Ford unveils new ambitions for 2020 EV transition

American motor giant Ford has confirmed that its new Transit, Mustang and F-150 models are among seven newly-announced electric vehicles that will be heading to market over the next five years.


As part of Ford’s plan to plough $4.5bn into electric vehicle solutions and extensions through 2020, the company has confirmed seven of the 13 upcoming EVs – alongside wireless charging technology that Ford claims makes charging EV’s “as easy as pulling into a parking spot”.

Ford president Mark Fields said: “As more and more consumers around the world become interested in electrified vehicles, Ford is committed to being a leader in providing consumers with a broad range of electrified vehicles, services and solutions that make people’s lives better.

“Our investments and expanding lineup reflect our view that global offerings of electrified vehicles will exceed gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years.”

To support the EV expansion, Ford will be investing $700m and adding 700 jobs to it’s Flat Rock, Michigan assembly plant. This facility will act as a hub for EV manufacturing and the production of an autonomous hybrid vehicle designed for commercial hailing and ride sharing services, which is set to debut in 2021.

Additionally, Ford has also announced a fully-electric SUV with an estimated range of 300 miles to be built at the Flat Rock facility and two new police pursuit-ready EVs to be built in Chicago.

Charging Network

The motor company is also piloting wireless charging technology on company EVs across the US and Europe that looks to make short distance, all-electric commuting more viable by introducing parking spaces that will automatically wirelessly recharge commuter EVs. Ford also plans to integrate this service into its FordPass app to allow commuters to reserve wireless charging spaces.

As part of Ford’s collaboration with other automotive giants to create Europe’s highest-powered charging network to facilitate long-travel viability for EVs, an initial target of 400 sites across Europe have been planned.

Ford is also taking energy efficiency to its diesel operations with Ford’s new diesel engine production line expected to cut energy and water use by 50% for each engine built at the company’s Dagenham diesel centre in the UK.

Alex Baldwin

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