Ford Motor Company Unveils Battery Electric Cars

By: Andy Hodges
Staff Writer
Published: Jun 24, 2009

Articles - Ford Motor Enters Battery Electric Car Project

Ford Motor Company has unveiled a fleet of new battery electric cars to be used in a new project by the UK government. The Ford battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will be used in a British study by a number of energy companies. The Mayor of London has welcomed the fleet.

"I am absolutely thrilled that Ford and Scottish and Southern Energy have won funding to deliver innovative electric vehicles onto the capital's streets," The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said in a statement.

The fleet also includes the zero emissions Ford Focus BEV prototype, which has is getting support from Scottish and Southern Energy. A number of evaluations will take place in Hillingdon, Middlesex. Johnson said he wants to make London the electric car capital of Europe.

"I want to make London the electric vehicle capital of Europe and these trials will provide us with valuable information on what is needed to ensure they can become an everyday choice," Johnson said.

In addition to Ford, Scottish and Southern Energy, Strathclyde University will provide the prototype vehicles and a charging infrastructure in and around Hillingdon from early 2010. Ford of Europe is developing the Focus BEVs prototype to test new technologies that are suitable for future European passenger cars.

Ford Motor Battery Electric Vehicle Fleet:

The Ford BEV demonstration fleet is also being created with public funding from the UK Government's Technology Strategy Board (TSB). The board promotes innovative industry-led projects that reduce CO2. It is also used for future electric vehicle development for the country's transportation system.

"Battery electric vehicles represent an important step in Ford's pursuit of delivering more efficient and sustainable mobility solutions. Ford is looking forward to working with its project partners on developing a viable market for electric vehicles both in the UK and Europe," Ford of Britain chairman Joe Greenwell said in a statement.

This is a huge involvement by Ford and Europe. The Focus prototypes include some of the development work already done with the Ford Tourneo Connect BEV Concept (see photo above). The Ford Connect BEV was first revealed at this year's Geneva motor show.