Electric Ford Ranger teased by CEO

An electric version of the Australian-designed Ford Ranger pick-up appears to have been green-lit for production.

Drive has previously reported the new Ranger's platform is compatible with hybrid and electric powertrains.

However, the US manufacturer has remained tight lipped on its specific model plans until now.

Overnight Ford CEO Jim Farley said: “We’re already pushing dirt down in Blue Oval City in Tennessee for another electric pickup truck that’s different than [the F-150 Lightning].”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the marque told online outlet Jalopnik: “[The vehicle] will be a next-gen electric truck, different from F-150 Lightning.”

Reference to “next-gen” seemingly rules out the US-built Ford Maverick – which has been on sale overseas for up to nine months – and suggests the recently-revealed new Ranger is the obvious candidate for electrification, given it's not due on sale in the US until 2023.

Earlier this year Ian Foston – global chief engineer for the Ford Ranger and its Volkswagen Amarok twin – revealed the platform is already compatible with hybrid and electric powertrains.

“We can’t confirm where we are heading, but we are looking at all the technology we are deploying at Ford (to be applied to the new Ranger)," Mr Foston said.

“We’ve got a bandwidth of electrification hardware that enables us to go anywhere from a 24-volt mild hybrid all the way through to a full electric version."

This week Drive reported the Ford and Volkswagen duo will likely be electrified before the end of this decade.

“We’re looking at a pure electric version,” Volkswagen executive Lars Krause told media. “It is still early, but it is something we are considering.”

Drive has contacted a spokesperson for Ford in Australia for further information, and this story will be updated with its response.