QUICK ANSWER – IS THERE AN ELECTRIC FORD BRONCO, AND CAN YOU BUY ONE IN THE UK?
Yes – but it’s complicated. Ford launched the Bronco New Energy in China in December 2025, available as a full EV (404 miles range) or an extended-range hybrid (758 miles). It’s built in China with BYD batteries and Ford’s CEO has confirmed there are no plans to bring it to the US. For the UK, a separate European-built Bronco with a hybrid powertrain is due in 2028, priced from around £42,000.
Here’s a sentence I didn’t expect to type in 2026: Ford has built an electric Bronco, it’s powered by BYD batteries, it’s made in China, and you can’t buy it in America.
Take a moment with that. One of the most iconic American vehicles ever made – the car that O.J. Simpson made famous for entirely the wrong reasons, the SUV that returned from a 24-year hiatus in 2021 to massive fanfare – has been quietly electrified and launched exclusively in China. And when Ford’s CEO was asked whether it’s coming to the States, his answer was essentially: no plans.
It’s not banned, exactly. It’s just… not going there. Which, when you dig into why, turns out to be one of the more interesting stories in the car industry right now.
We’ve done the digging. Here’s what’s actually going on – and, crucially, what it means for those of us on this side of the Atlantic.
So What’s the Full Story?
Ford launched the Bronco New Energy in China in December 2025. It’s produced at a plant in Nanchang by Jiangling Ford – a joint venture between Ford and Jiangling Motors. It comes in two versions: a full battery electric with 404 miles of range, and an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) with a 1.5-litre petrol range extender that pushes the combined range to a genuinely staggering 758 miles.
It shares a name and a general silhouette with the American Bronco. Beyond that, it’s an entirely different vehicle. Different platform, different dimensions – it’s actually longer than the US model – and different batteries. Those batteries? Supplied by BYD. Yes, that BYD.
“Ford selling a Bronco with BYD batteries in China while simultaneously competing with BYD for EV market share is the kind of automotive plot twist that would get rejected from a Netflix drama for being too unrealistic.”
– Ric Boullemier, Travel Journalist
The China-market Bronco starts at the equivalent of around £25,000. That’s not a typo. A Bronco-branded EV with 400 miles of range for £25,000. In China.
So Why Can’t Americans Buy It?
This is where it gets interesting. It’s not a ban in the traditional sense – there’s no law stopping Ford from selling it in the US. It’s a business decision, and there are a few reasons behind it.
First, the trade situation. The US currently imposes 100% tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles. A £25,000 car with a 100% tariff becomes a £50,000 car before Ford has added a single penny of margin or dealer costs. The economics don’t work.
Second, and perhaps more importantly, it’s a China-specific product. It was designed for the Chinese market, developed in partnership with a Chinese manufacturer, and tuned for Chinese consumer preferences. Ford CEO Jim Farley was pretty direct about it – there are “currently no plans” to bring the Bronco New Energy to the US. He added that American Bronco buyers should “expect a lot of exciting powertrains” in the future, which is the automotive equivalent of “we’ll talk about it later.”
Third – and this one’s a bit delicate – Ford’s sales in China have collapsed. They’ve gone from 1.2 million cars a year in 2016 to fewer than 300,000 by 2025. In a market where plug-in vehicles now account for more than half of all new car sales, Ford needed an electric hit. The Bronco New Energy is partly that answer.
THE TARIFF PROBLEM IN ONE LINE
The US charges 100% import tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles. A car that costs £25,000 to buy in China would need to be priced at over £50,000 in the US before anyone made a profit. That’s why it’s not going to America – at least not from a Chinese factory.
The Stats – Because You’re Curious
There are two versions of the Bronco New Energy. Here’s how they break down:
THE NUMBERS – FORD BRONCO NEW ENERGY
FULL EV VERSION
- 105.4 kWh battery capacity – BYD FinDreams Blade LFP
- 404 miles maximum range (CLTC – Chinese test cycle; expect slightly less in UK conditions)
- 415hp from two electric motors – one front, one rear, full AWD
- ~£25,000 starting price in China
EREV VERSION (RANGE EXTENDER)
- 43.7 kWh battery – BYD FinDreams Blade LFP
- 137 miles pure electric range
- 758 miles combined range with the 1.5L petrol range extender running
- 422hp combined output from two electric motors
BOTH VERSIONS
- 5,025mm length – 200mm longer than the standard American Bronco
- 1,960mm width
- 15.6-inch central touchscreen, plus an optional 70-inch heads-up display
- Dec 2025 production started, Nanchang, China
That 758-mile EREV range deserves a moment of appreciation. That’s London to Rome. In a Bronco. Without stopping for fuel or a charge. The range extender doesn’t drive the wheels – it just charges the battery, so you’re still driving an EV the entire time. It’s a genuinely clever solution for people with range anxiety.
What About the UK? When Can We Get One?
Here’s where it gets genuinely interesting for us. There are actually two different Bronco stories playing out simultaneously, and one of them is specifically about the UK.
The Chinese Bronco New Energy isn’t currently confirmed for the UK. It’s heading to Australia as a 2027 model – which suggests right-hand-drive markets are on the radar – but there’s been no official UK announcement yet. Watch this space.
The bigger news for UK buyers is a completely separate Bronco – one that’s been designed and developed in Europe, specifically for European and UK tastes. This isn’t the Chinese model with a different badge. It’s a ground-up European Bronco.
