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.
