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Ford Expects 10 to 25 Percent of its Fleet to be Electric by 2020

 
8 1,622 views July 1, 2009

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The future of plug-in electric cars boils down to their adoption by drivers. As we have reported, car buyers are leery about EVs and concerned about charging their vehicles in public areas.  A public charging infrastructure is virtually non-existent in the U.S. at this point.

Automakers are working with utility companies, local governments, and municipalities to develop such an infrastructure in a timely manner.

Lack of infrastructure has not dissuaded automakers from developing EVs and shifting future production to EV models.  After all, everyone has an outlet at home.

Ford is beginning to sway towards an electric car future, not in small part due to the push of the Obama administration or the fact that the company recently got $5 billion in advanced technology loans.

Ford's director of hybrid vehicles Nancy Giola said, "for now the goal is simply to convince motorists to plug in... from 10 to 25 percent of Ford's production by 2020 will be some type of electrified vehicle."  A bold statement for sure, but it goes to show that the major automaker has decided that EVs are here to stay.

Ford of course does not have the capability to electrify this country by itself. For that, they and other automakers like GM are turning to utility companies for support. Utility companies will install millions of smart meters in the coming years, along with the help of companies like Coulomb Technologies who are expected to install millions of chargers in public areas, and provide power to charge EVs throughout the country. This is a group effort and the cooperation of all involved parties is essential to the success of EVs.

As Ford's CEO Alan Mulally said, "we cannot do it alone."

Source: Reuters





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Comments (8)

  1. By  Todd Horst Posted: 7/1/2009 5:52am PDT

    Batteries are progressing at a rate that a charging infrastructure will be nice but really only required in select tourist areas and residential areas (for people living in apartments. I mean, ill be installing my own terminal in my garage. And my total commute is only around 20 miles which is much less than any plug in hybrid or full ev can already do. I think a lot of people that are interest in ev's are in a similar situation.
     
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  2. By  Todd Horst Posted: 7/1/2009 5:52am PDT

    continued...
    And in the coming years when cars can go 800 miles on a single charge, and then be hooked up to a 440 quick charge, why will we need this infrastructure?
     
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  3. By Noel Park Posted: 7/1/2009 8:49am PDT

    I wonder if the travel/hotel/motel industry will take a leadership role in this area? It would seem like a strong selling point. Maybe it could be as simple as paying and extra few dollars and running an extension cord from the room.
     
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  4. By Jason M. Hendler Posted: 7/1/2009 11:45am PDT

    Noel,
    The motels can use the same money/machine interface that they use on the vibrating beds.
     
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  5. By Jabroni Posted: 7/1/2009 1:06pm PDT

    Eric, you really should proofread before posting. It makes it a difficult read otherwise.
     
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  6. By  John Voelcker Posted: 7/1/2009 1:55pm PDT

    It's important to understand that the "electric-drive vehicles" Gioia refers to will be mostly hybrids, with some plug-in hybrids and relatively fewer pure EVs.
    Projections of hybrid production for both 2015 and 2020 by industry analysts outweigh those for EVs and PHEVs by roughly 6-to-1, depending on whose numbers you believe.
    In other words, folks: These will NOT all be electric vehicles! Electric drive, yes. Not EVs.
     
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  7. By Frank Posted: 7/2/2009 4:26pm PDT

    Its great that Ford means they expect to build that many EVs.
     
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  8. By Nick B Posted: 7/5/2009 6:19am PDT

    The car companies don't have to build electric cars. I want one. My driving needs fit even a basic limited range EV. If they don't build one I will build it myself! I'm actively looking for an EV club in Pittsburgh to join and develope a new skillset! Remember an electric motor has what, like 3 moving parts as opposed to internal combustion engines. They weight of the motor is FAR less. Batteries are getting better and better. I think the time is now for me at least.
     
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