Rivian, which caught the EV world’s attention with a prototype SUV and pickup truck, has secured an equity investment of $500 million from Ford. Rivian will remain an independent company, and Joe Hinrichs, Ford’s President of Automotive, will join Rivian’s seven-member board. The two companies will also work together to develop a new Ford EV,… Read more »
Search Results Found For: "Ford Pro"
EU awards $4.5 million grant to UpScale Project to reduce EV development time using AI
UpScale, an EU project aimed at using AI for more efficient EV production, has received a €4 million ($4.5 million) grant from the European Commission to develop computer simulations to aid in the development of EVs. UpScale (Upscaling Product development Simulation Capabilities exploiting Artificial intelligence for Electrified vehicles) consists of 11 companies and European entities… Read more »
Researchers explore proton-hopping mechanism to improve EV batteries
Researchers at Oregon State University have shown that a chemical mechanism known as proton-hopping may provide a new method of energy storage for EVs and other high-power applications. “Coming up with Faradaic electrodes that afford batteries energy density and capacitors power with excellent cycle life has been a big challenge. So far, most of the… Read more »
Spy photo shows plug-in Ford F-150 pickup truck
What are the two most important stories in today’s automotive world? Electrification and pickup trucks. The former represents a developing trend that’s going to disrupt and completely rearrange the industry. The second isn’t a news story, but it is the most popular product the industry has ever produced (at least in the US), a vehicle… Read more »
Ford hints at electric version of F-Series pickup truck
The electrification of transport is accelerating, but industry observers agree that it won’t be a truly mass-market trend until there’s an electric version of America’s favorite vehicle: the pickup truck. Now Ford has hinted at plans to launch an all-electric version of the F-Series pickup truck, which has been called the most successful consumer product… Read more »
GM lays off 15% of workforce, kills Volt, promises more EV investment
Seldom has the future of an industry turned sour so quickly. US automakers have enjoyed several years of record profits, but the wild ride is coming to a screeching halt as global trends point to a future of reduced demand, curtailed product lines and the need to invest large sums in new technologies. As part… Read more »
California utility PG&E proposes new commercial EV charging rates
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) recently submitted a proposal to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to create new commercial plug-in vehicle charging rates. Right now, fleet operators often pay higher rates to charge their EVs than regular business customers do. PG&E is proposing a subscription-based model that will let customers choose the quantity… Read more »
Bill Ford confirms 2020 hybrid F-150, teases electric pickup
Bill Ford, Executive Chairman of the Ford Motor Company, recently gave a speech to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Rouge, the historic auto plant that he called “the heart of Ford,” and the place “where the industrial revolution took hold.” Mr. Ford says the Rouge is “as environmentally progressive as heavy manufacturing can be,”… Read more »
Lightning Systems debuts new electric Ford E-450 Shuttle Bus and Cutaway models
Colorado-based Lightning Systems has announced new battery-electric powertrain options for the Ford E-450 Shuttle Bus and E-450 Cutaway. Orders are being accepted now, and delivery will begin by the end of 2018. The new models have a 14,500-pound GVWR and a range of 110 miles. Peak power is 220 kW (295 hp) and torque is… Read more »
German automakers struggle to find a profitable road to electrification
It has gradually become apparent that Big Auto’s reluctance to embrace EVs is not due to mere Luddism or fear of the future. There are several reasons to believe that electrification will take a major bite out of industry profits, as Daimler execs acknowledged in March. Now Volkswagen has warned that its stated plan to… Read more »