Ford plugs in for all-EV future
Published: 19 February, 2021
Ford is the latest carmaker to announce its intention to go all-in on EVs, and has said that mid-2026, 100% of its passenger vehicle range in Europe will be zero-emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid, moving to all-electric by 2030.
Ford’s CV range in Europe also will be 100% zero-emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid, by 2024. The company expects two-thirds of commercial vehicle sales expected to be all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030.
The move will be spearheaded by a $1 billion investment in a new EV manufacturing base in Cologne. The company’s first European-built, volume all-electric passenger vehicle for European customers will roll off the lines in Cologne from 2023.
Commenting on the move, Ford of Europe President Stuart Rowley said: “We successfully restructured Ford of Europe and returned to profitability in the fourth quarter of 2020. Now we are charging into an all-electric future in Europe with expressive new vehicles and a world-class connected customer experience.”
Stuart concluded: “We will offer an exceptional range of electrified vehicles, supported by customer-centric digital services and experiences, allowing our customers to come with us on the journey to a fully electric future, starting right now with the launch of the all-electric Mustang Mach-E. In combination with our leading commercial vehicle business, this will form the basis of a sustainably profitable Ford business in Europe.”
Earlier in the week, Jaguar Land Rover declared its aim make the Jaguar marque all-EV by 2025, with Land Rover following by 2030.
- Autotech invests to drive up EV training
A new EV training initiative has been launched by Autotech Training, the training arm of Autotech Recruit. By the end of 2021 every contractor working full-time within Autotech Recruit’s network of temporary vehicle technicians and MOT testers will be trained to a minimum Level 2 Hybrid and Electric Vehicle IMI standard.
- IMI launches new international EV training solution
Launching today (Tuesday 11 September) at Automechanika Frankfurt, the IMI is showcasing its new Electric Vehicle eLearning modules designed to transform the way people undertake training within the workplace.
With full-electric car sales in the EU set to reach 200,000 this year, the IMI has connected with Germany’s training academy, Lucas Nülle, to make continual learning convenient and interactive for individuals of all abilities.
Steve Nash, Chief Executive at the IMI, said: “Making sure that an employer and its employees are ready for the increased number of ultra-low emission vehicles is paramount to future-proofing a business. Being able to service and maintain these vehicles safely should be the key focus, especially when the industry is experiencing the biggest growth in automotive technology that we’ve ever seen.
“Advances in new technology are creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs across the world, and individuals working in the industry should be adopting this new training to make themselves leaders in their area of expertise. It’s an exciting time for the motor industry and the IMI is committed to making sure we’re ready to embrace the changes that are set to transform the sector.”
- technologies of electric and hybrid vehicles
Having recently presented short seminars about electric vehicle technology at Top Tech Live, and at some other trade events, it has become clear that technicians are only slowly beginning to delve into the
world of electric and hybrid vehicle technologies.
- Electric future shock
The need to adapt to changing vehicle technology is one of the main challenges of our time in the sector. Increasing connectivity and a vastly more complicated conventional vehicle provide a whole raft of obstacles on their own, before you even get to the rise of electric vehicles and hybrids.
Add to that a more uncertain legislative environment resulting from rules not quite keeping up with the technology coming in, and you’ve got yourself a whole host of issues that the entire industry needs to stay on top of if it is going to continue to offer a sterling service to customers.
Let’s look at electric vehicles. For Tom Harrison Lord from Fox Agency, the b2b marketing company specialising in the automotive sector, Automechanika Birmingham offered a troubling glimpse into the future: “This summer’s Automechanika Birmingham was entertaining and enjoyable as ever, but it also exemplified a worrying trend in the motor industry today. With the advancement of electric vehicles, there are going to be some rapid and stark changes ahead. The automotive aftermarket, however, seems to be burying its head in the sand.”
Access
The key, as it has been in the past, is access. In this case, the right to be able to repair vehicles. Think that’s all sorted? Perhaps not: “The rise of the electric cars and vehicles is something that could hit the automotive aftermarket hard – in particular, independent garages.
“Many, if not all, electric vehicles invalidate their manufacturer warranty if essential work is carried out on the electrical systems by someone other than the main dealer. What’s more, many cars with batteries, such as the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, have warranties on the electrical components lasting up to ten years.
“Having no choice but to use the main dealer for a full decade shows just why independent workshops will have fewer vehicles coming through the doors in the years ahead.”
- IMI TechSafe Group grows
The IMI’s TechSafe Sector Advisory Group has expanded.
