Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid EV charger: which one suits you best?
The Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid charges at home on 3.7 kW through a Type 2 connection. That figure is low on purpose. With a usable battery of 11.6 kWh, this plug-in hybrid does not need more. A heavier 11 kW or 22 kW charger will not charge it a minute faster. The car sets the maximum, not the charger. Our Ford EV chargers overview lists every Ford model we have charging advice for.
For the Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid we recommend a charger from our 11 kW EV chargers.
Charging specifications of the Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Usable battery capacity | 11.6 kWh |
| Max. AC charging power (home) | 3.7 kW (single-phase) |
| Electric range (WLTP) | about 42 km |
| Charging time with a 3.7 kW charger | about 3 hours |
| Charging connector | Type 2 (Mennekes) |
| DC fast charging | not available |
Which EV charger suits the Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid?
This Explorer charges on a single phase, so it uses one live wire of your supply instead of three. It never goes above 3.7 kW. A basic charger is therefore exactly what you need. Charging power no longer decides your choice. What the charger can do does. Two features are worth the step up.
Start with a built-in MID meter. That is a certified kWh meter. You see what charging costs you, separately from the rest of your household use. On a 7.4 kW charger it is not available, which is one good reason to take the step up. Every EV charger with a MID meter in our range runs at 11 kW or above.
App control is the second feature worth having. You start, stop and follow a charge from your phone. The EV chargers with an app also let you run the charge during the cheapest hours. On a battery this size that shifts almost the whole charge into the cheap window.
An 11 kW EV charger is the safe choice. It also makes you ready for a fully electric car later on. A 7.4 kW EV charger charges this Explorer just as fast. At that power there is no MID meter. Our EV home chargers are the simplest starting point if you want nothing more than a reliable charge overnight.
How long does the Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid take to charge?
An empty 11.6 kWh battery takes about three hours on a 3.7 kW charger. Charge from a standard socket at 2.3 kW and it takes roughly five hours. For a plug-in hybrid of this size that gap is small. You plug in during the evening and drive off full in the morning. The Explorer Plug-in Hybrid uses a Type 2 connection. At a public charging point you plug in your own Type 2 charging cable. At home it depends on the charger: some come with a fixed cable, others have a socket for your own.
Other Ford plug-in hybrids and models
Wallbox Discounter also has charging advice for the other Ford models you can charge at home:
Frequently asked questions
Does the Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid need a three-phase connection?
No. This Explorer charges on one phase at 3.7 kW at most. A three-phase supply gives it no extra charging speed. It still makes sense if you expect a fully electric car later on. Have the connection made by a qualified electrician, and check which rules apply where you live.
Why does a MID meter matter for this charger?
A MID-certified kWh meter is a legally verified meter, so its reading holds up when someone else pays. Without one you only have your total household bill to go on. A charger without a MID meter cannot be upgraded later, so it is a choice you make once.
Does the Ford Explorer Plug-in Hybrid charge faster with a 22 kW charger?
No. The car accepts 3.7 kW at most. An 11 kW or 22 kW charger therefore fills it just as fast as a small one. The difference is not in the speed. It is in the features, and in what you can do with the charger later.