‘E&E News’ tells the story of the Ford RangerEV

BY RON FREUND: Director, ELECTRIC AUTO ASSOCIATION

A mere 20 years ago, big auto in the US and Japan showed the world what electric drive technology they could offer us. The Honda EV+, Toyota RAV4EV, and the inductively-charged Nissan Hypermini were produced in Japan. The three US electric vehicles (EVs) were the iconic GM EV1, Chrysler TEVan, and the nearly forgotten Ford RangerEV.

Ford used lead-acid batteries with the expected driving range of nearly 65 miles on warm, windless summer days. Optional were Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries, the same as those used in Toyota’s RAV4EV and Honda’s EV+. A NiMH RangerEV could travel nearly 100 miles in favorable conditions. 

Today, we have waiting lists of enthusiastic potential Ford F-150 owners eager to try out a new lithium-based version of the company’s latest EV truck. At first glimpse, it appears to be a well executed vehicle.

But let’s not forget the historic foundations. This interesting retrospective view of early EVangelists reminds us that things do and can change. In fact, the progress we are witnessing is nothing short of breathtaking.