Ford Announces Plans for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Strategic Insights -

Ford Motor Company has announced plans to offer plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in showrooms in 2012, with a range of 30 miles on battery power before the gasoline engine kicks in. The company has signed a contract with Johnson Controls-Saft to purchase lithium-ion battery cells, enough for 5,000 PHEVs per year, which will be assembled into auto battery packs in North America. This move marks the latest development in the automotive industry's transition towards more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ford plans to offer PHEVs in showrooms in 2012, with a range of 30 miles on battery power before the gasoline engine kicks in.
  • The company has signed a contract with Johnson Controls-Saft to purchase lithium-ion battery cells, enough for 5,000 PHEVs per year.
  • The battery cells will be assembled into auto battery packs in North America.
  • General Motors has announced plans to offer a PHEV version of the Saturn Vue compact SUV in late 2010 or early 2011.
  • Toyota Motor has also committed to selling a PHEV, although a specific timeline has not been announced.
  • The Chevrolet Volt, developed by General Motors, will be priced "under $40,000" and will have a range of 40 miles on a full plug-in charge.
  • PHEVs have the potential to use no gasoline in shorter drives and achieve 50 to 100 miles per gallon in longer drives.
  • Seattle-area tests of Toyota Prius hybrids converted to plug-in operation have shown an average 51 mpg in 17,636 miles of all types of driving.

Statistics:

  • 30 miles: the range of PHEVs on battery power before the gasoline engine kicks in.
  • 5,000: the number of PHEVs that can be produced per year using the contracted battery cells.
  • 2010: the year in which General Motors plans to sell battery-only vehicles in the U.S.
  • 2011: the year in which Ford plans to offer PHEVs in showrooms.
  • 40 miles: the range of the Chevrolet Volt on a full plug-in charge.
  • 51 mpg: the average fuel efficiency of Toyota Prius hybrids converted to plug-in operation in Seattle-area tests.
  • 59 mpg: the average fuel efficiency of Toyota Prius hybrids converted to plug-in operation in Seattle-area tests, primarily for city driving.

Sources:

  • Ford Motor Company
  • Johnson Controls-Saft
  • General Motors
  • Toyota Motor Corporation
  • United States Department of Energy
  • Seattle City Light