No Roads, No Generators? No Problem — Ranger PHEV Helps Power Norway's Farms

I’m a salesperson for Fjøssystemer AS, one of Norway’s biggest agricultural suppliers, but I’m a farmer at heart. We put our work vehicles through their paces — hauling heavy loads on rough farm roads, all year round.

So, when we heard about a plug-in hybrid Ranger, ¹ the big question was obvious: could it really replace our diesel trucks?

After driving one for 13,000 kilometres, I can tell you the answer is a definite yes. It does the job just as well as the diesel version, and in many ways, it’s even better.

The Decision to Transition

Our company has leased over 200 Ford Rangers in the last ten years, so we know these trucks inside out. When it came time to renew our fleet, the new Ranger Plug-in Hybrid had to prove it could handle the daily grind before we committed.

It ended up being a rare vehicle that made everyone happy. Our finance team loved that it was cheaper to buy and operate than the entry-level diesel, while the sustainability team was immediately on board with the reduced emissions footprint. Most importantly for drivers like me, it performed exceptionally well. We’ve already ordered 32 of them, and that’s just the start.

Retaining True Work Truck Capability

One of our biggest worries was whether we would lose the rugged capability we rely on every single day, but those concerns disappeared the moment we got to work.

You don't lose any of the capability we rely on. It still has four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, one tonne payload capacity, and a towing capacity of up to 3,500 kg. ²

I've hauled heavy trailers and lots of equipment, and I have no doubt this plug-in hybrid handles tough agricultural work. It was even named "International Pickup of the Year 2026/2027”.

Real-World Savings

When it comes to efficiency, the difference between the hybrid and our old fleet is night and day. My old diesel Ranger averaged about 1 litre of fuel per 10 kilometres. With the plug-in hybrid, I’m consistently averaging closer to 0.8 litres per 10 kilometres.

Because I drive about 50,000 kilometres a year, that small margin adds up to a personal saving of around 1,000 litres of fuel annually. That’s about €2000 saved per truck every year. ³ When you multiply that across our entire fleet, the savings become massive.

The electric range of up to 43 kilometres means I can often take short trips between farms on battery power alone, cutting our fuel dependency even further. ¹

Surprisingly Cosy

Beyond the savings, the sheer refinement of the hybrid powertrain is something you really appreciate at the end of a long, demanding day. The truck is very quiet, especially when navigating around a tight farmyard on electric power. It also features active noise cancellation in the cabin, which significantly cuts down on highway engine drone.

When your vehicle essentially serves as your mobile office, less noise and a smoother ride make a huge difference in reducing driver fatigue.

A Mobile Power Source

Pro Power Onboard, ⁴ a feature that can outperform a mobile generator, has been revolutionary for our daily operations. Having two 15A outlets right in the cargo bed is fantastic when you are working far from wall sockets.

I can easily run high-intensity work lights, heavy drills, and pressure washers straight from the truck bed with significantly less carbon emissions than a generator. It has transitioned the Ranger from being just a transport vehicle into an active work tool.

As our general manager, Jo Eivind Bergundhaugen, put it: "The Ranger Plug-in Hybrid gives us the driving comfort of a passenger car with the power, off-road capability, and towing we absolutely need from a pickup. Add in the lower price and the fuel savings, and it simply became the obvious choice for our future."

Having put one to the test through some tough jobs and thousands of kilometres, I wholeheartedly agree.

Jorulf Dæhlin is a salesperson for Fjøssystemer AS

¹ Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid homologated CO₂ emissions 143-145 g/km WLTP Euro, homologated fuel efficiency 6.2-6.4 l/100 km WLTP Euro and pure electric driving range up to 43 km WLTP. The declared WLTP fuel/energy consumptions, CO₂ emissions and electric range are determined according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EU) 2017/1151 as last amended. The applied standard test procedures enable comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers. A range of up to 43 km can be achieved with a fully charged battery - depending on the existing series and battery configuration. The actual range may vary due to various factors (e.g. weather conditions, driving style, route profile, vehicle condition, age and condition of the lithium-ion battery).

² Max payload varies and is based on accessories and vehicle configuration. See label on doorjamb for carrying capacity of a specific vehicle. Always properly secure cargo.

³ Savings calculated based on Norwegian fuel prices in August 2026 [GlobalPetrolPrices.com].

⁴ See Owner’s Manual for important operating instructions