Ford unveiled a new Bronco model exclusively for the Chinese market. Called the Bronco New Energy, it comes as either a full battery-electric SUV or as a plug-in hybrid (with a gasoline generator). This new Bronco is boxy and four-door like a larger Bronco Sport, with a full-size spare tire mounted on a swing-out back door. It carries many rugged styling cues as seen on other Broncos (flush door handles, a squared-off body) but rides on a unibody chassis.
Under the hood of the all-electric Bronco, Ford fitted a massive 105.4 kWh battery made by BYD. On China’s testing cycle that battery is good for roughly 404 miles of range (about 650 km ). The SUV uses two electric motors (one on each axle) for all-wheel drive. Together those motors make about 232 kW (311 hp), which lets the Bronco EV cruise up to roughly 105 mph (about 170 km/h). With this setup, it can cover a lot of distance on a charge, keeping the off-road spirit alive with zero emissions.
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The hybrid Bronco (often called an EREV, or extended-range electric vehicle) has a smaller 43.7 kWh battery and a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that only acts as a generator. On electric power alone, it can go about 137 miles (roughly 220 km). When the gas engine kicks in to recharge the battery, the total range jumps up to around 758 miles (about 1,220 km). Combined, the electric motors and generator make about 241 horsepower. This gives the hybrid Bronco a very long driving range, since it can run in pure electric mode for daily use and switch to fuel power for long trips.
Even as an EV, this Bronco is built for the trail. It has chunky all-terrain tires and good ground clearance like a normal Bronco. The rear hatch swings out and carries a full-size spare tire, just like the classic off-road Broncos. One neat high-tech feature: a LiDAR sensor sits on the roof. This suggests Ford plans to include advanced driver-assistance systems (like emergency braking, lane keep assist, or even hands-free driving aids) in the New Energy Bronco. The top off-road trim (likely a “Badlands” version) should also add extra skid plates and off-road gear, making it ready for Chinese backroads.
Ford built this Bronco EV at its joint venture plant with Jiangling Motors in China. The company has only released teaser images and specs so far, but reports say the New Energy Bronco will go on sale in late 2025. Early price estimates are around $42,000–55,000 USD. For now, Ford has said it’s strictly a China-only model, and there’s no word on selling it elsewhere.
As of now, the Ford Bronco New Energy is only bound for China. Ford hasn’t given any timeline for a US version. In North America, every Bronco still uses a gasoline engine (Ford has promised a hybrid Bronco is coming at some point). But the Chinese Bronco EV/EREV shows what an electric or hybrid Bronco could be. It’s a big, rugged SUV with tons of range and modern tech, carrying on the Bronco’s adventurous spirit in an electric future.
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