to slow cookers.
Push a button, power your life
Activating the system is simple. With Pro Power switched off, a single 400W cabin outlet is all you get. But tap the Generator button and the SYNC 4 touchscreen lights up with controls for each outlet. Crucially, if the battery starts running low, the 2.3-litre petrol engine will automatically kick in to keep the current flowing.
Ford hasn’t released the system’s expected runtime at full load, but the setup is seems designed to prioritise usability, particularly for off-grid worksites or remote play.
More than just a plug-in ute
The Ranger PHEV blends a 2.3-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to produce a combined 206kW and 11.8kWh of battery storage. The electric-only range is rated at 43km, but the appeal here isn’t just eco commuting. It’s the flexibility.
“This is something you’d usually expect from a full EV,” Ford says of the Ranger’s bi-directional charging capability, which remains rare in the plug-in world.
