Ford has announced it will launch a new generation of seven, all-electric, fully-connected passenger vehicles and vans by 2024, and it expects its sales of electric vehicles in Europe to exceed 600,000 units in 2026.
It is also targeting zero emissions for all vehicle sales in Europe and carbon neutrality across its European footprint of facilities, logistics and suppliers by 2035.
The announcement follows the creation of a new global business unit – Ford Model e – focused on the design, production, and distribution of electric and connected vehicles.
“I am delighted to see the pace of change in Europe – challenging our entire industry to build better, cleaner and more digital vehicles. Ford is all-in and moving fast to meet the demand in Europe and around the globe,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO.
“This is why we have created Ford Model e – allowing us to move at the speed of a start-up to build electric vehicles that delight and offer connected services unique to Ford and that are built with Ford-grade engineering and safety.”
“Our march toward an all-electric future is an absolute necessity for Ford to meet the mobility needs of customers across a transforming Europe,” said Stuart Rowley, chair, Ford of Europe. “It’s also about the pressing need for greater care of our planet, making a positive contribution to society and reducing emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.”
The plan for seven new electric vehicles is in addition to the European introduction of the all-electric Mach-E in 2021 and Mach-E GT this year, plus the launch of the E-Transit in the next quarter. They will comprise three new passenger vehicles and four new commercial vehicles.
Starting in 2023, Ford plans to begin production of an all-new electric passenger vehicle, a medium-sized crossover, built in Cologne with a second electric vehicle added to the Cologne production line-up in 2024. In addition, Ford’s top-selling passenger vehicle in Europe, the Ford Puma, will be available as an electric version made in Craiova, Romania, starting in 2024.
Ford’s Transit range will include four new electric models – the Transit Custom one-tonne van and Tourneo Custom multi-purpose vehicle in 2023, and the smaller, next generation Transit Courier van and Tourneo Courier multi-purpose vehicle in 2024.
“These new Ford electric vehicles signal what is nothing less than the total transformation of our brand in Europe – a new generation of zero-emission vehicles, optimised for a connected world, offering our customers truly outstanding user experiences,” said Rowley.
Ford confirmed that the first volume all-electric passenger vehicle to come out of the Ford Cologne Electrification Centre will be a five-seat, medium-sized crossover capable of a 500km driving range on a single charge. The vehicle and its name will be revealed later in 2022, with production commencing in 2023.
The company said its investment in the new electric passenger vehicles to be built in Cologne is expected to be $2bn, and includes a new battery assembly facility scheduled to start operations in 2024.
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