On the heels of yesterday’s partnership between Ford and utility Southern California Edison, Ford CEO Alan Mulally told the press that the blue oval will be producing plug-in hybrids for consumer sale in 5-10 years.
Mulally told Automotive News that a firm timeline is contingent on lithium-ion battery technology, but that “within five to 10 years we will start to see this technology in our hands.”
Ford was on hand in Rosemead, Calif., to announce that it will provide So Cal Ed 20 plug-in Ford Escape Hybrids by 2009. The first plug-in Escape will arrive by the end of 2008. So Cal Ed has said that it will make the Escapes available to 20 consumers, who will also be provided with electric “smart meters” in their houses, designed to monitor the power the Fords use.
Ford hasn’t released detailed technical specifications on the new plug-in hybrids, but has said that the vehicles should use little-to-no fuel on short or low speed trips. Previously, Ford has said that the currently developed vehicles can travel a little over 100 miles on a single charge, but there is no indication what the Escapes Ford will provide will do.
07/10, 9:24 AM
posted by:
renzogtr
2 days late and a dollar short
07/10, 9:29 AM
posted by:
jdasch1
The average american driver drives 29 miles per day. Why in the hell does every car maker believe that we need 100 mile or more of plug in range?? The 2008 Escape Hybrid with a battery pack that weighs 400lbs more would get this SUV 30 miles of plug in “no Gas” range in its current engineering and design form. I know of 2 Escapes with lead acid gel cell packs modified to do this. They drive and perform great. Ford get with it and build them now!
07/10, 9:38 AM
posted by:
murphy1
5 to 10 years means 10 years +
07/10, 9:58 AM
posted by:
Jazz
Yay – Less pain at the pump, more pain for your home electricity.
07/10, 10:56 AM
posted by:
Elvio
When Ford get ready, Toyota will be light year ahead on the hybird.
07/10, 11:55 AM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
hey ford gm claims the volt will be ready by 2010.
07/10, 1:37 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
Not nearly soon enough. This should have been like last decade.
07/10, 4:24 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
CTS Driver and Blakkar:
GM shoud’ve never killed the EV-1. If they hadn’t, the new model probably would’ve been the Volt.
Too much dough spent on half-assed advertising and propping up incompetent executives, not enough spent on R&D.
07/10, 4:38 PM
posted by:
motorheader
Why the hell do they need so much time to get this ready????
Ford – here you have the chance to step up an take the lead in an area. Do it now!!!
07/10, 10:39 PM
posted by:
Brendino
always so negative on ford.
just an observation.