A lack of consumer demand is to blame, at least for the Explorer.
Both the Explorer and the Aviator will see a refresh in 2025 that could bring back the hybrids.
The police-interceptor version of the electrified Ford will remain available.
Amid the frequent addition of new electric and hybrid models to most automaker’s lineups, Ford has decided to discontinue the electrified version of two of its SUVs.
Indeed, the Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator won’t be available in hybrid form for the 2024 model year.
According to the automaker, this surprising decision is the result of a lack of consumer demand for the hybrid Explorer. Lincoln has yet to say why it is also discontinuing the Aviator PHEV, but since it shares its platform and assembly plant with the Explorer, it likely didn’t make much financial sense to keep only this model alive.
Having said that, the police-interceptor version of the Explorer hybrid will continue to be offered to law enforcement agencies across North America on its own.
At the moment, the Ford Explorer hybrid is powered by a 3.3L V6 engine and an electric motor, making a combined 318 horsepower and returning an average fuel consumption of only 8.7 L/100 km.
2021 Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring | Photo: Matt St-Pierre
Despite being closely related to the Explorer, the Lincoln Aviator benefits from its own unique hybrid powertrain. This plug-in system uses a 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine, an electric motor, and a 13.6 kWh battery pack. This gives the Aviator Grand Touring an all-electric range of about 34 kilometres, in addition to an output of 494 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque.
Since most car companies, including Ford, are working toward electrification, there are rumours that the mid-cycle refresh planned for the Explorer and Aviator in 2025 might bring back hybrid powertrains after a one-year hiatus, possibly in updated form.
Then again, Ford has already confirmed it will not sell the hybrid version of the new Ranger compact pickup in North America since it believes the market is saturated with hybrid options, which doesn’t look good for a return of the Explorer and Aviator hybrids.
Source: Carscoops
