The Blue Oval is currently in the beginning stages of its pivot toward electrification, a massive endeavor that has the automaker allocating at least $50 billion towards producing a roster of fully electric vehicles. By the end of 2026, the automaker expects to be capable of producing two million electric vehicles per year, which is around the same time those automobiles are expected to become profitable. Before then, it is extremely likely that we’ll see The Blue Oval’s EV roster get filled out with new products, but at this point information is scant about what that vehicle will be, be it an all-new vehicle or an electric version of an existing nameplate. However, a Ford exec provided a major clue about the next EV coming out, and it just might be a fully electric Ford Explorer, per CarsGuide.
“The next vehicle we’re doing is an Explorer-type vehicle, and we’re working on making that insanely great,” said Darren Palmer, vice president of vehicle programs at Ford Model e. As Ford Authority previously detailed, a fully electric Ford Explorer could plausibly be the next EV to come out of The Blue Oval’s stable, as previous reports have outlined that such a model is on track for an early 2025 debut. In fact, the automaker is already planning on converting the Ford Oakville Assembly plant to solely churn out electric vehicles after Ford Edge production ends at some point in 2023.
That said, the upcoming Ford EV might not even wear a Blue Oval badge. A fully electric Lincoln Aviator is slated to join the lineup by 2026, should the luxury brand call the future three-row by a conventional name. An alternative scenario might see a production Lincoln Star join the lineup, since Ford trademarked the name earlier this year, not long after it showed off the concept. While the concept is clearly not ready for production, it shares a lot of visual DNA with modern Lincoln vehicles and likely heavily previews what’s to come in the near future.
Currently, Ford is working on the second generation platforms that will underpin Ford EVs of various shapes and sizes. The Ford F-150 Lightning will likely migrate to one of those platforms, although beyond that, it is unclear what nameplates will also utilize the architecture. At some point, the next-generation Ford Ranger will also go electric, although no specifics about the future variant have come to light. In any event, it appears that the company is focused on introducing a fully electric three-row ahead of diving into other segments, as it pivots toward focusing on “passion brands” and icons.
We’ll have more on Ford’s EVs soon, so subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford Explorer news, Lincoln Aviator news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Lincoln Star concept = Lincoln Aviator EV
They cannot build enough of the EVs/PHEVs/Hybrids that they are selling now, and they want to introduce more EVs?
If you didn’t take such a narrow look at things, you’d realize supply problems are also hitting the ICE production too.
The infrastructure is not in place for these production numbers. Additional brown or black outs throughout the country, weather conditions and seasons of the year need to be taken in .
Such a specific FUD concern.
Either you are gaslighting or have been gaslit, can’t tell because the comment is so dim.
Did your great granddaddy also fret the same thing about electric lightbulbs replacing gas lamps?
I guess that depends on where you live. I’m not sure I’d be too interested in an EV if I lived in CA or TX, for different reasons. The grid, here in Georgia is pretty stable.
The explorer will be another expensive EV and they won’t be able to hit the production numbers. Car lots still empty and they do nothing. Make a deal with intel who has fabs and stock on the toilet. Get some chips made add shifts.
“Stock on the toilet” about says it all.
I work at fords explorer plant
Yep Oakville will be building the electric variant
We can’t even build ICE and hybrid explorers on the same assembly line due to the ridiculous complexity
All that work for 35 miles of ev only range….
It’s Oakville because the EV is a different platform.
A generation ago some dude in Louisville was probably making the same beef then about Chicago getting the Explorer (for essentially the same reason.)
The all-electric Explorer will be an entirely different vehicle than the Explorer PHEV, and get far more than 35 miles of range. Mustang Mach E gets about 300 miles and the F-150 Lightning gets more than 300 on a charge.
What is the plan to replace the void left in the full-sized Crossover segment when you eliminate the Edge?