Ford has committed to only selling all-electric passenger vehicles in Europe from 2030, alongside major changes to its commercial fleet by that date.
The US car giant says it expects that by mid-2026 all its passenger cars will either be plug-in hybrids or fully-electric, but four years later even those hybrid sales will end and its models will be all-electric only.
Similarly, Ford’s entire commercial vehicle range will be zero-emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid, by 2024, with two-thirds of Ford’s commercial vehicle sales expected to be all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2030.
Investments
The news comes after Ford reported a return to profit in Europe reporting in the fourth quarter of 2020 and announced it was investing at least $22 billion (€18 billion) globally in electrification through 2025, nearly twice the company’s previous EV investment plans.
"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," said Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe.
As part of its move to rapidly increase its all-electric fleet, the company is investing $1 billin in modernising its assembly facility in Cologne, Germany. Ford also confirmed that its first European-built, volume all-electric passenger vehicle for customers here will be produced at the facility from 2023, with the potential for a second all-electric vehicle built there under consideration.
“Our announcement today to transform our Cologne facility, the home of our operations in Germany for 90 years, is one of the most significant Ford has made in over a generation. It underlines our commitment to Europe and a modern future with electric vehicles at the heart of our strategy for growth,” Rowley said.
Earlier this month Ford and Google also announced the establishment of a new collaborative group, Team Upshift, to drive data-driven opportunities.
