Category Archives: Ford

BMW, V2X, And The Death Of The Gasmobile

BMW, Electric Cars, Ford, News, Reviews and Comment

BMW is stepping up from vehicle-to-grid EV charging to kick vehicle-to-everything (V2X) into gear, with an assist from the California utility PG&E

The bad news just keeps on coming for fossil energy stakeholders. In the latest development, BMW is working with the leading California utility, PG&E, to demonstrate how EV batteries can contribute to grid stability instead of placing new burdens on the nation’s electricity infrastructure. The secret sauce is V2X, the Vehicle-to-Everything model for using an EV battery to power all sorts of electric devices.

Nobody Expects V2X

The infrastructure argument against widespread EV adoption has been neatly summed up by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, who called zero emission vehicles a “new way to overburden California’s already collapsing energy grid” in a segment last September.

Whoa if true. However, not true according to professionals who actually know a thing or two about electricity.

The leading utility National Grid, for example, does caution that grid issues could arise from a piecemeal approach to fleet electrification, when too many fleets are clustered in one area. Its main point, though, was to advocate for proactive, collaborative planning and infrastructure investment to foster a smooth transition to EVs.

On a broader scope, EV stakeholders are already engaged with “smart charging” strategies that take advantage of low-demand periods along with the availability of renewable energy.

Read more: CleanTechnica

It’s Time to Go Green!

If you would like to know more about Solar Panels and the PowerBanx range of home battery systems, and get a free instant quote, please complete our online form:

Ford splits gas-powered and electric vehicle businesses but doesn’t spin them off

Buying/Leasing, Electric Cars, Fleet, Ford, Ford, Formula E, News, Reviews and Comment

(CNN Business)Ford is creating two new business units, one for electric vehicles and software and another for its traditional internal combustion vehicles. These companies will report their financial results separately from the rest of Ford but they will not be spun off as entirely separate companies.

This new corporate structure will allow investors to more clearly see the value of the two types of business, Ford (F) chief executive Jim Farley said, but it will not enable investors to buy stock in just the EV business. Farley said he had considered a full spin-off of the electric vehicle business, but it was simply too difficult to entirely carve it out as distinct from the rest of Ford’s operations. Also, he said, there was no need to sell stock in a new company.
“We have enough capital,” he said. “We can fund this ourselves.”
 
Farley, himself, will lead Ford Model e, the division focused on electric vehicles, technology, and software. Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford’s international business unit, will lead Ford Blue, the internal combustion business.
Model E is a play on Ford’s famous Model T, the car that popularized automobiles in America in the early 20th century. Tesla had once wanted to use the Model E name for its own more affordable electric car — the company’s model names would have spelled out S-E-X-Y, had it been successful — but Ford presented a legal challenge, thanks to the long-running production of Ford’s E-series van. Tesla ultimately named its vehicle the Model 3, instead.
Read more: cnn

It’s Time to Go Green!

If you would like to know more about Solar Panels and the PowerBanx range of home battery systems, and get a free instant quote, please complete our online form:

Ford sees ‘strong push’ for electric vehicles

Electric Vans, Ford, News, Reviews and Comment

The head of Ford’s electric van programme has outlined the company’s strategy for promoting electric vehicles to commercial users, and said there is a ‘strong’ desire to reduce vehicle emissions within the business sector.

From autumn 2017 Ford will be trialling 20 hybrid electric Transit vans across London

Mark Harvey, director of Ford’s electrified van programme spoke to airqualitynews.com ahead of his presentation to the LowCVP conference in London this week, at which he revealed details of the company’s trial of 20 plug-in hybrid Transit vans for commercial users in the capital (see airqualitynews.com story).

The 12-month Transit plug-in hybrid trial will involve users including Transport for London, Metropolitan Police, British Gas and Addison Lee and will commence later this year.

Ford has revealed that the trial will use a telematics system to collect data on each vehicles’ financial, operational and environmental performance to understand ‘how the benefits of electrified vehicles could be maximised’.

