General Motors may have sparked the green car revolution in Detroit with the Chevrolet Volt, but Ford has no plans to let its cross-town rival hog the entire electric vehicle segment. Earlier today at the Detroit Auto Show Ford outlined its electric vehicle plans, which includes a production EV model by 2010.
Ford has been noticeably quiet about its electric and plug-in vehicle plans, but the Blue Oval had a big coming out party during the 2009 NAIAS. The Dearborn-based automaker announced a far-reaching electric and hybrid-vehicle plan that will see the company’s first pure EV on the roads in 2010.
Ford’s first foray into the EV segment will be a commercial van intended for fleet use. Although details on the electric van remain scarce, it would seem logical that the electric van will be based on the upcoming Ford Transit.
Ford’s next big step into the electric vehicle market will come in 2011. The company plans to have a Focus-sized electric vehicle to market by 2011, with initial sales targeted for urban areas. The 2011 EV will use lithium-ion batteries and have a range of about 100. Early production will be limited, with only 5,000 to 10,000 examples planned for the car’s first year on the market. However, production is expected to be ramped up in subsequent years.
A Fusion-sized EV is also in the works, but no timeframe has been set for that car as of yet.
Following the 2011 EV, Ford will launch a range of second-generation hybrids, including plug-in hybrid models. Ford’s second-generation hybrids will use lithium-ion batteries and should post fuel economy figures that make the new Fusion hybrid look like a gas hog.
01/11, 3:33 PM
posted by:
MurcieMe
A range of 100 . . . ???
miles, kilometers, hours, dollars?
01/11, 3:50 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Mulally has his boys and girls on a roll. I have no doubt their timing estimates will be a little less erratic than the General’s.
01/11, 4:15 PM
posted by:
Gundy
HA, yeah, 100 what? Gas won’t always be as “cheap” as it is now, the future is right where they’re all headed, in hybrid and electric vehicles. Diesel is great too, but it has to be clean, clean, clean, which it can’t really be, unfortunately.
01/11, 4:38 PM
posted by:
Bubs Solo
wow…I mean so what? The resale values will still suck right 1115?
01/11, 5:55 PM
posted by:
tyler_is_aero_tt
Ooh an EV Fusion. Can’t wait until these things come out.
01/11, 6:21 PM
posted by:
Lawnchair88
Is it the future yet?
01/12, 3:11 AM
posted by:
JakeK66
I did a report about 5 years ago on the subject of Diesel vs. Hybrids/Electric vehicles and came to the conclusion that Diesel’s would lose out to Hybrids long term. In Ford’s eyes, I guess I was right. I’d much rather drive an electric car with little to no engine noise(or hum) than the rattle of a diesel that reminds me of smelly school busses and tractor trailers. Even modern diesels can’t match the smoothnes of their direct injection gasoline counterparts.
Europeans can keep their diesel’s, gas over on this side of the pond is cheap and plentiful for now, thank you, and when it isn’t, we’ll have Ford to thank for our electric cars.
01/12, 1:05 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
Ya but what will the price be? And one the price is set, what will the cost on maintenance be?
I have seen the Repair Order in a Toyota Prius, the Body Shop next door, had one in, it was cheaper just to buy another one, the battery pack was ripped open, they Fire Dept. had to cover it in a special diaper, and you needed a face mask or els the fumes of the batter acid can develop cancer, they have it outside, way at the far end corner, they are waiting for a scrap yard to pick it up…
01/12, 3:36 PM
posted by:
Bubs Solo
yeah but yarddog hybrids are soooo environmentally friendly.
01/12, 10:49 PM
posted by:
maxcar
100 hamsters.