Valu Ford and Chrysler

Jul 25, 2021

Ford has big plans when it comes to the electrification of the vehicles in their lineup一 and the accessibility of both commercial and passenger electric vehicles as a whole. This Michigan-based automaker is in the process of electrifying many of its most popular vehicles and has pledged to invest $22 billion in electrification by 2025. They have also set the goal of achieving carbon neutrality around the world by the year 2050. You may be seeing more Ford electric vehicles on the road in the very near future.

Ford’s plans do not just talk. They are taking practical steps toward helping make electric vehicles more accessible for drivers regardless of their budget and lifestyle. Keep reading to learn more about the many strategies Ford is using to help turn its goals of increased vehicle electrification and carbon neutrality into reality. 

Vehicle Electrification 

The most obvious of the strategies Ford is using to decrease their carbon footprint and work toward building a more sustainable world is the introduction of multiple all-electric vehicles to their lineup. Ford is increasingly electrifying both its passenger and commercial vehicles and aims to do so while keeping its vehicles available at prices that are accessible for drivers on a budget. 

Ford has already released the all-electric Mustang Mach-E SUV for the 2021 model year. They will release an all-electric F-150 pickup truck called the Ford F-150 Lightning for the 2022 model year, and they plan to debut an all-electric Ford E-Transit van in late 2021 for the 2022 model year as well. 

The Ford Mustang Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning, and Ford E-Transit vehicles are all-electric versions of three of Ford’s best-selling vehicle models. Ford’s focus on electrifying their most popular commercial and passenger vehicles before the other models in their lineup is likely a strategic move to incentivize more drivers to purchase all-electric vehicles and contribute toward a more eco-friendly world. 

Multiple Charging Solutions 

One of the main concerns among drivers who are hesitant to purchase an all-electric vehicle is how to charge their vehicle. In order to help make electric vehicles more accessible for all drivers, Ford has introduced multiple charging solutions for EV drivers.

Ford offers one of the fastest home charging solutions in the auto industry一which is useful because 80% of electric vehicle charging is done at home. A Ford Connected Charge Station can be installed in your home and can provide approximately 30 miles of range for your vehicle per hour of charging when installed in a 240V outlet.

Ford family of electric vehicles

Ford family of electric vehicles

Ford is also responsible for the largest public charging network in North America. It currently features more than 63,000 charging stations throughout North America and its number of charging stations is constantly increasing. 

All-electric vehicles from Ford are also available with built-in cloud-connected navigation that routes drivers to the nearest charging station in order to make it easier for all-electric vehicle drivers to find a convenient place to charge their vehicle without straying too far from their route. 

Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Plants 

The demand for all-electric vehicles is increasing significantly, and enough electric vehicles need to be produced to meet that rising demand. Ford is a major player in the production of all-electric vehicles. 

They own four electric vehicle manufacturing plants across North America一including one in this American automaker’s home state of Michigan. Ford has invested $700 million into this one Michigan-based vehicle manufacturing plant alone and has created 500 new jobs there to assist with the high-volume production of the current and upcoming all-electric models in their vehicle lineup. 

EV-Certified Dealers 

Ford’s goal is to make all-electric vehicles more accessible for all drivers. They want to ensure that transitioning to owning an all-electric vehicle is as seamless as possible in order to incentivize more drivers to purchase and stick with an EV. 

Ford has more than 2,300 EV-certified dealers across the United States. They also have almost 650 EV-certified commercial vehicle centers. These dealers and commercial vehicle centers are very knowledgeable about electric vehicles and have the know-how to help drivers effortlessly transition to electric vehicle ownership.

EV Tech Investments 

Ford has invested and continues to invest significant amounts of money into the research and development of all-electric vehicles一specifically battery cell technology. They have invested in multiple companies that show promising progress for battery cell technology development. 

In addition to investing in other companies that are working in the field of battery cell technology research and development, Ford has opened its own global battery center in Michigan called Ford Ion Park. The team at Ford Ion Park is working toward developing new manufacturing techniques for batteries and new, more efficient battery cell designs for all-electric vehicles.