Ford Explorer EV Is on Sale, but Not Here in the US

• Ford Explorer EV goes on sale in Europe, based on Volkswagen's MEB platform shared with the ID.4 and other models.

• The Explorer EV offers a top range of 374 miles in the WLTP cycle and is offered in RWD and AWD versions.

• The Europe-only model is a bit smaller than the VW ID.4 as well as the Mustang Mach-E, and has been engineered for the European market.

The Ford Explorer EV is finally on the way, though it's not a model you'll find on Ford's website in the US. The electric SUV is a model built for Europe using Volkswagen's MEB platform, and it has been in the works for some time.

But it's not a badge-engineered Volkswagen ID.4. And it's not exactly cheap.

In teaming up with Wolfsburg on this project, Ford Europe has opted for a compact footprint and an exterior design that's quite distinct from the Mustang Mach-E. And it's strictly a five-seater, featuring short overhangs suited to European cities.

In single-motor form, the Explorer has a 282-hp motor out back drawing power from a 77-kWh battery—specs that should be pretty familiar to those who own an ID.4. This version is actually rated at 374 miles in the WLTP cycle, which seems like a massive range on paper for an EV this size.

EPA figures will likely be more conservative, perhaps just north of 300 miles, though we'll probably never get the official number from the US agency. So perhaps it's best to take the 374-mile rating with a bit of a discount.

Ford showcased the new EV's abilities by having British adventurer Lexie Alford circumnavigate the world in the electric Explorer, covering some 18,640 miles while visiting six continents and 27 countries.

Completing the trip just this week, Alford became the first person to circle the world in an EV, the automaker noted.

"Lexie's journey has been the ultimate test drive for our new Ford Explorer, taking on every kind of weather and road condition, and dealing with just about every charging scenario," said Martin Sander, general manager, Ford Model e Europe.

A dual-motor version of the Explorer EV is on the menu as well with two motors producing a combined 335 hp, paired with a barely larger 79-kWh battery. And yes, that's also the recipe for Volkswagen's GTX-flavored ID.4.

A third model will be offered as well later on paired with a smaller 52-kWh battery, and it will be the entry-level model in the range.

For now, the single-motor 77-kWh model starts at the equivalent of $58,000, which is significant on a continent that's currently seeing Chinese EVs arrive with much lower starting prices.

But the European Explorer EV is not headed stateside at all—Ford has been quite adamant about this.

At the moment there is no shortage of EVs offered stateside with similar specs, and that's perhaps part of the reason we won't see the small Explorer here.

For now Ford is hopeful the electric Explorer will make a splash in the European market, which has seen a dramatic surge in demand for EVs since 2020, as well as a few EV price wars in the past year and a half.

"There are enough boring cars and SUVs out there," said Ford CEO Jim Farley. "The new Explorer represents Ford's unique character, which is stamped on every car in this fantastic convoy."

Ford has actually planned two electric crossovers based on the MEB platform, both of them for Europe. So this partnership with VW isn't quite complete.

Should Ford offer the Explorer EV stateside, or does the Mustang Mach-E make more sense here? Let us know in the comments below.