Ford has revolutionized the way people look at automobiles. From starting its operation in 1903 and making a mark as a car manufacturing company, Ford has come a long way. There is no doubt that if you want to invest in a car then, Ford is the company to look for.
But their entrance into electric cars was a bumpy one. After their experimentation with electric vehicles for over a hundred years, they finally came out with a stable electric car that was within everyone’s budget.
So let’s see some of the Ford Electric Vehicles and learn more about them. Raed on to know more!
What Are Ford Electric Vehicles?
Electric Vehicles are up and coming in today’s time when gasoline has become pretty expensive. When Ford started working on the model of the electric car, it faced quite a lot of issues. For instance, it could not go completely electric because there was not enough research on battery vehicles.
After a long hibernation, their research on batteries expanded and they came up with a minicar named Ford Comuta. The issues that the company faced earlier about less speed were also rectified as now the cars could go for 35 miles per hour.
Slowly and gradually, with the enhancement in their research and technology, they developed a few all-electric cars. In 2010, they came up with plug-in hybrid cars that again did not receive many accolades from the public.
The plug-in hybrid cars offer electric power from 15 to 50 miles. But after its battery starts depleting, it becomes like a regular car that runs on gasoline. The amalgamation of battery and gasoline made it a plug-in hybrid car.
As the name suggests, to charge the battery, you’ll have to plug it in a charger. If you fail to do so, then it will use gasoline as a backup option. This technology is mostly electric if you can charge it. Moreover, it is best for short-distance travel because it needs to charge after a few miles.
Nevertheless, you can use its gasoline feature as well to get the most out of the vehicle. But they didn’t appreciate this car because it could not go for longer distances. This is when their entry into all-electric vehicles started taking place.
They knew that they had to develop a plan for a car that could go on for a long time. Otherwise, their target audience will again remain limited. With Nissan, Tesla, and Volkswagen coming up with eclectic vehicles, Ford knew that they had to step up their game.
Pros of Ford Electric Vehicles
Now that we know a lot about Electric Vehicles, it is time to see if they are good for the customers or not.
- Lower Maintenance Cost
One of the most important advantages of electric vehicles is their maintenance cost. Since there is no engine to manage or oil to change, EVs become cost-efficient. Moreover, they have comparatively simpler parts as compared to the normal vehicles, that’s why there is less operating cost.
Additionally, the wear and tear are also less because it does not need constant maintenance. As the car ages, engine maintenance starts increasing which becomes heavy for the pocket. But without an engine in an EV what do you have to pay more for?
- Less Cost
Let’s face it, the main reason why people are going for electric vehicles has more to do with it costing less overall than environmental reasons. Upon initial buying, an electric vehicle will always cost you more but after that, the charges dry up.
You don’t have to constantly get your tanks full of gasoline to go long-distance. You only require a charging point. Additionally, you can always charge the vehicle at your home to make things easier. Ford has over 63,000 charging ports available all over North America.
Moreover, the overall costing of an EV is almost half of an internal combustion engine vehicle. An electric vehicle costs around $300 – $400 per year as compared to $1500- $2500 per year for a gasoline vehicle.
Additionally, the cost also depends upon the price of electricity and gasoline in your area. Most of the time, the electricity costs way less. If you charge the vehicle at your home overnight then at least 30% of costs drop.
- Less Pollution
If we require anything in this world that needs to be environmentally friendly, then it’s the vehicles. Electric vehicles do not produce any emissions that can cause smog or excessive pollution. So you don’t have to worry about enhancing asthma or any other respiratory problem due to this vehicle.
On the other hand, a gasoline vehicle will always produce more pollution that is why it is mandatory to have pollution control certificates in the car. In a world that is already filled with excess pollution from factories, if we can avoid the same through cars, then it will be healthy for the environment.
- Environmentally Conscious
To move away from dependence on gasoline, electric vehicles are the only solution. While gasoline emits huge amounts of greenhouse gases, EVs do not emit carbon dioxide.
In terms of quantity, a gasoline car can emit around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide in a year. On the other hand, an electric vehicle emits zero carbon dioxide. This automatically makes it a healthier source for the environment.
Cons of Ford Electric Vehicles
- Expensive
We already mentioned that electric vehicles are not expensive but it is in terms of the overall cost. As far as the initial cost is concerned, an electric vehicle is way more expensive than a gasoline car.
It costs more than $30,000 and this is just the price of the cheapest model. Electric vehicles are usually considered luxury vehicles that’s why their cost is so high.
If you nevertheless want to buy this car hoping for a future reduction in cost then that is possible. You will have to invest a lot in the vehicle and then just get the returns.
- Charging Cost and Time
The cost of charging at public ports is also high. The public ports will hardly take a few minutes maximum to charge the vehicle. At home, although the electricity cost is less yet it takes almost 10 hours to charge.
The overnight charging becomes hectic. Although we are discussing all-electric vehicles, the cost of the plug-in hybrid is a whole other story. They cost double since you have to fuel it up and charge the car to sustain it on battery.
The charging cost will always depend on the area you live in. Hence, at times, there is a huge shift in the overall prices of the vehicles.
- Charger Access
This is probably the most difficult and annoying part for electric vehicle owners. If you are not yet an owner, then be aware of this point. Even with thousands of electric charging ports all over the US, it is not easy to access them.
Moreover, there are areas where the difference between two charging points is great. That creates an issue for the EV owners because their EV needs charging and the port is far away.
People are generally unaware of this issue while going on a long journey. So this is something that both the company and government should rectify as early as possible.
Best Ford Electric Vehicle Models
Ford has already made its most famous cars electric and is now on a mission to electrify all other cars as well. They are investing $22 billion for this project which they hope to complete by 2025.
