There might be more to the new Ford Maverick and in turn, the Ranger.

Ford has generated huge interest in the potential of hybridized and electrified bakkies.

The American brand, which has effectively disengaged from the traditional passenger car business, is surging ahead in efforts to electrify its bakkie fleet.

The last month has seen Ford’ F-150 Lighting and new Maverick. As a company that has a huge presence in the bakkie market, with F-Series being the world’s best-selling vehicle, Ford’s electric intentions are significant.

For South Africans, the F-150 isn’t that meaningful. Ford isn’t going to build a right-hand-drive version. What is of relevance to local followers, is what happens to Ranger.

When the T6 platform was reintroduced to America, it made Ranger a truly global bakkie. The success of Ranger can be credited to inspiring Ford into developing Maverick, its new hybridized double-cab.

But where does that leave markets that want a Ranger or Maverick sized double-cab bakkie, with a full electric drivetrain? Ford has shown what can be done with the full-size F-150 platform. In theory, scaling that battery and motor-drive technology down to Maverick, should be easy.

When could this happen? Mike Levine is a product communications manager at Ford and has fielded a flood of questions since Maverick was shown. On the issue of an all-electric Maverick, Levine’s answer has been an image, showing the outline of a Maverick/Ranger size double-cab, with implied battery power – and no internal combustion motor.

American companies have spearheaded the move to battery bakkies, but their vehicles are too big for many global markets. Ford is the first, to allude that it has a smaller electric bakkie in development. Which could very exciting, for markets like South Africa, especially as the country tries to push towards possible electric vehicle manufacturing.

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