Ford looking to learn from GM and Nissan on plug-in hybrids, EVs

Posted: Nov 02, 2010
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Ford Focus Electric

FoMoCo has big plans to compete in the electric-vehicle and plug-in hybrid market. The Dearborn automaker plans on bringing five new electrified vehicles to market including the Transit Connect Electric later this year and the Focus Electric in late 2011. Those will be followed by two third-generation lithium-ion battery hybrids (2012) and a plug-in hybrid (2012).

The company will be taking advantage of entering the segment later than its competitors by learning from their experience. Ford will be looking to build on GM’s experience with the Chevrolet Volt hybrid and Nissan’s its all-electric Leaf.

“Since they’ll be out before us, we’ll know a lot,” Sue Cischke, Ford’s safety and environmental affairs vice president, said on Tuesday. “We’ll learn from what they’re doing, how they’re marketing it,” she said.

The Ford Focus Electric is expected to average a range of 100 miles on a single charge.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Reuters


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  • W.

    Ford needs to be taught by Government Motors about hybrid technology? What a load of crap. They got the technology from TOYOTA, Government Motors enemy. The Volt was said to get 231 mpg and be next messiah of hybrid technology, right? Now that govt motors came clean to their out right LIES the volt gets around 40 mpg,lie, lie, lie. The Toyota Prius is the best hybrid car out there, period.

  • Anonymous

    One thing that’s encouraging-most people unsophisticated enough to use the term “Government Motors” will probably never be able to afford a new car in their lifetime.

  • Electrified_Future

    Excuse me W., but Ford DID NOT get the technology from Toyota. Talk about lies, that’s the one persistent bit of ignorance that keeps getting repeated ad nauseam. Ford has over 100 of their own patents on the Escape Hybrid. What non-automotive people fail to comprehend, is that automotive companies license each other’s technology all the time, specifically to AVOID patent conflict. I should know, I’m on the engineering team and we busted our butts to develop our own tech. Also, why are you comparing a PHEV (Volt) to an HEV (Prius)? They’re two different animals, and yes… PHEVs can get outrageously high mpg on mixed EV and ICE. Fully charged, the Volt can do 40 miles as an EV (zero gasoline consumption), then it switches to the gasoline engine. Can the Prius do that? Before you scoff at 40 miles as a limitation, understand that the average American drives 33 miles per day. PHEVs are expected to be charged every night. The Prius is indeed a marvelous machine, but do your homework before you blindly bash everyone else.