As demand for EVs falters and hybrid sales have skyrocketed, Ford has shifted gears, delaying the launch of certain all-electric vehicles while vowing to add a hybrid option to its entire ICE lineup by 2030 – a move that CEO Jim Farley claims won’t cost the automaker much money to accomplish, either. In the meantime, Ford continues to ramp up its existing hybrid production to meet soaring demand, and other automakers are doing precisely the same thing – even Volkswagen, which has long been among the most dedicated when it comes to EVs. As Ford Authority previously reported, The Blue Oval’s cross-town rival, General Motors, recently announced that it also planned on launching a number of plug-in hybrids in North America, and now, we know exactly when that will happen, courtesy of GM Authority.
Rather than pivoting directly to EVs, GM will instead launch a batch of new PHEVs, with the first of those models slated to arrive in North America by 2027. As is the case with its rivals, including Ford, this move is intended to somewhat bridge the gap between pure ICE models and full-blown EVs. “We do see that hybrids will be part of the solution,” said GM CEO Mary Barra said. “How long hybrids will be part of the solution depends on how quickly we get a robust charging infrastructure.”
“Our forward plans include bringing our plug-in hybrid technology to select vehicles in North America,” Barra said during the automaker’s Q4 2023 earnings report, when news of this PHEV pivot was first unveiled. “Let me be clear, GM remains committed to eliminating tailpipe emissions from our light-duty vehicles by 2035, but in the interim, deploying plug-in technology in strategic segments will deliver some of the environmental benefits of EVs as the nation continues to build its charging infrastructure.”
Barra added that this move will help GM “comply with the more stringent fuel economy and tailpipe emission standards that are being proposed,” noting that this PHEV rollout will be completed “in a capital and cost-efficient way because the technology is already in production in other markets.” GM is planning to roll out a PHEV option for the 2025 Chevy Equinox destined for China, along with a mild hybrid variant of the Traverse, along with multiple other electrified models.
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Comments
We will boycott this vehicle just like we have all EVs. We decide what sells, not the Government. EVs have failed.
I have the lightning and the Mach e, good job Ford keep the EV development coming! The only reason people are against electric vehicles is it being used as a political tool. Any time a friend is curious about my EVs I make time to give them a ride and they are always amazed.
I love my 2023 Santa Fe Limited PHEV just over 9,000 miles 10 fill ups averaging 84.7 mpg. I also had owed a plug in hybrid aka PHEV 2014 Fusion it averaged 61.4 mpg
It is surprising how gullible automakers are to the feds EV mandates verses what the market will support. Toyota is the smartest of the bunch. They built the Prius 20 years ago and did not rush to the EV marketplace. Ford and GM should pay closer attention to the market leader Toyota. By the way, I am a loyal Ford customer.