With electrified technology advancements, Ford is taking advantage of the benefits of lithium-ion batteries. This type of battery, found in most laptops, cell phones, iPods, offer tremendous advantages in that they are light weight yet high in energy density and they hold their charge even after hundreds of charge/discharge cycles and ultimately reduce the cost of new electric vehicles.
Targeted vehicles to undergo this transformation from gasoline powered to pure battery electric are:
The Ford Transit Connect commercial van. Set to be delivered in 2010, this small commercial van was designed to fit the needs of businesses with defined transportation routes who then return to a central charging location at day’s end. Examples of businesses that could benefit from this innovation are: florists, caterers, courier services, just to name a few.
In 2011 Ford is scheduled to launch a battery electric Ford Focus; a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) produced with both retail and commercial customers in mind.
With any new innovation, however, comes the need for extensive research, testing and collaboration with a spectrum of industry partners. Particular to this “Plug-In” project, working closing with utility partners in determining electric grid needs to accommodate customer usage is key. Recognizing this need, Ford has developed an intelligent vehicle-to-grid communication and control system designed to enable its “plug-in” hybrid vehicles to “talk” directly with the nations electric grids.
When asked, Mark Thursby, Ford Lincoln Mercury Sales Manager, at Preston Ford located in Hurlock, MD stated that he was not surprised at Fords consistent commitment to deliver affordable fuel efficient technology to its millions of customers.
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