Ford Motor Company Brings Electric Vehicles to the U.S. with Partners To Enable Progress

As Ford Motor Company plans an aggressive Electrification Plans Note that they are As Aggressive As Their Hybrid Drive.  This is great for green living.

We will be seing the following electric drive vehicles hitting the streets:

a) Transit Connect Electric will be available in late 2010.

b) in late 2010, the Focus Electric

c) a next-generation hybrid electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in 2012

d) followed by another next-generation hybrid electric vehicle in 2013

Ford’s collaborative work to advance the commercialization of electric vehicles has expanded beyond North America, to similar partnerships in Europe.

Internationally, Ford is moving forward on the same types of partnerships.

In the United Kingdom, Ford is working with Scottish and Southern Energy and Strathclyde University on the UK Low Carbon Vehicle Fleet program to demonstrate a fleet of prototype electric vehicles and collect data on their performance.

In Germany, Ford is working with RheinEnergie AG, the city of Cologne and the University of Duisburg-Essen on the ColognE-mobile program, using a fleet of 25 electric vehicles to conduct road testing. The program is part of a much larger research effort in several cities in Germany involving multiple automakers, utility companies, universities and technology partners.

“To make electrification really work for our customers – and that means our customers and society attaining the maximum value of this alternative fuel in a sustainable, affordable way –  collaborations between automakers, utilities, integrators and governments will be key,” said Nancy Gioia, Ford director, Global Electrification.

“The collaborative work we’re doing today is essential to supporting the launch of our plug-in vehicles starting later this year,” Gioia added. “Our customers deserve and will demand a convenient and seamless interface between the vehicle and the grid – one that is easy to use, fast to interface with and engaging or fun. We are committed to working with partners like Microsoft, the utilities, governments and other technology leaders as we architect and deliver a new energy future to our shared customer.”