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News - Ford - Ranger - phevWhy Ford’s Ranger PHEV is not for tradiesPHEV, Pro Power Onboard advantages not available to cab-chassis, service body buyers3 Jun 2025 By MATT BROGAN FORD Australia will offer its freshly minted Ranger PHEV in pick-up format only, disallowing buyers the opportunity to fit their own tray or service body, and thereby limiting its appeal to trade, resources, and agricultural sector customers.
Importantly, any move by the customer to remove the factory-fitted tub in exchange for a bespoke solution may void the vehicle’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.
Speaking with GoAuto and others at the launch of the Ford Ranger PHEV in Campbellfield last week, Ford Australia Ranger PHEV chief program engineer Phil Millar said that critical systems both integrated within and protected by the supplied tub cannot be repurposed to accommodate an alternative solution.
“At this point we are not recommending that you do that,” he said, referring to the fitment of an aftermarket tray or service body.
“There are integrated systems, like the mechanical fuel vapour recovery system, that could be affected – which is particularly important if you’re running the vehicle for a long period of time without using the ICE engine.
“That could lead to a build-up of a vapour in the system … there is a built-in system that allows the fuel tank to vent. It is one of a number of critical features underneath the vehicle that are integrated within or protected by the tub.
“As well as the fuel system, there is the integrated Pro Power Onboard components in the back, as well as the high-voltage battery (and the design of its cooling system) itself.”
Reiterating the point made by his engineering colleague, Ford Australia marketing director Ambrose Henderson confirmed that any issue determined to have been caused by the fitment of an aftermarket tray or service body will void the factory warranty, potentially leaving the customer to foot the bill for associated issues.
“If you were to remove (or modify) that system, from a warranty perspective – and because of the way our warranty works – any issue or fault that was found to be incurred because of something the customer did that is not recommended, will result in the warranty claim not being paid out,” he said.
The scenario is one that applies to not only the Ranger, but to other plug-in hybrid utility models as well.
BYD has previously confirmed that is popular Shark 6 PHEV cannot be operated without the factory-fitted tub, GWM Australia and New Zealand likewise telling GoAuto that the points outlined by Ford apply in equal measure to its Cannon Alpha PHEV.
“Replacing the standard tub on the Cannon Alpha PHEV with an aluminium tray (or service body) has not been tested,” a GWM Australia and New Zealand spokesperson told GoAuto.
“Any modifications may affect the vehicle’s functionality and could limit the owner’s warranty.”
Speaking with GoAuto this week, leading Australian commercial and service body provider Fleet Trades said the engineering behind plug-in hybrid utility vehicles needs to be significantly altered if manufacturers like BYD, Ford, and GWM are to succeed in having their product appeal to commercial fleets and trade buyers.
“The reality of the situation is, that if buyers are limited in their options, they will simply shop elsewhere,” said a Fleet Trades spokesperson, suggesting commercial buyers will continue to buy diesel-powered utilities if the alternative limits its functionality.
“We would estimate that close to 80 per cent of commercial ute buyers opt for a steel or aluminium tray, canopy or service body when fitting out their vehicle as it’s a solution that offers greater practicality and flexibility over a standard tub.”
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