Farley Confirms Bronco Hybrid as Ford Pivots to an All-Hybrid Lineup

Ford is building a hybrid Bronco. CEO Jim Farley confirmed the move during an appearance on Spike’s Car Radio, an automotive podcast, noting that the SUV will receive a gas-electric powertrain as part of a wider corporate shift. The announcement addresses a promise the automaker made in 2018, well before the modern Bronco had even returned to production.

The decision is part of a broader product mandate. Farley stated that every model in the company lineup will eventually offer a hybrid option. This marks a sharp recalibration of Ford strategy. The automaker previously directed billions of dollars toward a fully electric future, anchored by vehicles like the Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning. The company is now redirecting its resources toward hybrid technology.

The shift is a direct response to consumer behavior. Demand for battery-electric vehicles has slowed across the industry. Buyers have cited high purchase prices, charging network anxiety, and range degradation while towing as reasons to delay adoption. Hybrids offer a familiar middle ground. Sales for gas-electric models have remained steady, capturing roughly a fifth of the new vehicle market. Ford is adjusting its product timeline to meet buyers where they currently spend their money.

What the hybrid Bronco will look like mechanically remains unknown. Farley promised exciting powertrains but declined to provide output numbers, battery sizes, or a production date. The current Bronco relies on internal combustion, offering turbocharged four-cylinder and V6 engines. Adding a battery and an electric motor to a heavy, aerodynamically blunt off-roader presents an engineering challenge. Engineers must balance the added weight of hybrid components against the payload and trail capabilities buyers expect.

Ford currently approaches hybrid technology in three distinct ways. The company builds efficient hybrids for daily commuting, performance hybrids for added horsepower, and utility hybrids equipped with exportable power. The third option functions as a mobile generator. Ford calls this system Pro Power Onboard on the F-150, allowing owners to plug power tools or campsite appliances directly into the truck. A similar system would provide an immediate practical benefit to Bronco buyers who spend time off the grid.

Farley also used the podcast to confirm that Ford will develop extended-range electric vehicles. These are commonly called EREVs. In a traditional plug-in hybrid, both the gas engine and the electric motor can physically turn the wheels. In an EREV, an electric motor drives the wheels, while a gas engine runs strictly as an onboard generator to keep the battery charged.

This architecture specifically addresses towing. Pulling a heavy trailer drastically reduces the range of a standard battery-electric truck. An EREV provides the smooth, instant torque of an electric motor while relying on the gas generator to maintain range on long highway hauls. Farley noted these systems will be deployed to handle towing duties across larger vehicle segments.

Ford is entering a segment that is already occupied. Jeep introduced the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid several years ago, securing a large share of the electrified off-road market. Toyota recently redesigned the Land Cruiser exclusively as a hybrid. Automotive publication Car and Driver reports that Nissan is preparing to revive the Xterra with a hybrid powertrain by 2028. The competitive window for body-on-frame hybrid SUVs is tightening. Ford is playing catch-up.

While hybrids are the immediate priority, Ford has not abandoned battery power entirely. Farley confirmed that a dedicated team in California is developing a new, affordable electric vehicle architecture. The goal is to produce a smaller electric car priced around $30,000 to compete directly with the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y. A midsize electric pickup truck built on the same platform is expected to arrive in 2027.

The broader strategy relies on execution. Ford has a history of announcing anticipated products and then struggling with delays. The standard Bronco faced extensive production backups related to supplier shortages and quality control holds. Farley confirming a hybrid Bronco provides clarity on company direction, but a podcast statement is not a physical product. Buyers will have to wait for independent testing and official pricing before knowing what the hybrid Bronco actually costs them in weight, capability, and purchase price.