The electric automotive world will have a few more competitors in the coming years.
Ford Motor Co. will invest $4.5 billion on electrified vehicles between now and 2020, the company’s CEO Mark Fields said Thursday afternoon.
Ford plans to launch 13 new vehicles, which will include all-electric cars, plug-in hybrid and traditional hybrid vehicles, Fields said.
“In the immediate future, we see hybrids and plug-ins playing a dramatic role,” Fields said.
Hybrids can often double the mileage of traditional vehicles and many plug-in hybrids allow drivers to log hundreds of miles driving between fill ups.
Ford did not break down what types of vehicles would be developed or launched, but Ford executives did say that the company will begin production of an new Focus Electric by the end of 2016 for American and European markets.
There are also plans to expand electric vehicle production in China.
The new Focus will have a range of at least 100 miles and a fast-charging capability, enabling the car to receive 80 percent of the car’s battery charge in 30 minutes.
The push for more electric vehicles follows the trend of carmakers pushing more electric vehicles because of tougher emission regulations and consumers wanting more eco-friendly vehicles. In recent years, BMW, Chevrolet, Nissan and Volkswagen have all introduced all electric or plug-in hybrids that have garnered consumer praise and regulatory applause. Ford currently offers only one pure-electric vehicle, a variant of the Focus, one plug-in hybrid and a number of hybrid variants of popular models.
Raj Nair, head of Ford’s product development, said that Ford will offer electric vehicles with much higher ranges by 2020 to remain competitive with the likes of the Chevy Bolt, which will arrive in 2017 and have a 200 mile range.
On the heels of the announcement, Ford also said it plans to double the number of projects it has using ethnographic research. The company has found success with using social science-based research measuring data collected from consumers.
“We are using new insights from anthropologists, sociologists, economists, journalists and designers, along with traditional business techniques, to reimagine our product development process, create new experiences and make life better for millions of people,” Nair said in a news release.
Ford has used much of the information it has gathered on future mobility issues such as ride sharing and car sharing and other technology-based programs.
In London, Ford tested a car-sharing program that allowed people to pay for cars for every minute they drove it. It also tested using a large Transit Connect van to shuttle people from place to place. Both programs will be expanded.
