Ford Australia begins EV journey with Escape PHEV arrival

Ford Australia says its first electric vehicle, the Escape plug-in hybrid (PHEV), is now on general sale in dealerships around the country, giving customers more options in the mid-size SUV segment.

Ford says it will introduce at least five electrified vehicles to the Australian market by the end of 2024. 

The Escape PHEV combines a 2.5L four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine, electric motor, and generator with a 14.4kWh lithium-ion battery, for a combined 167kW of power. The combined fuel economy figure is 1.5L/100km and CO2 is 33g/km.

Ford’s first PHEV in Australia will deliver electric driving range in excess of 50 kilometres.

The battery can be charged using a passenger-side front guard mounted charging port and is automatically replenished on the move using regenerative charging technology that captures the kinetic energy normally lost during braking. Drivers can choose when and how to deploy battery power using four different modes: EV Auto, EV Now, EV Later and EV Charge.

 When the vehicle is in EV Now mode, and the battery reaches its lowest state-of-charge, Escape PHEV will automatically revert to EV Auto mode, supplementing the petrol engine power with electric motor assistance.

The Escape PHEV will be backed by Ford’s five-year, unlimited kilometre factory warranty, with the electric motor and high-voltage system parts, including the battery, covered by an eight-year/160,000km (whichever comes first) warranty.

Eligible owners can take advantage of Ford service benefits such as a Service Loan Car, Auto Club Membership including National Roadside Assistance as well as Sat Nav Map Updates. With service intervals every 15,000 km/12 months, eligible Escape PHEV owners will pay a maximum of $299 per A & B scheduledservices for the first four services up to 4 years/60,000km (whichever comes first).