Ford could electrify 10-25 percent of its fleet by 2020
Ford Escape PHEV - Click above for high-res image gallery
With Ford taking on a $5.9 billion loan from the DOE and President Obama in favor of a million plug-in vehicles by 2015, how might the money help Ford put plugs on upcoming vehicles. Ford was quite clear that the DOE money will be used to improve the fuel efficiency of 13 models and get them on roads soon, but the medium-term plans do call for more outlets. Speaking to Reuters recently, Ford's director of hybrid vehicle programs, Nancy Gioia, predicted that "from 10 to 25 percent" of Ford's vehicles will be electrified in some way by 2020. The first step is to convince drivers that plugging in makes sense. For this, Ford is working with utilities around the U.S. to gather data on driver behavior with plug-ins, especially with the Escape plug-in hybrid. As Ford CEO Alan Mulally said last week, "We cannot do it alone."
Gallery: Washington 2009: Ford Escape PHEV
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CS Guy 12:04PM (7/01/2009)
What can I say? I'm thoroughly underwhelmed by Ford's goal of 10% to 25% of its vehicles being electrified "IN SOME WAY" by 2020. Which means that they plan to fail in the effort to get us off our addiction to poisonous fossil fuels.
How about growing a pair, Ford. Make a commitment that 25% of your vehicles will be FULLY ELECTRIC by 2020 and 100% of your vehicles will be electrified "in some way" by 2025. That gives you 15 vehicle model years (the 2010 models are selling now) to ramp up production of the battery systems, electronic controls, etc.
We went to the moon in less than 10 years starting from nothing. All you have to do is copy what others (Tesla, Chevy Volt, Mitsubishi iMiev, Aptera, to name a few) have ALREADY DONE.
Reply
bob barker 2:04PM (7/01/2009)
Does this now show how corrupt Ford is in regard to its policies concerning oil? Assuming Ford resists producing hybrids and electric cars indefinitely due to a conflict of interest in wanting to keep oil revenues strong. It may very well be a good time for American auto makers to reconsider where their priorities lie.
Reply