COLOGNE, Germany, Sept. 8, 2023 – Adventure travel content creator Lexie Alford (@LexieLimitless), the youngest person to visit every country in the world, begins her extraordinary Charge Around The Globe in the new electric Ford Explorer this Friday 8th September. Leaving from Nice, France, she will take in six continents and over 30 countries on an adventure that will see her aim to prove what’s possible in an electric vehicle, whilst simultaneously hoping to become the first person to circumnavigate the globe in an electric vehicle.¹

Her journey encapsulates the ‘can do’ spirit shown by fellow adventurer Aloha Wanderwell, who became the first female to drive around the world a century ago. Aloha used a petrol-powered Ford for her journey and encountered numerous obstacles that required unusual solutions, like having oxen pull the car across mud flats, sand and rivers in India, and having human-powered help in China to pull it for miles as civil warfare made buying fuel impossible.

Like Aloha, Lexie will also be using a Ford in her attempt. The electric Ford Explorer she leaves Le Hotel Royal in Nice in – the same place Aloha started her journey from – is a pre-production prototype model that is as close as possible to the vehicle customers will experience when on sale in Europe next summer. With no special modifications to tackle the challenges that await, it’s a vehicle tailor-made for adventure and will keep her connected, comfortable and ready for anything on the ultimate road-trip.

“This is an epic journey to prove what’s possible in an electric vehicle, as we know range and charging are the two main concerns people have when thinking about making the switch to electric,” said Martin Sander, general manager, Ford Model e Europe. “Lexie will be putting charging infrastructure to the ultimate test; if she can get around the world in an EV, then anyone can use one in Europe, every day.”

To help further prepare for this epic roadtrip Lexie has been getting a behind-the-scenes look into Ford and the electric Ford Explorer. She visited the design and product development teams in Cologne, experienced extremes of temperature at the Environmental Test Center – or ‘weather factory’ – and completed her advanced driver training certification at the Lommel Proving Ground.

Charge Around The Globe challenge
Inspiration from Aloha Wanderwell’s journey will influence the route, yet Lexie will ultimately be taking her own path as she deals with severe weather, unpredictable terrain or lack of charging infrastructure, all while aiming to complete the first circumnavigation of the globe in an electric vehicle. She will be backed by a crew that includes security, medics, and mechanical and software support with dynamic risk assessments happening at the beginning of each day.

“This is an epic adventure, but a tough one. It will be tough on the Explorer and with the amount of time on the road alone it will be tough on me and the support crew,” said Lexie. “Any adventure worth having should challenge you though, and I can’t wait to explore the new places and meet incredible people to find out how they’re trying to make their corners of the world better.”

Lexie’s journey will go live when she leaves on 8^th September, with regular updates for the duration of her trip. You can follow the journey by searching #ChargeAroundTheGlobe or following @lexielimitless, @forduk and @fordnewseurope social channels.

COLOGNE, Germany, March 21, 2023 – Ford today revealed the new electric Explorer – a bold new all-electric vehicle that combines German engineering with striking American style.

Explorer is the first in a wave of innovative new electric vehicles from Ford and forges the way for a complete reinvention of the Ford brand in Europe. The mid-size crossover has seats for five across two rows and is fully equipped to set families on the road to adventure.

Engineered and built in Germany, the electric Explorer offers an outstanding digital experience, helping drivers and passengers stay connected and comfortable on the move. Features include a SYNC Move² supersized movable touchscreen and connected infotainment system with audio tailored to the interior, wireless app integration and advanced driver assistance technology.³

Adventure-ready design and combined storage of 450 litres in five-seat mode help Ford’s newest electric vehicle support exploring the city and beyond. The 17-litre console between driver and front-seat passenger can hold a 15-inch laptop, combining with a private locker behind the touchscreen and hands-free accessible bootspace to redefine adventure.

Futuristic exterior styling is matched by an ultra-modern interior with premium materials and features such as sculpted sporty seats and a sophisticated soundbar more typical of revolutionary concept cars than family vehicles. All this comes together with the ability to fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 25 minutes¹ and access to 21k charge points in the UK on Ford’s Blue Oval Charging Network. By 2024, Explorer customers will have access to more than 500,000 charging points in 25 countries across Europe.

“Explorer is a trailblazer for a new breed of exciting Ford electric vehicles. Steeped in our American roots but built in Cologne for our customers in Europe, it is road trip-ready for the big adventures and fully loaded with everything our customers will need for their daily drives,” said Martin Sander, general manager, Ford Model e, Europe.

Stylish, smart and road-trip ready
At the forefront of Ford’s electric vehicle charge, the new electric Explorer is the company’s first electric vehicle to be built at scale in the new Ford Cologne EV Campus in Germany. Ford in Europe is committed to offering an all-electric portfolio of passenger vehicles by 2030.

An aerodynamic exterior captures the spirit and assertive style of Ford’s iconic American SUV for a new electric era, also defined by a bold “shield” design in lieu of a traditional grille.

Explorer’s SYNC Move infotainment system² not only keeps occupants connected but also features a movable 14.6‑inch touchscreen that can smoothly slide up and down to suit the driver and conceals a private locker storage space for valuables. A compartment for two large smartphones comes with wireless device charger⁴ as standard, and SYNC Move provides wireless compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.⁵

Charging can be quick and easy, whether en route or at home. Explorer can help find the most convenient pit stops on the road. Charging at home can be scheduled to use cheaper electricity and energy tariffs, where available, and to deliver a full battery and pre-warmed cabin for early starts.

Explorer also offers a raft of features to ensure drivers and passengers are as refreshed and ready to go when they have reached their destination as when they set out. Comfort-boosting standard specification includes heated front seats and steering wheel, a massaging driver’s seat and climate control that allows driver and front passenger to choose their own temperature. Even returning to the crossover is made simple with standard keyless entry and hands-free power tailgate that means owners can access the boot when their arms are filled with sports kit using a simple kicking motion beneath the rear bumper.

Advanced driver assistance systems include, for the first time on a Ford in Europe, Assisted Lane Change³ for smoothly and safely changing lanes at the push of an indicator stalk, and Clear Exit Assist³ that provides warnings of approaching cyclists before opening doors in busy city centres.

Real-life adventure
To help demonstrate the Explorer’s capabilities, Ford has teamed up with adventure influencer Lexie Alford – also known as Lexie Limitless and the youngest woman in history to visit every country in the world – for a global expedition in Explorer. Inspired by the Ford-sponsored exploits of record-setting explorer Aloha Wanderwell 100 years ago, the round-the-world trip begins later this year.

Available in two highly specified versions – Select and Premium – the new all-electric Explorer can be ordered from later this year.