Ford reverses 2030 all‑electric plan, pivots to hybrids
8:48 PM EDT, July 19, 2024
Do you remember Ford's declaration that it would sell only electric vehicles by 2030? Someone in management realized that this was not the way to go.
Marin Gjaja, chief operating officer of Ford E’s electric division, admitted in an interview with Autocar magazine that the company has abandoned the idea of selling exclusively electric vehicles by 2030. The reason? Uncertainty regarding the demand for electric vehicles and legislative issues.
The varying speed at which markets adapt to electric vehicles, the high costs of batteries, and the discontinuation of government subsidies are reasons why the focus has shifted to hybrid drives for the Puma, Focus, and Kuga.
"I think customers have voted, and they told us that was too ambitious, is what I would say - and I think everyone in the industry has found that out the hard way. I would also say reality has a way of making you adjust your plans," said Gjaja.
However, Ford still intends to sell only electric vehicles in the UK, where the Labour Party plans to reinstate the ban on the sale of combustion vehicles as early as 2030.
Ford recently unveiled the electric Capri model, which, like the Explorer, was developed in collaboration with Volkswagen. Electric versions of the Puma and Tourneo Courier are also planned.