The New Ford Explorer Electric Car Lease

Our latest electric car lease - The new Ford Explorer

The UK is facing some quandaries on how best to serve the EV community, with both new and used options now facing different challenges. For the new market, there is no shortage of robust and functional choices now available or coming through in 2024 and 2025.

Indeed, the latest innovation from Ford is a sign that the bigger car manufacturers are launching some excellent all-electric product. As we will discuss below, these are an incredible SUV and are likely to bring Ford more into the EV leasing market, with the Mach-E currently being the only offering.

But not all manufacturers and car sales entities are seemingly onboard with all that is taking place. The Stellantis Group, who own Alfa Romeo / Citroen / Peugeot / Vauxhall have critiqued some of the UK Government’s policies on EVs; in particular the decision to ban petrol / diesel for 2035 under the ZEV Mandate. But in reaffirming the alleged danger of cheaper Chinese product and unsupportive policies, the Group’s Chief has discussed slowing down or cutting the production of their product at the Luton and Liverpool plants. Indeed the  BBC  article suggests that production may be moved elsewhere if the manufacturer is not satisfied.

And some of the above is linked to the evolving used electric car industry. With manufacturers increasing discounts and subsidies to encourage customers to engage with their lithium-ion product, especially in the case of the consumer and retail sector, there is a concern about the impact on residual values.

While some articles seem to lament the proposition that this is impacting customers who “buy” new EVs, and the negative equity it can place them, the reality is that the real risks ae being borne by the finance companies who are underwriting the new and used EV market.

Many new vehicles will be procured on contract hire and leasing style arrangements, or on finance packages which enable the customer to return the vehicle at the contract end. Perhaps too much focus in the media is on non-existent losses customers are incurring when they should instead be focusing on the impact for the UK’s leading finance companies. In a recent article from The Telegraph there is a suggestion that many customers are swapping out of their EV and are instead returning to petrol and diesel solutions.

But is this really the case? And can used-EVs really become popular?

Much of the article centres around comments from the Chief at Motorpoint, who suggests that a number of factors are influencing their used-EV customers in not returning to this type of vehicle.

Indeed, the article uses a case study of a business customer dropping his Tesla to instead pursue a used combustion option. But in the new car sector, the same is not happening and many of our finance companies are alerting us to significantly higher retention rates with electric in comparison to other forms of fuel.

However, much of this is in the company car and salary sacrifice sector, where the obvious tax benefits make this a more salient solution. In the used sector, there are clear skills and resource issues which are creating the problems. In fact, many of the potential issues - range, charging cost, charging experiences and insurance - have very much been answered.

And contrary to the article, many are in a much better position now (2024) compared to historically. However, the information on how these various elements operate and dictate the experience, needs to be effectively communicated. If the used-car industry is simply using price as their key metric, then how is it they expect the situation to improve? As specialist electric car businesses, like ours prove, this can all be overcome if you use the right process.

In an effort to help UK customers move into the benefits of electric car driving, the e-car lease team will be launching an exciting used-EV leasing programme to help more personal and retail customers progress. Based on an array of used EVs (between 2-5 years old), this will launch as a no-deposit lease scheme including all servicing, maintenance, tyres and breakdown recovery.

Additionally, we will include the Zap Map Premium app for helping customers find and pay for their charging sessions; this includes understanding if the charge point is available (or even working). And with integrations for both motor insurance and charging tariffs, the supposed excessive running costs are more aptly managed.

Explore our Ford Explorer electric car offers

Cars like the Ford Explorer EV shown here are going to be crucial to the new and used EV transition. The new SUV is now available in the UK in both the RWD and AWD Extended Range format. Two key specifications will be available to the UK including:

•  Select - (from  £45,875) 19” alloys, 14” touchscreen, 7-speaker sound system, 12-way powered driver seat, heated front seats, massage seats, wireless charging, LED headlamps, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and cross-traffic alert;

•  Premium - (from £49,975) 20” alloys, panoramic roof, 10-speaker B&O system, memory seats, hands-free tailgate, matrix LED lights and cross traffic alert.

Colour options include Frozen White, Agate Black, Magnetic, Blue My Mind, Rapid Red and Arctic Blue. Additional options include the Heat Pump (to improve efficiency and range), Driver Assistance Pack (to HUD, 360-degree parking camera and active park assist) and the retractable towbar.

And how does the new Explorer EV perform? 

•  RWD Extended Range – this RWD SUV will have a 77 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 6.4 seconds, 112 mph top speeds and 210 kW (or 282hp). Expect a combined winter range of 225 miles with warmer weather allowing for 305 miles – a 270 mile combined. On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 8 hour and 15 min 0 – 100% charging times with the 135 kW DC maximum allowing 28 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 536L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 142 mpg. You can tow with this EV – 750kg (Unbraked) and 1000kg (Braked). It also has no V2L or V2G capabilities. The Heat Pump is optional; and

•  AWD Extended Range – this AWD SUV will have a 79 kWh usable battery which will offer 0 – 62 times of 5.3 seconds, 112 mph top speeds and 250 kW (or 335hp). Expect a combined winter range of 225 miles with warmer weather allowing for 305 miles – a 270 mile combined. On charging, the 11 kW AC max will allow 8 hour and 15 min 0 – 100% charging times with the 185 kW DC maximum allowing 26 minute 10 – 80% times. A cargo volume of 536L is available with this car. It has a vehicle fuel equivalent of 138 mpg. You can tow with this EV – 750kg (Unbraked) and 1200kg (Braked). It also has no V2L or V2G capabilities. The Heat Pump is optional.

Browse our Ford Explorer deals

Need more help and advice on your new electric SUV from Ford? Just get in touch with our team on 01942 910 001 or by emailing us at [email protected]