Proof an electric Ford Ranger is coming? 2025 Rivian R1T EV test ute sprung in Melbourne... and you'll never guess where!

Following on from the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version of the Ford Ranger coming later next year, is a full battery electric vehicle (EV) version of Australia’s bestselling vehicle also in the pipeline?

This might be the proof!

A prototype of the Ford Ranger Lightning EV continues to elude us, spotting what is the global benchmark of electric utes in front of Ford’s research and development centre in Melbourne might be the next-best thing.

That’s right. A Rivian R1T has been sprung at Ford Australia’s spiritual headquarters in Campbellfield, complete with ‘Left Hand Drive Engineering Evaluation Vehicle’ sticker emblazoned on the tailgate.

A registration check reveals the R1T evaluation ute has been on Victoria roads since early this year.

Which raises some key questions, beginning with why?

For starters, Ford may be benchmarking the Rivian – Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year in 2021.

Melbourne has been the home room for T6 Ranger development since the late 2000s, it is clear that there is some T6-related competitor evaluating going on here, ahead of the Ranger Lightning rumoured circa-2026 launch.

Whether this is related, or a separate development, to Ford’s “Californian Skunkworks” low-cost EV platform announced in late August, that will sire a “mid-sized electric pick-up launching in 2027 that is expected to cater to customers who want more for their money – more range, more utility, more usability” is unknown.

It is also unclear if there will be any component or technology sharing between the Ranger EV and Rivian. Which brings us to a second scenario.

Volkswagen Group’s multi-billion-dollar investment in the severely cash-strapped California-based carmaker, first announced in June, might lead to tech sharing with a future iteration of a Volkswagen Amarok EV.

Of course, if that ute ends up being based on the current version, then Ford Australia would obviously have to be involved, since the Amarok is based on the Ranger. However, as the evaluation R1T was registered in Melbourne months before the VW/Rivian deal was reportedly brokered, this might be a stretch.

Another reason why the Californian EV ute is here is because Rivian itself is conducting testing and possibly homologation work for the R1T, ahead of the brand’s anticipated launch in Australia. Why wouldn't you release a ute in one of the biggest mid-sized truck markets in the world?

Right now, all of the company's models are left-hand-drive only. However, when asked about right-hand-drive sales, this is what Rivian states on its website: “Yes. After we begin deliveries in the United States and Canada, we'll work on expanding to other countries and regions.”

If this is the case, Ford’s help and expertise in tuning a ute in Australia would be invaluable. After all, Ford was once a substantial shareholder in Rivian, and the two companies even announced plans for a joint-venture model, before being terminated in 2021.

As our exclusive photos show, the R1T evaluation vehicle is conveniently parked beside a Ranger-based Everest SUV for scale, in front of the beautiful mid-century building that remains one of Ford’s key R&D centres in the region.

According to US fan-site RIVIANTRACKR, this very same vehicle was captured last month in Melbourne with what it says is a distinct point of difference compared to North American-market R1T models – amber instead of clear indicators, pointing to it complying with a region-specific Australian Design Rule requirement.

Whether the Rivian launches locally sooner rather than later, or merely helps make the coming Ranger Lightning a better EV, capturing the R1T on Australian roads this week can only be considered to be a positive development.

Watch this space.