Bronco Goes Electric: Ford Debuts Electric Bronco Lineup for Chinese Market

Ford has launched electrified versions of its legendary Bronco SUV exclusively for the Chinese market. Introduced under the “Bronco New Energy” banner, the lineup includes both a fully electric variant and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), highlighting Ford’s strategy to expand its footprint in China’s fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) segment.

Design-wise, the Bronco New Energy borrows heavily from the Bronco Sport, featuring the signature boxy silhouette and rugged styling cues that appeal to off-road enthusiasts. However, underneath its familiar exterior lies a completely new powertrain lineup engineered for efficiency and electrification, rather than the traditional gasoline-powered muscle of its U.S. counterpart.

The all-electric version is equipped with a 105.4-kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) “blade” battery sourced from BYD’s FinDreams division—the same supplier that provides batteries for Tesla’s Gigafactory in Shanghai. It utilizes a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup, with a 130 kW motor up front and a 202 kW unit at the rear, delivering a CLTC-estimated driving range of 650 kilometers.

Meanwhile, the PHEV variant pairs a 43.7-kWh battery with a combustion engine, offering an electric-only range of 220 kilometers and a total range of up to 1,220 kilometers. This combination makes it well-suited for daily urban commuting as well as longer journeys.

While Ford hasn’t revealed full performance specs yet, it’s clear the Bronco New Energy prioritizes everyday practicality and fuel efficiency over the rugged off-road capabilities seen in the American version. Still, it retains adventurous design elements like muscular wheel arches, roof rails, and bold bumpers that preserve the Bronco’s outdoorsy identity.

Built on a unibody architecture similar to the Bronco Sport—which shares its platform with the Ford Escape and Focus—the Bronco New Energy is notably larger. It measures 5,025 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width, and up to 1,825 mm in height, with a 2,950 mm wheelbase. Compared to the five-door Bronco, it’s slightly longer, wider, and lower. A rear-mounted spare wheel adds a rugged touch, nodding to the ladder-frame Bronco’s styling.

For now, the Bronco New Energy is exclusive to China. However, its launch hints at the possibility of Ford introducing electrified Bronco models to other global markets down the line. In 2024, Ford CEO Jim Farley hinted at the potential for a right-hand-drive version of the full-size Bronco to compete with Land Rover offerings—though nothing has been officially confirmed yet.