Ford in ‘Deep Development’ of Next-Generation EV Pickup Truck

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published Feb. 7, 2023

Fordis in “deep development” of its next-generation electric vehicles, including a new, full-size EV pickup that will complement the automaker’s already-successful F-150 Lightning.

Ford has been working on several new developments for its Model e division dedicated to EVs in hopes of creating an industry-leading platform. One of these developments, revealed last year, was an all-new pickup design with a new nameplate, rumored to be a fresh slate for Ford to build upon.

Electric trucks have become a growing part of the overall EV market in the U.S. Rivian, Ford and General Motors all currently have competitive offers available, with Tesla, Lordstown Motors and others planning to release additional pickups within the next year.

On Ford's Feb. 2 earnings call, CEO Jim Farley hinted toward the new EV pickup, and his comments seemed to solidify reports from late last year that indicated the company’s next electric truck would not be a transitional model that sports the same name as a gas model.

“Now, we are deep in the development of our second-generation EVs, including our next-generation electric full-size pickup, which, by the way, is awesome," Farley said.

Farley’s vague comments are unsurprising, but they catalyze plenty of potential for a carmaker like Ford. The company has been selling the most popular pickup brand in America for 46 consecutive years and America’s best-selling vehicle 41 times in the F-150 series.

The F-150 Lightning has also been a Ford EV pickup concept, selling 15,671 units of the all-electric pickup in its first year on the market.

While details are scarce at the current time, Ford did detail some of the plans it has for the next-generation EV architecture, which will be developed completely from scratch. Farley said the new platform would encourage simplification, which should improve manufacturing and engineering through various streamlined processes.

Ford will need it, too, especially as the company is planning to reach a volume potential of 1 million units with “just a handful of orderable combinations.”

Other things can be optimized. “We didn’t know that our wiring harness for Mach-E was 1.6 kilometers longer than it needed to be. We didn’t know it’s 70 pounds heavier, and that that’s worth $300 of battery. We didn’t know that we underinvested in braking technology to save on the battery size,” Farley added later in the call.

While the two-row crossover is what Farley referred to as “the core civic of the EV business,” it still wants to focus on profitability, of course. Still, it intends to continue offering a strong and marketable product at a price attractive to customers and viable for Ford to continue bringing in profits.

Ford is still working through the kinks, and its business overall has plenty to optimize.

"We left about $2 billion of profit on the table due to cost and especially continued supply chain issues,” Farley said. “These are the simple facts. And to say I’m frustrated is an understatement.”

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Ford Launches Home Charging Pilot Program with Duke Energy in NC

PublishedAug. 31, 2023

Fordon Aug. 28 announced a pilot program with Duke Energy to provide electric vehicle customers in North Carolina with a chance to save money, increase the use of renewable energy and support electric grid resiliency while charging at home. 

The EV Complete Home Charging Plan pilot aims to bring more certainty to the cost of EV home charging by providing a low, fixed monthly rate for electricity used in exchange for allowing Ford and Duke Energy to manage charging times to best support the electric grid.

The pilot program will help support electric grid resiliency by seamlessly managing selected customers’ home charging schedules when there is less strain on the grid and when more renewable energy is readily available. Ford EV customers, along with GMand BMW EV drivers, will receive an invitation to enroll in the program starting in September, with the EV Complete Home Charging Plan pilot officially launching Nov. 1.

“The connectivity features offered in our electric vehicles are revolutionizing the customer experience by creating easy opportunities to save money, support the electric grid and drive toward zero-carbon charging,” said Bill Crider, head of global charging and energy services, Ford Motor Company. “Our pilot program with Duke Energy is another strong example of providing customers with better vehicle ownership experiences, while also supporting our shared grid and sustainability aspirations.”

Source: Ford

Ford Makes Major Progress in Growing EV Capacity

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published May 22, 2023

Fordhas made major progress in its quest to grow its manufacturing capacity for EVs by signing and announcing several deals for the supply of lithium.

Ford has goals to build 2 million electric vehicles ;every year by 2026, hoping to close the gap with industry leader Tesla, which has dominated the sector due to its manufacturing prowess and evident lead in EV tech and infrastructure.

Ford said May 22 it signed two lithium deals that will help it develop a more stable supply of EV batteries. Albemarle Corp.signed a five-year agreement with Ford, while Nemaska Lithium agreed to an 11-year term with the Detroit-based automaker.

The supply deal will see the companies provide Ford with lithium hydroxide, a key ingredient in the cathode of lithium-ion batteries.

Albemarle’s deal with Ford will supply the automaker with more than 100,000 metric tons of battery-grade lithium hydroxide, enough for approximately 3 million EV batteries.

“With the growing demand for EVs in the United States, our customers are seeking to regionalize their supply chain for greater security, sustainability and lower costs,” said Albemarle Energy Storage President Eric Norris. “This agreement exemplifies the industry collaborations and investments required. We’re honored to be entering into this strategic partnership with a legendary automotive manufacturer such as Ford.”

