Ford Australia has announced that it will launch at least five electric vehicles (EVs) by the end of 2024, starting with the highly anticipated Mustang Mach-E later this year. The company also revealed that one of the upcoming EVs will be the all-electric Puma, a small SUV that will compete with the likes of Hyundai Kona Electric and MG ZS EV.
Mustang Mach-E: Ford’s first passenger EV for Australia
The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first passenger EV for the Australian market, and also the first EV to bear the iconic Mustang name. The Mach-E is built on a dedicated EV platform and features a flat floor in the rear and a large 139 L frunk with drainage holes. The Mach-E offers up to 600 km of WLTP driving range from its 91 kWh NCM battery, and can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds with the GT variant, which is currently Ford’s quickest vehicle on sale. The Mach-E has a starting price of $79,990 before on-road costs for the rear-wheel drive Select model, which has a 71 kWh LFP battery and 470 km of WLTP range.
The range-topping GT variant is $107,665 before on-road costs and adds a second motor for the front axle for AWD grip and larger 20″ wheels. Ford Australia has secured good supply for the local market with thousands of Mach-Es available, so there will be no need for limited releases or long wait times for delivery. Customers who have placed orders already can expect to receive their vehicles in December this year.
E-Transit and E-Transit Custom: Ford’s electric vans for commercial use
Ford Australia will also introduce two electric vans for commercial use: the E-Transit and the E-Transit Custom. The E-Transit is expected to arrive very soon, while the smaller E-Transit Custom will follow in 2024. The E-Transit is based on the popular Transit van and offers a payload capacity of up to 1,616 kg and a cargo volume of up to 15.1 cubic metres. The E-Transit has a 67 kWh battery that provides up to 350 km of WLTP range and can be charged from 15% to 80% in 34 minutes using a 115 kW DC fast charger. The E-Transit Custom is based on the Transit Custom van and offers a payload capacity of up to 1,130 kg and a cargo volume of up to 6 cubic metres. The E-Transit Custom has a 56 kWh battery that provides up to 275 km of WLTP range and can be charged from 15% to 80% in 32 minutes using a 115 kW DC fast charger.
All-Electric Puma: Ford’s electric small SUV for urban drivers
Ford Australia has also confirmed that the fourth EV bound for Australia will be the all-electric Puma, which is soon to be shown in Europe. The Puma is a small SUV that will replace the Fiesta hatchback that was dropped here last year, and more recently in Europe. Few details about the Puma have been released so far, but it is expected to have a similar size and design as the current ICE Puma, which is not sold in Australia. The Puma will likely compete with other small electric SUVs such as the Hyundai Kona Electric, MG ZS EV, Kia Niro EV and Nissan Leaf e+. The Puma is slated to begin sales in Europe in early next year, meaning it won’t arrive in Australia until at least mid to late 2024.
Mystery fifth EV: Ford’s unknown electric model for Australia
Ford Australia has not revealed what the fifth EV for Australia will be, but it has hinted that it will be an “incredibly exciting” entry into one of its core segments. Some possible candidates are the F-150 Lightning, an electric version of Ford’s best-selling pickup truck in the US; the Explorer Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid version of Ford’s large SUV; or an all-new electric model that has not been announced yet. Ford Australia says it intends to have at least five full-electric vehicle offerings in Australia by the end of 2024, as part of its global commitment to electrify its entire portfolio by 2030.
