Ford has uncovered a clever solution for UK businesses to avoid the pickup tax hike in the form of a Ranger Double Cab with the rear seats ripped out.

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Debuted in response to HMRCs’ recent tax changes for double cab pickups, the Ranger Double Cab 2-Seat permanently removes the rear bench, seatbelts and back windows, replacing them with a fixed bulkhead and aluminium panels, along with a new loadspace liner and heavy-duty floor with anchor points.

Ford says this means that eligible customers should be able to claim 100% plant and machinery allowance and apply the flat-rate company van Benefit-in-Kind (BiK). Under current HMRC rules introduced in April 2025, double cab pickups are now classed as cars for capital allowances and BiK, hiking up tax payments for businesses.

The new Ranger 2-Seat also retains the flat-rate road tax for commercial vehicles, providing a significant cost-saving for customers who need a Ranger to go about their daily work, and for whom a rear row of seats is not needed.

The new Ranger Double Cab 2-Seat variant debuts in Wildtrak specification – which Ford says is by far the most popular with customers – in both PHEV and diesel powertrains. The line-up will be expanded later this year.

The Ranger PHEV combines Ford’s EcoBoost 2.3-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, a 102hp motor and a 11.8kWh battery for around 26 miles of range. The Ranger PHEV also gets a versatility boost from its available Pro Power Onboard technology — turning the pickup into a mobile power source that can turn any location into a worksite without the need for a separate generator.

A Ford spokesperson said: “This new model is testament to our dedication to provide a Ranger for everyone and every use case, and our commitment to keep evolving the Ranger lineup to provide solutions that work hard for our hard-working customers.”

The Double Cab 2-Seat joins the existing single cab Ranger. Prices are yet to be announced.