TL;DR: The Ford Fiesta is officially returning to the UK as an all-electric hatchback, with a projected launch in 2028. This comeback is thanks to a new partnership with Renault, utilising its AmpR Small platform to offer an expected range of up to 252 miles and keep the new Ford Fiesta electric affordable for British drivers.
Just 2 years after the final petrol model rolled off the production line, Ford has confirmed the iconic Fiesta is set for a dramatic return. In a major strategic shift, the beloved supermini Fiesta will be reborn in 2028 as a fully electric hatchback, aimed squarely at the affordable end of the UK's growing EV market.
After a tearful goodbye to the petrol-powered model in 2023, the Ford Fiesta EV return has been made possible by a landmark Ford-Renault electric car partnership. The deal allows Ford to use Renault's recently developed AmpR Small platform, avoiding the eye-watering costs of creating a new small EV architecture from scratch.
Industry analysts note this is a particularly smart move. It allows Ford to focus its resources on what makes a Fiesta feel like a Fiesta: the driving dynamics. Ford's engineers are reportedly obsessed with preserving the car's nimble, 'fun-to-drive' character that made it a legend on UK roads.
To achieve this, the new model will receive bespoke steering, braking, and suspension setups. The goal is to ensure this new electric supermini contender feels just as engaging on a twisty B-road as its predecessors, distinguishing it from its French cousin.
So, what does this mean for performance and range? The latest data suggests buyers will have two battery choices. A budget-friendly 40kWh pack will be offered for city driving, while a larger 52kWh version is planned for those needing to cover longer distances.
That larger battery is the one targeting the headline 252-mile range on a single charge, putting it in direct competition with other affordable electric cars in the UK. It’s a practical figure that should eliminate range anxiety for the vast majority of daily journeys.
But wait, what about the hot-hatch fans? There's exciting news on that front. The platform-sharing deal opens the door for a potential Ford Fiesta ST electric. Since Renault's performance brand, Alpine, has already developed a 217bhp version of this platform for its A290 hot hatch, it’s almost a given that Ford will want a piece of that action.
This move is part of a wider reorganisation of Ford's European strategy. While its larger new electric vehicles, like the Explorer and upcoming Capri, use Volkswagen's MEB platform, this new partnership secures its future in the crucial Ford small EV hatchback segment. It will also see the Fiesta built alongside the Renault 5 in Northern France, potentially streamlining delivery to UK customers.
This new strategy also puts the Fiesta on a different path from its slightly larger stablemate, the Ford Puma Gen-E. While the Puma offers more space, the Fiesta aims to reclaim its crown as the go-to affordable, fun electric supermini. There are even whispers that a new, ultra-affordable Ka could join the lineup later, based on the same versatile platform.