USA Today: Electric-powered Ford future plans.

[Simon says]

USA Today

Electric-powered Ford Transit Connect will go 80 miles between charges, other Ford electric vehicle plans revealed

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 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.

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[johnstarnes]

80 miles? Double the Volt? How? BIG batteries?

[Simon says]

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

80 miles? Double the Volt? How? BIG batteries?

I really don't know how but I am glad they did it. I don't think it has a range extender so its more intended to urban commutes and commercial uses.

What I am dying to hear details about is this 2012 plug-in hybrid vehicle.

I think its great that Ford is not shying away from the exploration and commercialization of alternative energy sources and its coming with this electric hybrid onslaught.

[johnstarnes]

Originally Posted by Simon says

I really don't know how but I am glad they did it. I don't think it has a range extender so its more intended to urban commutes and commercial uses.

What I am dying to hear details about is this 2012 plug-in hybrid vehicle.

I think its great that Ford is not shying away from the exploration and commercialization of alternative energy sources and its coming with this electric hybrid onslaught.

Agreed. I feel that the Prius and now the Volt will, in hindsight, be seen as historical catalysts for a whole new automotive era.

[Simon says]

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

Agreed. I feel that the Prius and now the Volt will, in hindsight, be seen as historical catalysts for a whole new automotive era.

Indeed . . .

[fp115]

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

Agreed. I feel that the Prius and now the Volt will, in hindsight, be seen as historical catalysts for a whole new automotive era.

How so? The Transit isn't exactly small nor is it a car...

The electric Focus is still behind on the technological advancements of the Volt and by the time it comes out, the Volt will be advancing to its refined part of the first generation. Ford's Focus will also not offer the same type of recharge as the Volt, it will have a traditional drivetrain and not an electric one like the Volt.

To say the Volt will be seen as a "historical catalyst" is far fetched. Ford is build off the Prius technology, not the Volt technology.

[SullyND]

Originally Posted by fp115

To say the Volt will be seen as a "historical catalyst" is far fetched.

I don't think you understood what he said at all.

[fp115]

Originally Posted by SullyND

I don't think you understood what he said at all.

Ford isn't using technology like what you find in the Volt. Prius in this case is the catalyst to these Ford systems.

The Focus for example uses two fairly large battery packs under the car and in the trunk. These aren't nearly as capable as the Volt's pack, Magna has shown that they are behind on the battery tech. Additionally Ford uses a traditional drivetrain and not an electric power rotor for the wheels.

[Simon says]

Originally Posted by fp115

How so? The Transit isn't exactly small nor is it a car...

The electric Focus is still behind on the technological advancements of the Volt and by the time it comes out, the Volt will be advancing to its refined part of the first generation. Ford's Focus will also not offer the same type of recharge as the Volt, it will have a traditional drivetrain and not an electric one like the Volt.

To say the Volt will be seen as a "historical catalyst" is far fetched. Ford is build off the Prius technology, not the Volt technology.

Do you really need to pick a fight in every thread . . . ? Do you even know what "catalyst" mean in the context of John's message.

It was actually a compliment, meaning that both the Prius and the Volt were such breakthroughs that they accelerated (this is the catalyst part) change towards a whole new automotive era.

But I agree, for the Volt is far fetched to be regarded as a catalyst for anything, since is not yet in the market, nor do we know what is capable off . . . or when will it actually be available.

About the Ford being built on the Prius technology . . . I am not even going to bother with the origins of Ford's Hybrid system, it has been explained here way too many times. The Electric Focus though, will not be a Hybrid but a full electric car . . . so educate yourself a little bit before coming with your made up facts and half truths.

Originally Posted by fp115

Ford isn't using technology like what you find in the Volt. Prius in this case is the catalyst to these Ford systems.

The Focus for example uses two fairly large battery packs under the car and in the trunk. These aren't nearly as capable as the Volt's pack, Magna has shown that they are behind on the battery tech. Additionally Ford uses a traditional drivetrain and not an electric power rotor for the wheels.

What are you talking about? the Focus Electric is not even in the market yet . . .

[fp115]

Originally Posted by Simon says

Do you really need to pick a fight in every thread . . . ? Do you even know what "catalyst" mean in the context of John's message.

It was actually a compliment, meaning that both the Prius and the Volt were such breakthroughs that they accelerated (this is the catalyst part) change towards a whole new automotive era.

But I agree, for the Volt is far fetched to be regarded as a catalyst for anything, since is not yet in the market, nor do we know what is capable off . . . or when will it actually be available.

About the Ford being built on the Prius technology . . . I am not even going to bother with the origins of Ford's Hybrid system, it has been explained here way too many times. The Electric Focus though, will not be a Hybrid but a full electric car . . . so educate yourself a little bit before coming with your made up facts and half truths.

I said I agreed with the Prius being one, not the Volt.

Originally Posted by Simon says

What are you talking about? the Focus Electric is not even in the market yet . . .

Does it need to be on the market to know about it? Ford's electric plans aren't exactly secret, especially since they are working mainly with Magna.

[Buick61]

Well, this thread took a turn toward the disagreeable.

I think it's great what Ford is doing. And Toyota. And Nissan. And General Motors. And Chrysler. And Honda.

Every single new car that isn't a V8 should be electric or hybrid. Save all of that oil for us old-car drivers.

[fp115]

Originally Posted by Buick61

Well, this thread took a turn toward the disagreeable.

I think it's great what Ford is doing. And Toyota. And Nissan. And General Motors. And Chrysler. And Honda.

Every single new car that isn't a V8 should be electric or hybrid. Save all of that oil for us old-car drivers.

Agreed! Anything that does not have the smell of gas should be banned! Just the lack of sound in a car makes me sad. Driving a hydrogen car some 2 years ago in snow, was so disappointing. No sound other than the crackling of snow in the tires.

Frankly I don't care much about electric vehicles, but I am under the impression that electric only is not a solution. We need methods like the Volt's system that remove any possible limits.

[Simon says]

Originally Posted by fp115

I said I agreed with the Prius being one, not the Volt.

Agreed then (I don't see the Volt as a catalyst of anything either). Keep in mind though that John Starnes wasn't disparaging the Volt in any way . . . His comment was totally complimentary.

Originally Posted by fp115

Does it need to be on the market to know about it? Ford's electric plans aren't exactly secret, especially since they are working mainly with Magna.

Would you care to explain then . . . how is the BEV Focus "still behind on the technological advancements of the Volt"? Can it be just a different approach? How is the Volt better per se without neither car having been tested in real life situations? (well the Focus kind of has with the current body LINK)

The Focus has almost double the range of the Volt (75 miles v. 40 for the Volt) but wont have a range extender. I see different approaches to the same problem, I just don't see how you can say one is better than the other . . . yet.

[johnstarnes]

Originally Posted by fp115

How so? The Transit isn't exactly small nor is it a car...

The electric Focus is still behind on the technological advancements of the Volt and by the time it comes out, the Volt will be advancing to its refined part of the first generation. Ford's Focus will also not offer the same type of recharge as the Volt, it will have a traditional drivetrain and not an electric one like the Volt.

To say the Volt will be seen as a "historical catalyst" is far fetched. Ford is build off the Prius technology, not the Volt technology.

Please re-read my post....I made no mention of the Transit, just that we are witnessing a transition to electric powertrains. Which I think is cool AND hopeful.

[johnstarnes]

Originally Posted by SullyND

I don't think you understood what he said at all.

Agreed. Which I find baffling.