Ford has ramped up its investment into EVs significantly in recent months, even going so far as to commit to transitioning its European passenger vehicle lineup to 100 percent electric power in the coming years. However, we aren’t quite yet at the point where electric vehicles are feasible for everyone, and that’s a fact that Ford CEO Jim Farley is well aware of, as he revealed at the automaker’s recent reorganization press conference.
“The one thing that people need to understand is that a lot of our ICE products, those segments are not served well with electrical vehicles,” Farley said. “If you have a Super Duty and you’re pulling a horse trailer in Montana, an electrical vehicle isn’t an ideal solution. And so, a lot of the vehicles we’ve shrunk wrapped the company around, the ICE vehicles, are those kinds of vehicles.”
This revelation came amid the announcement that Ford is splitting its business into two distinct entities – Ford Blue for ICE-powered vehicles, and Model e for EVs. However, it isn’t a huge surprise given FoMoCo’s prior revelations, including the fact that its electrification efforts are currently focused on its “icons” and commercial vehicles, as well as models with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 8,500 pounds, at least for the time being. And, as Ford Authority reported back in November of 2020, the automaker also isn’t planning on building a Ford Super Duty EV at this time, either.
Regardless, Ford does plan on eventually transitioning to an all-electric lineup in North America, but that will likely only happen once battery technology has advanced to the point where such a move is feasible. In the meantime, Jim Farley and the rest of the FoMoCo executive team are focused on the current reorganization plan, which is centered around creating specialized dealerships, cutting costs by improving quality and various other measures, and boosting EV production to two million units annually by 2026.
We’ll have more on Ford’s electrification plans soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.
Comments
So Montana Man is comparing a phone to a vehicle, really? Apples to oranges. First off, it’s just not the battery, it was battery sucking electronics that got lot better and more efficient. Second, what will you haul with your phone? Nothing. Are you going to carry an secondary battery charging device with you when your EV goes dead like you can do with phones? No. Phones are devices. That’s like saying flashlights are better so should the EV one day. EV’s will always and forever be okay, not great but okay. I will never personally own one because I don’t want to sit around some charging station for 20 to 30 minutes waiting for my batteries to charge so I can keep moving. My time is a lot more valuable than that. 20 to 30 minutes is 25 to 40 miles on any freeway. You mention cleaner. Really? How about all these nuclear power stations they will build to power all these charging stations. Build the batteries for your EV and disposal of the bad batteries. Don’t get me started on repairs. What would it cost to repair the battery cooling system they install? Resale? That’s a joke. Who’s going to buy a EV that needs to have all it’s batteries replaced? EV’s are a waste of time and money.
Recycling and mining has been talked about. You’re just not in the loop and probably wouldn’t want to listen anyway!
Why isn’t there more focus on fuel cell? I know we don’t have much infrastructure, but a vehicle that can produce its own electrons on board is the only vehicle that can replace long haulers or high duty cycle trucks, like the diesel powered trucks in rural America right now. Fuel cell means we don’t have to have a gigantic battery sourced from Chinese or Russian rare earth metals. It also means we don’t have to depend on the grid for the vehicle to stay mobile. Maybe its just too logical for our government to support. Yeah hydrogen is dangerous, but we can do it. we have CNG tanks on OTR trucks and have been small scale developing fuel cell cars for 20 or more years.
Batteries with more energy density and faster charge speed exist and coming very soon. These vehicles today are version 1.5. They are pretty good but not great. With higher voltage chargers and these new batteries the towing, and charge speeds will be a thing of the past.
Its coming in the next 2 years