The Ford Explorer EV Gets An LFP Battery And Bidirectional Charging

The European-made Ford Explorer EV can now be specced with an LFP battery.
The entry-level crossover’s electric motor got a power bump, too.
Vehicle-to-load bidirectional charging has also been added, along with a new Android-based infotainment system.

Ford might be slimming down its electric car portfolio in the United States, but over in Europe, the lineup is constantly being upgraded. The Ford Explorer EV, which is based on the same underpinnings as the Volkswagen ID.4, is getting a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, a more powerful electric motor, a new infotainment system, and more driver assistance systems.

The entry-level Explorer EV Standard Range is now powered by an LFP battery pack that’s larger and enables a longer driving range than the outgoing model’s nickel manganese oxide (NMC) pack. With a 58-kilowatt-hour capacity, the base LFP battery enables a WLTP-rated range of up to 276 miles (444 kilometers), a 37-mile (60 km) increase over the previous 52 kWh NMC battery. Compared to a traditional NMC cell, LFP cells are known for being more resilient, though their energy density is lower.

Photo by: Ford

The rear electric motor of the Standard Range trim has also been updated. It now makes 187 horsepower, up from the previous model’s 165 hp, and 258 pound-feet (350 Newton-meters) of torque. As a result, the base electric crossover can now accelerate from zero to 62 miles per hour in eight seconds.

Charging-wise, the new LFP battery can accept up to 105 kilowatts from a DC fast charger, making for a 10-to-80% top-up in 26 minutes. By comparison, the larger 77- and 79-kWh NMC batteries available on the more expensive Explorer EV trims can be charged at 185 kW and 183 kW, respectively. However, due to the higher energy capacity, they need more time to go from 10% to 80%, with Ford quoting 27 minutes for the 77 kWh pack and 29 minutes for the 79 kWh version.

The refreshed Explorer EV comes standard with vehicle-to-load (V2L) bidirectional charging, enabling it to export energy from its high-voltage battery to power tools and appliances when the grid goes down or at a campsite. There’s a household power outlet in the trunk, and Ford is offering an optional adapter that turns the charging port into a second outlet. Dubbed Pro Power Onboard, the system has a combined output of 2.3 kilowatts on the Explorer EV.

Photo by: Ford

Inside, the electric compact crossover is now fitted with a new, Android-based infotainment system that Ford claims works better than the old system. There’s also a new design theme and the ability to group apps into folders, just like on a smartphone.

One-pedal driving is now standard on all versions, and the Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control system can recognize traffic lights and signs. What’s more, a system called Driver State Assist monitors the driver’s attention level using a video camera and the lane-keeping assistant. If the driver doesn’t give any inputs, the car will automatically tap the brakes, and if the driver doesn’t respond, the EV will automatically put on its hazard lights and come to a complete stop. The doors will also be unlocked, and the emergency services will be called.

Last but not least, a new Explorer Collection trim has been added to the lineup. It includes new 20-inch satin black alloy wheels, an exclusive Cactus Grey exterior paint color, a black roof, front and rear skid plates, and special graphics on the doors and rear pillars.

The changes brought to the Explorer EV come hot on the heels of another product update in Ford’s European EV portfolio. Last week, the Puma Gen-E got a bigger battery that improves the range of the Romanian-built crossover.