They have also made state-of-the-art technologically advanced campuses in Tennessee and Kentucky. Here, they will produce the new F series trucks and the batteries that they have produced through their battery cell technology.
For now, let’s have a look at some of their electric vehicles that will give you a glimpse into the future:
- Ford Mustang Mach E
Every once in a while we have been fascinated with the idea of a rooftop car and getting that perfect cinematic experience of watching the sunset through it. Well, your dreams have found a reality through the Mustang Mach E.
This SUV offers you a completely hands-free experience with a built-in camera technology that examines if you are looking at the road or not. The Blue Zone technology is one of the best things for a person who is transitioning from a gasoline car to an electric car.
The sheer joy of sitting in the driver’s seat and not driving is amazing. The BlueCruise technology detects the Blue Zone areas where you can let the car drive itself. But in case of any incident, you can anytime take the control back and drive on your own.
Additionally, this SUV offers you 315 miles of range, so you can always go the extra mile without having to worry. You can map the entire journey according to the charging port route and you’ll be good to go.
Ideally, you won’t require to charge the car for a couple of days but the Bluecruise technology will alert you if the situation alters due to external factors like severe weather change.
Since it does not have an engine, the most exciting part about this vehicle is the front storage space. In the place of the engine, you can now store equipment, refreshments, shopping bags, and even ice-cold beverages.
It has also recorded an adrenaline rush experience for you as you enjoy going from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Additionally, you can choose 3 modes for driving- Whisper, Engage, and Unbridled.
Whisper mode is silent and calm with gradual acceleration. The mood is dim and there is no sound in the car. Engage mode has a balance of comfort and excitement and the ambiance is pleasurable.
Unbridled mode is the rush mode that you need with a fast pace and speed. You can feel the throttle and have a sporty experience in this mode.
It is available in 9 colors and ranges between $43,000 to $63,000. The higher model costs a bit more as well. As an SUV, it comes with 5 seats and a front and back trunk to carry your suitcases.
- Ford E-Transit Van
There is only one thing that can ever help you in transit and it is a van. You can run a packers and movers business through a van or help in the transit of equipment. We have also seen food businesses being run via a van.
So, what better way to invest in a van than Ford’s E-Transit van. A commercial van covers around 74 miles on average in a day. But Ford has strategically targeted 126 miles of range. For a van, this is pretty impressive as you can go on long journeys as well with this.
As we mentioned above, the cost of maintenance of an electric vehicle is less than a gasoline one. This makes the van better than any other because it becomes more reliable, stable, and consistent. This E-Transit van is estimated to cost less than 40% as compared to the gasoline one.
It also comes equipped with the Pro Power OnBoard technology that provides 2.4 W of power. Moreover, it can double as a generator and help to charge batteries and electric bikes. If you need to use a saw and require a plug, then this van will help you.
It’s an amazing feature especially when you are working with a saw, jackhammer, or drill because it can power them all up easily.
Since the battery is placed underneath the vehicle, you have the entire van as a working space. This is the reason why many people are running their food business in these vans. It already comes equipped with a battery and plug-in point that makes the van efficient.
Additionally, Ford offers you 3 sizes in the E-Transit van that you can choose based on your operations. It is a two-seater van with the rest of the space empty for storage of baggage or equipment.
It also comes equipped with a 12-inch screen that helps you navigate your route, calculate and analyze the charge status and recommend the charging stoppages. This technology is reliable and its results have been amazing in terms of its performance.
- Ford F-150 Lightning
Ford’s F Series is probably the most famous truck series ever. Their trucks are so efficient and capable that they are perfect for big jobs and long journeys. Many people in the countryside are its regular users and they prefer this because it is extremely reliable.
This pickup truck does not give away easily and is also affordable. Hence. People go for this one time and again. The F series has been in the market since 1977 and Ford has evolved it into the best pickup truck ever.
Now, they have expanded this series into an all-electric truck series. Coming out in 2002, this is probably the only truck you will ever need.
With a full charge, this truck can work non-stop for 3 days and if you ration the power then you don’t need to charge it for 10 days. Its amazing backup power will not abandon you in severe conditions.
What makes Ford’s F-150 electric truck popular is its ability to charge other vehicles. You can double it as a generator to charge other vehicles as well.
Through Ford’s BlueCruise advanced technology, this truck also offers you a hands-free driving experience. It recognizes the Blue Zones on the road where you can let go of the wheel.
But it does not mean that you don’t need to pay attention to the road. It does not ensure safety as well and the manufacturers have explained it well on their website too. So you have to remain careful while using the hands-free operation too.
However, in total, there are 130,000 miles of Blue Zones where you can enjoy this different experience that you can’t get in a gasoline vehicle.
The best feature of this series is its app through which you can map out the entire trip. With the FordPass app, you can power your trip by checking the best route and finding charging stations. Additionally, it can also monitor your current charge level and will inform you where you can recharge your vehicle.
Additionally, you can use this truck without a key too. All you have to use is your phone. Through the app, you can connect four phones and have access to the car easily.
The last thing that distinguishes this model from its previous F-series is the intelligence range. This range can detect for how long the vehicle will work depending on external factors such as weather, traffic, payload weight, etc.
Final Thoughts
Ford has come a long way from starting its operations in 1906 to the present day with its electric vehicles on the streets. With the rollercoaster ride, Ford has always given its customers the best of everything.
Electric cars are up and coming with almost all car manufacturers trying to have their own electric vehicles line in the market. We hope with this article, you got an understanding of electric vehicles and can make a decision whether you want to get one or not.