THE UK BRONCO – WHAT WE KNOW
A European-built Ford Bronco is confirmed for 2028, designed specifically for UK and European markets. It’ll be larger than the existing Kuga, built at Ford’s plant in Spain, and will use a hybrid powertrain rather than full electric. Ford Europe’s Christian Weingartner described it as having “very unique DNA around off-road capability” while being designed for European roads. Pricing is expected to start from around £42,000.
It won’t be a body-on-frame beast like the American Bronco – it’ll use a unibody chassis and have a longer nose for better aerodynamics and pedestrian safety standards. Think capable off-roader with European sensibilities rather than hardcore trail warrior. Which, honestly, is probably what most UK buyers actually want.
The hybrid powertrain is a smart move for the UK market right now. It means lower running costs, compliance with tightening emissions rules, and the ability to do short daily runs on electric while keeping the range for longer trips. It’s the same formula that’s worked well for the Kuga PHEV, just in a much more exciting package.
“A rugged, boxy, properly capable off-road SUV with a hybrid powertrain and Ford Bronco badging, from £42,000, built in Europe. If they get that right it’ll be one of the most interesting cars of 2028. And yes, I’m already thinking about where I’d take it.” – Ric Boullemier, Travel Journalist
What Will the Petrol Purists Say?
Look – we’ve been here before, haven’t we. The Mustang Mach-E got it. The electric Capri got it. Any time a beloved nameplate goes electric, there’s a contingent of people who treat it as a personal affront.
And I get it, to a point. The Bronco name carries a lot of weight. It’s tied to a very specific idea of what a car should be – loud, capable, unapologetically American. Sticking it on a Chinese-built EV with BYD batteries feels like a lot to process.
But here’s the thing: both the Mustang Mach-E and the electric Capri have turned out to be genuinely good cars. They’ve ticked big boxes on range, technology, and driving experience. The badge controversy fades pretty quickly once you’re actually driving one. And if the UK Bronco follows the same playbook – proper capability, smart hybrid setup, distinctive design – it’ll win people over the same way.
So are you going full electric or plug-in hybrid? That’s the question for 2028. And for the first time, the answer might involve a Bronco.
Want to See More?
We’ve reviewed the Mustang Mach-E and the electric Capri on The Sustainable Dad YouTube channel – if you want to see what happens when Ford takes a beloved nameplate electric and whether it actually works in the real world, those videos are the place to start.
READ NEXT / WATCH
Watch: Ford Mustang Mach-E Review – Is It Actually Any Good?
Watch: Ford Capri Electric – We Drove It So You Don’t Have To
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People Also Ask
Q: Is there an electric Ford Bronco?
A: Yes. The Ford Bronco New Energy launched in China in December 2025, available as a full EV with 404 miles of range or an extended-range EV (EREV) with a 1.5-litre petrol range extender and a combined range of 758 miles. It’s made by Jiangling Ford – a joint venture with Jiangling Motors – and uses BYD FinDreams Blade LFP batteries.
Q: Why isn’t the electric Ford Bronco sold in America?
A: The Ford Bronco New Energy was designed specifically for the Chinese market and is made in China. The US currently charges 100% tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles, making the economics unworkable. Ford CEO Jim Farley confirmed in early 2026 that there are “currently no plans” to bring the China-market Bronco to the US. A future American Bronco with electric or hybrid powertrains is expected, but it would be a separate, US-developed model.
Q: When is the Ford Bronco coming to the UK?
A: A European-built Ford Bronco is confirmed for 2028, designed specifically for UK and European markets. It’ll use a hybrid powertrain and is expected to be priced from around £42,000. It’s built at Ford’s plant in Spain and is a completely separate model from the Chinese Bronco New Energy. The Chinese EV version isn’t yet confirmed for the UK, though it’s heading to Australia as a 2027 model.
Q: What are the Ford Bronco New Energy specs?
A: The Bronco New Energy EV uses a 105.4kWh BYD Blade battery with two electric motors producing 415hp and a maximum range of 404 miles (CLTC). The EREV version uses a 43.7kWh battery with a 1.5-litre petrol range extender, offering 137 miles of pure EV range or 758 miles combined. Both are 5,025mm long – 200mm longer than the American Bronco – and offer full AWD.
Q: Does the Ford Bronco EV use BYD batteries?
A: Yes. Both variants of the Ford Bronco New Energy use BYD FinDreams Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs. The full EV gets a 105.4kWh pack, the EREV gets a 43.7kWh pack paired with a 1.5-litre range extender. Ford and BYD are competitors in the Chinese EV market, which makes this a genuinely unusual supply arrangement.
Q: How much does the electric Ford Bronco cost?
A: In China, the Bronco New Energy starts from the equivalent of around £25,000 for the EREV and slightly more for the full EV. The UK-specific European Bronco coming in 2028 is expected to start from around £42,000 with a hybrid powertrain.
Q: Is the electric Ford Bronco the same as the American Bronco?
A: No. The Bronco New Energy shares only a name and general styling cues with the American Bronco. It’s built in China, uses a unibody construction (the US model is body-on-frame), and is 200mm longer. It was developed specifically for the Chinese market and has no mechanical connection to the US version.
Q: Is the Ford Bronco better than the Mustang Mach-E or electric Capri?
A: They serve different purposes. The Mustang Mach-E and electric Capri are road-focused family EVs. The Bronco New Energy is a larger, adventure-oriented SUV with significantly more range and an EREV option. The European Bronco coming to the UK in 2028 will be most directly comparable – a capable off-road hybrid in a class that currently has few strong competitors.