Meanwhile, Nemaska Lithium will provide Ford with 13,000 tons of lithium hydroxide every year.

“We are proud to work with Nemaska Lithium and its partners, Liventand Investissement Québec. The Nemaska Lithium project will be a sustainable source of lithium, supporting Ford’s ability to scale and helping us make EVs more accessible and affordable over time to millions of customers,” said Lisa Drake, Ford’s VP of EV industrialization.

Ford has also signed a deal with EnergySource Materials, which will supply lithium from its California refinery that will become operational in 2025. Compass Mineralswill also supply lithium carbonate, Reuters said.

Ford has made many strides this year to solidify its EV supply chain, especially for battery minerals, as it continues to grow production in hopes of catching up to Tesla.

Ford signed deals with PT Vale Indonesia and China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt as a partner in its $4.5 billion nickel processing plant. This deal happened in March and gives “Ford direct control to source the nickel we need,” Drake said when the deal was announced.

Ford will also host an Investor Day event May 22, where it will detail its plans for EV expansion. Ford will continue to lose money on its EV unit until it reaches a level of scalability that will offset its manufacturing costs. The ongoing EV price war has certainly not helped the cause, as Ford has been forced to adjust prices to remain competitive.

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Ford Patents In-Road Wireless Charging Tech for EVs

Written by Iulian Dnistran, InsideEVs
Published Aug. 18, 2023

A recent Fordpatent granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) shows how the American auto giant is thinking about charging all-electric vehicles in the future, and it’s interesting and questionable at the same time.

First seen by Green Car Reports, the patent application describes how coils connected to a source of electricity could be embedded in the road surface to transmit power wirelessly to receivers mounted on EVs driving along.

Titled “Roadway Charging Coil Alignment and Monitoring,” the application, originally filed Jan. 20 and published July 20, proposes equipping the vehicles with ground penetrating radar to detect the embedded coils and automatically steer them, maximizing the charging power by precisely aligning the in-road coils with the vehicle’s receiver.

The detailed description reads as follows:

“The invention optimizes inductive coupling between vehicle-mounted receiving coils and roadway-embedded transmission coils in order to maximize a vehicle charging rate while driving at speed on a roadway.

"Ground penetrating radar (preferably Ultra-Wideband or UWB radar) detects and maps out the embedded charging coils so that a vehicle path can be laid out with the optimal charging capacity. A detection range of the radar extends beyond the charging coil presently beneath a vehicle, potentially beyond the next few coils in the travel direction of the vehicle.”

It’s an interesting proposal that could lead to EVs having smaller batteries, which in turn can make the vehicles much lighter and more efficient, considering they could be charged on the go. But it’s not without its flaws, the biggest of them being the potential costs of putting copper wire in the roads.

Another potential problem is the limited output current dynamic wireless charging solutions are capable of providing---most offer between 11 and 20 kW---but even those are still at the experimental level. A bigger average transfer rate of 70 kW was achieved on a segment of a one-mile test road in Sweden in 2021, where Israeli startup ElectReonsuccessfully tested its technology at various speeds of up to 37 miles per hour on a 40-ton truck.

A more recent test, performed by Stellantisin Italy using the same ElectReon in-road tech, saw a Fiat500e drive while being dynamically and wirelessly recharged on a stretch of road about 6/10ths of a mile long.

This isn’t the first time Ford got a patent for new EV tech. In July, it filed an application for a portable charging trailer that could power the EV towing it, and in June it filed another patent that describes a roof-mounted backup battery pack.

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Ford Pauses $3.5B EV Plant Despite $1.7B Subsidy

Written by Scott McClallen, The Center Square
Published Sept. 26, 2023

Despite $1.7B of promised taxpayer incentives for the plant and site readiness, Ford Motor Co. says it’s not confident about its ability to competitively run its Marshall, MI, electric vehicle plant.

Lawmakers and Ford said the plant would create 2,500 jobs paying an average wage of $45,136.

“We’re pausing work and limiting spending on construction on the Marshall project until we’re confident that we’ll be able to competitively operate the plant,” Ford spokesman T.R. Reid told The Center Square in an email. “There are a number of considerations. We haven’t made any final decision about the planned investment there. There’s nothing to add, at this point.”

The Detroit News first reported the story.

The $3.5 billion factory aimed to drop the cost of EVs via lithium-iron phosphate batteries and pump out 2 million vehicles globally by 2026. Michigan has 34,380 EVs registered statewide, while Minnesota has 41,417 and Illinois has nearly 80,000. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has touted the Marshall plant as the flagship of her economic development policy.

The Michigan Strategic Fund approved incentives for the BlueOval Battery Park, including a $210 million Critical Industry Program grant from Michigan's Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund; $772 million in Renaissance Zone property; and a real tax exemption over 15 years; and a $36 million loan.

On top of that, lawmakers approved $750 million for site readiness.

A day after Ford made the announcement, the Michigan Strategic Fund approved a $65 million Strategic Site Readiness Program Grant to the Marshall Area Economic Development Alliance for land acquisition, site studies and water and wastewater upgrades.
 
