Ford bets BIG on electric cars – from hybrid Mustang to wireless charging

Ford is diving in to vehicle electrification with plans for everything from a hybrid Mustang and plug-in Transit to wireless charging by 2020.

We are getting very close to the tipping point for car electrification, but not because the technology – particularly the battery technology – has matured to where it’s a no-brainer, but more because Volkswagen got caught in Dieselgate and the world woke up to how dirty diesel engines really are.

Even BEV sceptics like Toyota are now pursuing pure electric vehicles, and now Ford is tipping its hat in the ring with a comprehensive roll-out of electrified vehicles in the next few years.

In total, Ford say they will deliver 13 new electrified vehicles in the next five years, including a plug-in hybrid Transit Custom and hybrid versions of the Mustang and F-150. There will also be a new compact BEV SUV with a range of at least 300 miles.

Ford is investing an additional $700 million in its Flat Rock Plant in Michigan to build then new high-tech vehicles as part of a $4.5 billion investment in electrification.

In terms of real detail on the plans, it’s a bit sketchy. But we do know the small electric SUV – not based on a current Ford model – will have a range of around 300 miles and be sold in North America, Europe and Asia by 2020.

There will also be a plug-in Transit Connect designed to reduce operating costs for delivery drivers in congested cities and towns by 2019, and a new autonomous electric vehicle designed for ride hailing or ride sharing arriving by 2021,

Also in the mix is hybrid versions of the Mustang and F-150, which seem likely to share a similar hybrid setup.

But Ford are saying the Mustang and F-150 will be ‘hybrids’, unlike the Transit Connect which will be a plug-in hybrid. So we must assume it’s going to be a mild hybrid with a smaller ICE engine and an ISG for electrical boost. Which seems a bit of a lost opportunity, if that’s the case.

Also in the mix is wireless recharging for plug-ins and BEVs – which should make owners be much more likely to recharge their plug-ins (most owners don’t actually bother).

Mark Fields, Ford president and CEO. said:

As more and more consumers around the world become interested in electrified vehicles, Ford is committed to being a leader in providing consumers with a broad range of electrified vehicles, services and solutions that make people’s lives better.

Our investments and expanding lineup reflect our view that global offerings of electrified vehicles will exceed gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years.

All of which sounds sensible, but are Ford being rather conservative with their plans?