- Ford to install its first employee
electric vehicle charging station network in Dearborn, Mich.;
facilities across the United States and Canada to follow
- Ford will work with GE as its network
provider and supplier of electric vehicle charging stations;
networked stations will help Ford understand charging usage and
plan for future installations
- Ford electrified vehicles have logged
an estimated 65 million electric miles over the last 18 months.
Ford now offers six electrified vehicles, including Focus Electric,
C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids, and C-MAX and
Fusion hybrid vehicles
Ford Motor Company in conjunction with GE, will supply vehicle
charging stations at Ford facilities nationwide, beginning with
facilities in and around its headquarters.
The announcement continues the innovative cooperation begun more
than 100 years ago between Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, co-founder
of GE.
This month, Ford will begin installing GE WattStation™ charging
stations across its North American campuses, developing a workplace
charging network at nearly every Ford facility in the United States
and Canada.
“Ford’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond our
fuel-efficient vehicles to include our daily workplace,” said Mike
Tinskey, Ford director of vehicle electrification and
infrastructure. “We know that a growing electrified vehicle
infrastructure is key to making plug-in vehicles a viable option
for more consumers. Ford is committed to doing its part to help
develop that infrastructure.”
With the new charging network, Ford employees commuting to their
jobs from up to 21 miles away in plug-in hybrid vehicles – Fusion
Energi and C-MAX Energi – may be able to drive entirely on electric
power to and from work. Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi have an
EPA-estimated MPG ratings 44 city, 41 highway and 43 combined and
have an EPA-estimated range of 21 miles electric. Drivers of the
electric-only Focus Electric, which has an EPA-estimated range of
76 miles on a full charge, will have even more gas-free commuting
potential*.
Ford plans to install electric vehicle charging stations at more
than 60 of its offices, product development campuses and
manufacturing facilities. Installation will begin at Ford’s
southeast Michigan facilities and roll out across other facilities
throughout 2014.
Throughout North America, the number of charging stations – both
public and residential – is growing rapidly. In 2009, there were
3,000 known public charge stations. Today, there are more than
20,000.
The Ford charging service will be free to employees for the
first four hours of charging each day. By offering free charging,
Ford is trying to encourage charging station sharing, enabling
twice as many employees to charge at work for free.
Ford is also asking employees to use the MyFord® Mobile
smartphone app to collect driving and charging information to help
the company understand driving patterns and potentially influence
future product design. Ford estimates it will cost about 50 cents
to fully charge each vehicle**.
Ford’s WattStation charging station installation differs from
other workplace charging installations in that the units will be
networked together. As a result, the company will be able to gather
comprehensive information on electrified vehicle use, such as the
number of hours vehicles are charging and the amount of carbon
dioxide reduced. It can then use actual station data to plan for
additional station installations.
GE was the first major company to add C-MAX Energi vehicles to
its fleet. Ford and GE are working with researchers from Georgia
Institute of Technology to study GE fleet driving and charging
habits, with the goal of improving all-electric driving and
charging performance. Ford’s MyFord Mobile app provides drivers
with real-time battery charge status and a value charging option
that automatically schedules charging at lower-cost, off-peak
electricity rates (based on your local utility’s
participation).
65 million electric miles
Ford offers six electrified vehicles, including Focus Electric,
C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi plug-in hybrids, and C-MAX and
Fusion hybrid vehicles.
Ford Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi drivers typically make three
of their four daily trips in all-electric mode, based on data from
Ford’s MyFord Mobile app. It is estimated Ford customers now have
logged 65 million all-electric miles, increasing at a rate of
290,000 electric miles per day, by driving the full range of
plug-in vehicles, saving more than 4 million kilograms of CO2.
By adding another charge opportunity during the day at the
workplace, it might be possible for employees to be able to
accomplish all of their workweek trips without using gasoline.
Early work between Henry Ford and Thomas Edison
Henry Ford’s history of working with Thomas Edison dates back to
the late 1800s, when Ford worked for the Edison Illuminating
Company in Detroit. In 1892, Edison co-founded General Electric. In
1896, Ford attended a lecture given by Edison, which inspired him
to discuss his ideas with the renowned scientist, thus beginning a
strong friendship that endured for the rest of their lives.
Henry Ford had a strong interest in electric vehicles. He bought
two for his wife, Clara, in 1908 and 1914, and installed a charging
station in their garage. Several years after Ford Motor Company was
founded in 1903, Ford and Edison began experimenting with their own
electric vehicles using Edison batteries. The vehicles never went
to market, but it marked the beginning of a relationship between
the two men’s companies that stands strong today. Last fall, GE
purchased 2,000 Ford C-MAX Energi vehicles, supporting its goal of
converting half of its fleet to alternative energy vehicles.
Today’s charging station announcement further proves the companies’
commitment to the growth of the electrified vehicle market.
Join a Google Hangout with Ford and GE
Triple Pundit will host a Google Hangout with Mike Tinskey from
Ford, Debora Frodl, global executive director of Ecomagination at
GE, and Hauker Asgeirsson, manager of power systems technologies at
Detroit Edison, to discuss what’s happening in global energy
innovation, as well as the challenges and changes envisioned for
the future – whether they be in transportation, in the home or on
the grid. The event will be presented live on March 20, 2014 at
noon EDT. To join, please visit
http://www.triplepundit.com/2014/03/live-chat-ford-motor-co/. You
can also submit questions for the panelists via the comment section
at the same site.
* Electric driving ranges vary with conditions such as external
elements, driving behaviors, vehicle maintenance and lithium-ion
battery age.
** MyFord Mobile is complimentary for five years from the
vehicle sale date as recorded by the dealer. Subscriptions fees
apply after five years. MyFord Mobile requires a compatible 2G
independent cellular network. Evolving technology and cellular
networks may affect future availability and functionality.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 181,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide,
the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The
company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit
Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products
worldwide, please visit corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and
high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
Ford Motor CompanyTodd Nissen,
313.322.4898tnissen@ford.comorAmanda Zusman,
313.322.3132azusman@ford.com
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