Mark Harvey, director of Ford’s electrified van programme. Picture: Spencer Griffiths

Mr Harvey explained that the trial forms part of a wider commitment by the car maker to target the electrical vehicle market. He said: “Within Ford we have announced that we are investing $4.5 billion globally in electrified vehicle programmes between now and 2020 and that will deliver 13 new electrified vehicles in that time, of which the Transit Hybrid Custom vehicle that we are talking about is one.

“It’s a massive commitment from us and recent organisational changes in Ford also highlighted the importance of electric vehicles with Sherif Marakby [who has returned to the company from Uber] in a role in that space so it is absolutely exciting times.”

Read more: Air Quality News

Ford wins contract to make 2,500 all-electric vans for Deutsche Post

Electric Vans, Ford, News, Reviews and Comment, Streetscooter, Streetscooter XL

Ford has won an important contract to further electrify Deutsche Post’s fleet of delivery vehicles.

Deutsche Post has already been deploying electric vehicles in its fleet, but this new contract should quickly add 2,500 all-electric vans on the roads.

The company has already been producing its own all-electric delivery vehicle, the Streetscooter (left), but the new vehicle built on the Ford Transit will be significantly bigger, Streetscooter XL (right)

They will use the chassis of the Ford Transit, which will be equipped with a new battery-electric powertrain.

Ford had already announced plans for a plug-in hybrid version of the Ford Transit for 2019, but it looks like this new contract is changing the plan by using an all-electric version built on the same chassis.

Production is set to start next month and expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
Jürgen Gerdes, member of the executive board of the Deutsche Post AG, commented on the news:

“I consider this partnership another important boost for electro-mobility in Germany. This step emphasizes that Deutsche Post is an innovation leader. It will relieve the inner cities and increase the people’s quality of life. We will continue working on completely carbon neutral CO2-neutral logistics!”

Along with the new contract, Deutsche Post plans to double its production of the Streetscooter to 20,000 units per year – making the logistic company a significant EV manfacturer.Read more: electrek

Ford Announces 5 Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid Van Testing Fleets

Electric Vans, Ford, News, Reviews and Comment, Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid

The first five fleets have signed on to participate in Ford’s new plug-in hybrid van trial project in London, which is scheduled to get underway this Fall.

In total, Ford intends to test 20 vehicles over a 12-month period, prior to introducing the PHEV van on the European market (unfortunately, no U.S. version is planned at this stage).

Ford still has yet to reveal the all-electric range, but has stated that it will be enough for the majority of inner-city trips; which means to us that likely we won’t be all that excited about the offering when it finally comes to market.

Mark Harvey, Director of the Urban Electrified Van programme – Ford Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid

But then again, more EVs in the commercial space is never a bad thing.

The multi-million pound project is designed to explore how lower-emission plug-in hybrid electric vans could support cleaner air targets, whilst boosting productivity for operators in urban conditions – the toughest working environment for commercial vehicles.

The project, supported by Transport for London, features a 12-month trial of 20 new Ford Transit PHEVs that reduce local emissions by running solely on electric power for the majority of inner-city trips. Equipped with range extenders, the fleet is not limited by battery range, making them capable of the longer journeys that may be required by businesses and ‘blue light’ services.

The participating fleets represent a cross-section of city-based businesses which will integrate the Ford Transit PHEV vans into their day-to-day operations. Using a Ford telematics system, each Transit PHEV will collect data on the vehicles’ financial, operational and environmental performance to help understand how the benefits of electrified vehicles could be maximised.

Ford Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid – Police

The five fleets include the Metropolitan Police with two Transit PHEV vans: one marked for second response to traffic accidents and one un-marked as a forensic support unit. In addition, Transport for London will use three of the vans for freight duties.

Confirmed fleets:

  • Transport for London
  • Metropolitan police
  • Clancy Plant
  • Addison Lee
  • British Gas

Source: InsideEVs