Ford finally moves forward towards electric vehicles
Ford lags behind its competitors in the electric car competition, but industry sources say the time has come for a major change.
If Model T started the internal-combustion revolution, then Model E could very well signal its passing. After Ford denied Tesla the use of the Model E moniker (ruining a gorgeous acronym, made by Tesla's Models S, E, X and, later, Y), industry sources say the company has plans to develop the future model into a full-blown range.
The E name could, therefore, be used for a line of models ranging from hybrids and plug-in hybrids to electric vehicles under several body types, replacing the current 'eco' versions of Ford's internal combustion cars.
What we know for sure is that the current Ford Focus platform will be used to develop the first models in this new range, including an EV with a 200-mile (320 km) range that will compete with the Chevrolet Bolt in a segment where the upcoming Volkswagen EV and Tesla's Model 3 are looking to make a name for themselves. If rumors are true, this model could replace the current C-Max, even if we would rather hope that il would look like the 500hp Renovo supercar on a Shelby chassis below.
Production is planned to start in the spring of 2019 in Mexico, according to Autonews. It would be a very late entry to the electric market for Ford, another sign that the Blue Oval is not in the lead anymore in the car industry world.
Ford put aside $4.5 billion for developing 13 hybrid and electric vehicles to its lineup by 2020. About 40% of Ford’s models will be offered in an electrified version by that time. It remains to be seen if this late effort will be enough to win a more and more heated competition.