Ford officially revealed the Ford Bronco New Energy – the all-new electric SUV that electrifies the classic Bronco line-up. The SUV will launch in both pure electric and extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) versions first in China in Q4 2025.
Conceived as part of Ford’s partnership with Chinese automaker Jiangling Motors, the Bronco New Energy is something of a large-scale push of the traditional off-road brand into the electric century. The model takes some design cues from the gas-powered Bronco and the smaller Bronco Sport but rides on a completely new platform.
Impressive Range Figures Set New Benchmarks
The all-electric derivative is powered by an enormous 105.4kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) bladetype battery sourced from BYD and claims a 650km driving range on the CLTC test cycle. But it’s the EREV that is the real star, with a stunning 1,220km total range, electric and petrol combined.
The EREV version of the Volt features a 43.7kWh battery much smaller than that of the pure electric model which gives it 220km of pure electric range and a 1.5l petrol engine used exclusively as a generator. This configuration enables the SUV to provide long adventure capability with no fear of running short on juice.
Dual-Motor AWD Configuration Delivers 311hp
All-wheel-drive with twin electric motors is standard on both models. And for the record: the pure EV is fitted with a 177hp front motor and a 275hp rear motor, to give a combined 311hp output and a top speed of 170kph. The EREV variant uses the same front motor and a smaller 245hp rear motor which operates in tandem with the 150hp petrol engine.
Key specifications include:
- Length: 5,025mm
- Width: 1,960mm
- Height: 1,815mm
- Wheelbase: 2,950mm
- Mass in running order: 2,630kg (EV) 2,510kg (EREV)
Advanced Tech Features
The Bronco New Energy features hints of Ford’s dedication to advanced driver assistance with a lidar sensor on the roof above the windshield indicating a certain degree of advanced driver assistance technology. This makes the SUV a high-end model in China’s fierce electric vehicle SUV segment.
The vehicle itself is a similar size to competitors such as the Kia EV9, so it’s one of the larger electric SUVs in the market. It’s heavier than the regular Bronco, if only a little, despite sharing its 2,950mm wheelbase.
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China-First Strategy, But There’s A Catch
As of now, Ford is debuting the Bronco New Energy only in the Chinese market but has not stated whether it plans to expand availability elsewhere. That would be a dramatic change for Ford, which is absent from India’s car market at present, although the company has hinted that it could return with vehicles such as the Everest SUV.
The development comes at a time when countries worldwide are exploring EREV technology and Indian carmaker Maruti Suzuki too is reportedly developing similar extended range solutions for mass market products. China’s New Way to Butter Up Foreign Automakers Ford’s partnership strategy in China is a study in the pressure exerted on foreign companies by Chinese regulators.