Here Are 5 Key Takeaways From Ford’s New EV Strategy

Ford has announced its future strategies under the Ford+ plan, including a clear focus on electric vehicles and customer experience based on connected technology services.

Plan For The Decade

Within the next decade, Ford aims for fully electric vehicles to make up 40 percent of its global sales volume consisting of both commercial and passenger vehicles. This seems achievable, considering the recently unveiled F-150 Lightning electric pickup has received 70,000 pre-orders  in the first week of its reveal. For now, the focus seems to be on North American and European markets.

Reduced Battery Costs

Ford aims to reduce battery costs up to 40 percent by 2025. This can be achieved by improved battery technology and self-made EV batteries as well as recognising the need for different battery types for different vehicles across the Ford lineup. The Detroit-based carmaker also plans on setting up a joint venture in its home country to produce cells and arrays.

New Scalable Architecture

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Also in the works are scalable EV architectures that will be capable of sharing battery components and multiple powertrains. Ford has already revealed a modular platform capable of underpinning pickups, off-road vehicles, utility vehicles, and family SUV models till 2030. In Europe, Ford uses VW’s MEB platform for its compact and mid-size EVs.

Improved Connected Car Tech

Ford also plans on improving connected car tech and over-the-air (OTA) updates required by the technology. The aim is to offer as many of these updates to improve the car as much as possible. Ford aims to have more OTA-enabled vehicles on the road than Tesla by mid-2022 and at least 33 million by 2028.

How Does This Affect India? 

Ford doesn’t sell any electric model in India. Though we expect the Ford Mustang Mach-E to be offered as an import, it won’t happen anytime soon. That said, we get the FordPass connected car tech here. Models like the Endeavour, EcoSport, and Figo could feature an improved version of FordPass when they receive their respective updates.