As automakers introduce a new generation of pure EVs, electrification is simultaneously creeping into legacy vehicles through the back door of start-stop systems, which often depend on lithium-ion batteries and/or supercapacitors, and are sometimes described (in hushed tones) as mild hybrid technology. Now Ford has announced that it will make start-stop capability standard across its… Read more »
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Ford unveils 2017 hybrid and plug-in hybrid Fusions
Ford’s Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid has been one of the top-selling PHEVs since its February 2013 debut (it sold 9,750 units in 2015, second only to the Volt). Now Ford has released some details of the 2017 Fusion (also available in hybrid and legacy gas versions), which is scheduled to arrive at dealerships this summer…. Read more »
Ford reveals ambitious electrification plans
For the past several months, we EV newshounds have suspected that Ford had plans for a new generation of plug-ins up its sleeve. Now the #2 US automaker is beginning to reveal its answer to electric rivals GM, Nissan, VW et al. Ford announced plans to invest a record $4.5 billion in electric tech over… Read more »
Ford offer three years of free charging to California and Maryland C-MAX Energi buyers
Ford has partnered with charging network operator NRG EVgo in a program called EV 1-2-3 Charge, which offers three years of complimentary charging to California and Maryland customers who purchase or lease a 2016 Ford C-MAX Energi. EV 1-2-3 Charge provides unlimited charging sessions of four hours each at EVgo and partner public stations across… Read more »
Ford expands workplace charging program
Ford plans to to install 20 additional workplace charging stations at its North American facilities in the near future, and will add more as employee demand requires. The automaker began installing charging stations in 2014, and currently has 145 units available for employee use at 43 locations. Some 349 Ford employees are using the chargers…. Read more »
Why is Ford suddenly advertising its Focus Electric after 3 years?
Many EVangelists believe that the plodding progress of plug-in sales has a lot to do with the automakers’ minimal marketing efforts. So it’s welcome news that Ford has launched a new ad campaign for its Focus Electric. It seems to be a substantial buy (although Ford declined to talk about budgets), with TV ads running… Read more »
Multi-modal urban mobility with Ford’s MoDe e-Bikes
Is it strange for an automaker to invest in developing an e-bike? Not necessarily, considering that, in the future, more and more of the world’s people will be living in dense megacities, where a car is not the best way to get around, at least not for a whole journey. An urban trip from home… Read more »
Further With Ford: e-bikes and electric car sharing, but no news on a 200-mile EV
The annual Further With Ford conference is all about what the company is doing to stay relevant in a changing world. In this year’s keynote speech, CEO Mark Fields talked about what the company sees as some of today’s most important trends, and how they inspired several research projects that have now graduated to pilot… Read more »
California helps low-income families afford greener cars
The California Air Resources Board thinks of everything. It not only provides funding for local companies to research EV technology, and requires automakers to produce zero-emission vehicles for sale in the state. Now the agency has launched a pilot program to help low-income people replace old, polluting cars with newer, more efficient vehicles, including EVs…. Read more »
Ford opens up its EV patents, puts 200 more engineers to work on electrification
Tesla isn’t the only company that can play the patent-opening game. Ford has announced that it will make its portfolio of over 650 electrification-related patents available to competing automakers. Unlike Tesla, which has implied that it will allow others to use technology “in good faith” free of charge (and Toyota, which plans to make some… Read more »