The Ford Explorer comes in a plug-in hybrid version, not a fully electric one

Ford does not currently make a fully electric Explorer. What Ford does offer is the Explorer Hybrid and the Explorer Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV), which are different vehicles with different fuel sources and driving ranges. The plug-in hybrid is the closest to an electric option — it has a battery you charge at home or at a charging station, plus a gas engine that kicks in when the battery runs low.

If you are shopping for an Explorer and want electric capability, you need to understand which model does what. The regular hybrid uses only gas and regenerative braking to charge itself. The plug-in hybrid lets you drive on battery power alone for shorter trips, then switches to gas for longer ones. Neither one is purely electric, and that matters for your daily driving and fuel costs.

Key Takeaways

  • Ford makes a plug-in hybrid Explorer that charges from an outlet or charging station, but not a fully electric Explorer.
  • The plug-in hybrid can drive roughly 30 to 40 miles on battery power alone before the gas engine engages.
  • Charging at home requires a Level 2 charger (240-volt), which takes 8 to 10 hours for a full charge.
  • The plug-in hybrid costs more upfront than the gas version, but you may recover some cost through lower fuel spending and tax credits.
  • If you need a fully electric SUV, Ford offers the Mustang Mach-E, which is smaller than the Explorer.

How the Explorer Plug-In Hybrid works

The Explorer Plug-In Hybrid has a battery pack, an electric motor, and a gas engine all working together. When you start your day with a full charge, the vehicle runs on battery power alone. Once the battery depletes — usually after 30 to 40 miles of driving — the gas engine turns on automatically and takes over, or assists the electric motor depending on driving conditions.

This setup means your daily commute might use only electricity if it is under 40 miles round-trip. Longer trips or highway driving will use gas. You do not have to plug it in; the gas engine will charge the battery as you drive, but charging at home is more efficient and cheaper than relying on the engine to do it.

The battery itself sits under the floor of the vehicle, so it does not cut into passenger or cargo space the way some hybrid designs do. You still get three rows of seating and a full-size cargo area.

Charging at home and on the road

Charging the Explorer Plug-In Hybrid at home requires a Level 2 charger, which is a 240-volt outlet similar to what powers an electric dryer or water heater. A full charge takes 8 to 10 hours overnight. You can also use a standard 120-volt household outlet, but that takes 24 to 30 hours and is rarely practical.

Installing a Level 2 charger at home costs between $500 and $2,500 depending on your electrical panel and how far the charger needs to be from it. Many electricians can handle the installation in a few hours. Some employers and public parking lots also have Level 2 chargers you can use during the day.

On the road, you can use public charging networks like Electrify America, EVgo, or ChargePoint. A 30-minute fast charge at a DC fast charger will give you roughly 50 to 80 miles of range, though these chargers are less common than Level 2 chargers and usually cost more per kilowatt-hour.

Fuel costs and tax credits

If you drive mostly short trips within the battery range, your fuel costs drop significantly because you are running on electricity instead of gas. Electricity costs roughly one-third to one-half what gas costs per mile. On a 30-mile daily commute, you might spend $2 to $4 per day on electricity instead of $6 to $10 on gas.

The federal government offers a tax credit for plug-in hybrid vehicles, though the amount varies by model year and your income. As of 2024, the credit can reach up to $7,500 for certain plug-in hybrids, but not all Explorer PHEVs may have access to for the full amount. Check the IRS website or your tax professional to see what applies to the year and trim you are considering.

Some states also offer additional tax credits or rebates, and a few offer HOV lane access or reduced registration fees for plug-in hybrids. These incentives change year to year, so check your state's environmental or transportation department website.

Explorer Plug-In Hybrid vs. regular Explorer Hybrid

The regular Explorer Hybrid has no plug and no battery you charge from an outlet. It uses a smaller battery that charges itself through regenerative braking — capturing energy when you slow down. It gets better gas mileage than the gas-only Explorer (roughly 28 to 32 mpg combined versus 21 to 26 mpg), but you cannot drive it on electricity alone.

The plug-in hybrid costs more upfront — typically $5,000 to $8,000 more than the gas version — but offers the option to run on electricity for daily driving. The regular hybrid costs less but offers no electric-only range. Choose the plug-in hybrid if you have a predictable daily commute under 40 miles and can charge at home. Choose the regular hybrid if you drive longer distances regularly or do not have charging access.

If you want a fully electric Ford SUV

Ford's only fully electric SUV currently in production is the Mustang Mach-E. It is smaller than the Explorer — it seats five instead of seven — but it offers all-electric driving with no gas engine. Range varies by model, from roughly 210 miles to over 300 miles on a single charge depending on the battery size and drivetrain.

The Mustang Mach-E qualifies for the full federal tax credit (up to $7,500) in more cases than the plug-in hybrid does, and it has lower fuel costs since it uses only electricity. The trade-off is that it requires more planning for longer trips because you need to find charging stations along the way, and charging takes longer than filling a gas tank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive the Explorer Plug-In Hybrid without charging it?

Yes. If you never plug it in, it works like a regular hybrid — the gas engine runs and the small battery charges itself through braking. You will not get the electric-only range, but the vehicle will still operate. However, you lose the main advantage of owning a plug-in hybrid if you do not charge it regularly.

How long does the battery last?

Ford warrants the plug-in hybrid battery for 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. Real-world battery degradation is usually gradual — you might lose 5 to 10 percent of capacity over 10 years — but the vehicle remains usable. Replacement batteries are expensive ($5,000 to $15,000), but most owners do not need replacement within the vehicle's life.

What happens if I run out of battery on the road?

The gas engine turns on automatically. You will not be stranded. The vehicle switches seamlessly to gas power and continues driving normally. You lose the fuel savings for that trip, but the vehicle keeps running until you can charge or refuel.

Is the plug-in hybrid worth the extra cost?

It depends on your driving. If your daily commute is under 40 miles and you can charge at home, the fuel savings and tax credits often recover the upfront cost within 5 to 7 years. If you drive longer distances regularly or have no charging access, the regular hybrid or gas Explorer makes more sense financially.

Does cold weather affect the battery range?

Yes. Cold temperatures reduce battery efficiency by roughly 20 to 40 percent, so your electric range might drop from 35 miles to 20 miles in winter. The gas engine compensates, but you will use more gas on cold-weather trips. This is normal for all plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.