Ford fast-tracks EV strategy

Ford Motors has revealed seven out of 13 new electric vehicles (EV), including hybrid versions of the F-150 pickup and Mustang, along with a fully electric SUV and a plug-in hybrid Transit Custom van.

The carmaker hope its EV plans will make its most popular vehicles “more capable, productive and fun to drive,” and that EV’s will exceed gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 15 years.

Included in the seven new vehicles revealed were two new electrified police cars and a high-volume autonomous ride hailing vehicle, which will launch in North America in 2021.

The electric SUV with at least 480 kms will launch in 2020 in North America, Europe and Asia. The hybrid version of the popular F-150 pickup will be available in 2020 in North America and the Middle East.

The Mustang’s hybrid model will launch in 2020 in North America, and the Transit Custom plug-in hybrid will be available in 2019 in Europe.

Ford also announced it is cancelling its US$1.6 billion (AUD$2.21 billion) plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The carmaker said it is adding 700 new jobs in Michigan and investing US$700 million over the next four years by creating the new Manufacturing Innovation Center at its Flat Rock Assembly Plant.

The investment will target the production of high-tech electrified and autonomous vehicles, as well as the Mustang and Lincoln Continental.

The move comes after president-elect Donald Trump strongly criticized American companies, including Ford, for manufacturing its products out of the country.

The company’s new plans are part of a US$4.5 billion investment in EV’s by 2020.

The carmaker will begin testing its EV’s, including the Transit Custom plug-in hybrid, in Europe this year. Ford is also testing a fleet of 20 Transit Connect hybrid taxi and van prototypes in New York and other major US cities.