In a surprising turn of events, the 2024 Ford Explorer Hybrid is bidding farewell to the American consumer market, making it an exclusive asset for law enforcement agencies. This strategic shift is a consequence of Ford’s deepening ties with American police cars, notably emphasizing the production of the Ford Police Interceptor Utility, a specialized version of the Ford Explorer tailored for security law operations.
Contrary to the prevailing industry trend of automakers embracing electrification to meet stringent emission and fuel economy regulations, Ford has chosen a distinctive path. The recent decision by the company to discontinue sales of the 2024 Explorer Hybrid and Lincoln Aviator models, both equipped with hybrid engines, to the general public underscores its commitment to prioritize the law enforcement sector.
Ford’s spokesperson, Mike Levin, conveyed this pivotal decision to the American press, elucidating that, in response to the robust demand for hybrid law enforcement vehicles, the 2024 Ford Explorer will only be available to civilians with a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, boasting a fuel economy of up to 24 mpg. Additionally, an alternative version with the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine will be offered.
In essence, this signifies that the Ford Explorer Hybrid will be conspicuously absent from the American consumer market, reserved exclusively for police fleets. The law enforcement iteration of the 2024 Ford Explorer Hybrid is furnished with a standard 3.3-liter V6 engine bolstered by a hybrid system, generating a total power output of 318 horsepower and 437 Nm of torque.
One notable feature of the hybrid system is its capacity to enable officers to operate onboard equipment using the Lithium-ion battery while the combustion engine remains dormant. Ford positions this functionality as a cost-saving measure for police forces, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing engine runtime during stationary periods.
Although Ford does not disclose detailed sales figures based on engine types, the overall deliveries of Ford-branded SUVs witnessed an 11.6 percent decline in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period the previous year. Correspondingly, Lincoln’s sales experienced a substantial 42 percent decrease in the third quarter. While the company refrains from specifying sales volumes to police forces, it is apparent that the dip in regular sales can be attributed to Ford’s strategic emphasis on providing a hybrid version of the Ford Explorer exclusively for law enforcement purposes.
For an exclusive visual insight into the American police car based on the 2024 Ford Explorer in its hybrid iteration, explore our gallery featuring captivating images of this specialized vehicle.
