Ford Motor's begun to trickle out details of its electric-vehicle plans. It says Azure Dynamics will supply its so-called Force Drive drivetrain to create an all-electric version of its Transit Connect small commercial van. The plug-in vehicle should go on sale to commercial customers in the U.S. and Canada late next year. The battery-powered Transit will go at least 80 miles (130 km) on a full charge, Ford says, and possibly more. A final decision hasn't been made on battery size, which will determine the range. Johnson Controls-Saft will supply the lithium-ion battery. And it will be "dual badged": The electric Transit Connect is to be marketed as both a Ford and an Azure, and possibly warrantied by Azure, not Ford.
In 2011, Ford says, it will offer a battery only, plug-in Focus, with at least some intended for regular showroom customers rather than strictly commercial and fleet buyers.
In 2012 will come an unidentified "next-generation" hybrid (meaning it'll have a lithium-ion battery) and an also-anonymous "plug-in hybrid vehicle." Ford won't say if these will be two versions of the same model -- such as two versions of a Fusion sedan -- or separate models, such as a next-gen Fusion hybrid, for instance, and a plug-in Escape. Too bad all those weren't around during the cash-for-clunkers program. They'd have qualified, in spades.
Source : USAToday, by Murad Sezer, November 6th, 2009
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