Michigan Economic Development Corporation Communications Manager Otie McKinely told The Center Square in an email: “To date, Ford has not received any CIP funding. All funding thus far has been expended to support the development of the Marshall site, including assemblage of Ford and non-Ford parcels, which would be applicable for any prospective tenant of the site.”

Rep. Sarah Lightner, R-Springport, said Democrat policies including a 100% planned clean energy mandate are hurting businesses.

“Gov. Whitmer threw $1.7 billion in taxpayer dollars at Ford to bring its new EV plant to Marshall, but even that wasn’t enough to make the company turn a blind eye toward the anti-business climate the Democrat majority has created,” Lightner said in a statement. “Their far-left policies put more red tape and higher costs on businesses. The extreme energy mandate they’re currently pushing will raise costs even further while leaving large manufacturers like Ford worried about blackouts affecting their bottom line. If this keeps up, Michigan workers will pay the price as industries suffer and opportunities vanish.”

Lightner called on the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to claw back money given, if any, to Ford for the plant if it closes permanently.

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Ford Pauses F-150 Lightning Production, Citing Potential Battery Issue

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published Feb. 14, 2023

Fordis halting production and shipments of the F-150 Lightning, its all-electric version of the best-selling pickup truck in the U.S., citing potential battery issues.

The stop shipment order and production halt were issued early the week of Feb. 6, Ford spokespeople said.

“There is a stop build and in-transit stop ship for F-150 Lightning,” Ford’s Emma Bergg told Teslarati. "As part of our pre-delivery quality inspections, a vehicle displayed a potential battery issue and we are holding vehicles while we investigate."

There is currently no stop-sale for vehicles already on Ford dealer lots, as available units can currently be sold to customers.

Ford announced Feb. 13 it is investing $3.5 billion in an EV battery production facility in Michigan, partnering with Chinese company CATL. The plant is expected to produce lithium iron phosphate cells, which are less expensive to produce but have less power and range than other cell chemistries.

Ford CEO Jim Farley said during the company’s most recent earnings call that the automaker left “about $2 billion on the table.” Farley went on to say that 2023 will be a “pivotal” year in the automaker’s transition to EVs, and while this is not necessarily a strong start, it is routine.

Automakers combat vehicle recalls and production issues, and it is simply part of the manufacturing process.

As EV makers continue to work toward producing EVs on a more massive scale, these production issues are sure to occur, but they can be fixed.

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The "30x30 initiative" will simplify the process for businesses to acquire EV charging support.

Ford Secures Nickel Supplies with $4.5 Billion Investment

Written by William Johnson, Teslarati
Published March 30, 2023

Fordannounced it has partnered with two entities to construct a nickel processing facility in Indonesia.

Primarily focusing on lithium, cobalt and nickel, automakers around the globe are looking to establish affordable and dependable sources of materials as they look to ramp up their EV production in the coming years. Ford has done just that by signing on to the $4.5 billion facility.

The upcoming nickel processing facility, to be built with funds from Ford, Chinese material processor Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, and mining company PT Vale Indonesia, has already entered construction and is set to enter commercial operation sometime in 2026. The facility is strategically placed near PT Vale’s nickel mining operation on the island of Sulawesi.

Nickel will be processed at the facility using the High-Pressure Acid Leaking (HPAC) method and could eventually supply two Ford battery production locations in the U.S. Both would require the processed material once they become operational as well.

“This framework gives Ford direct control to source the nickel we need---in one of the industry’s lowest-cost ways---and allows us to ensure the nickel is mined in line with our company’s sustainability targets, setting the right ESG standards as we scale,” said Lisa Drake, VP of Ford Model e EV industrialization. “Working this way puts Ford in a position to help make EVs more accessible for millions and to do it in a way that helps better protect people and the planet.”

Lithium-ion batteries and other EV components are still highly dependent on nickel, unlike cobalt and numerous rare earth elements, which automakers are looking to distance themselves from. As automakers look to move away from the more controversial rare earth elements, nickel supplies will likely only become increasingly important.

Ford’s nickel deal comes as numerous other automakers are also working their way down the supply chain, hoping to save costs and increase supply dependability in the wake of the pandemic. Countless rumors have surrounded Teslaacquiring mining companies, particularly in Brazil, while even more conservative auto giants like Mercedes-Benz are reportedly considering entering the mining business as well.

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The automaker's EV division, Model e, reported a $1.3 billion loss in the first quarter of the the year.

Ford Shows First-Quarter Profit Despite EV Revenue Losses

PublishedMay 3, 2023

For the first time, Fordreleased its quarterly financial report by the three distinct segments it split the company into a year ago: Ford Blue, producing traditional ICE and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, producing electric vehicles; and Ford Pro, producing commercial vehicles.

The resulting data showed Ford’s first-quarter 2023 revenue reached $41.5 billion, up 20% from the same period a year ago, on shipments approaching 1.1 million vehicles, a 9% increase.

While the Ford Blue and Ford Pro business segments were both profitable in every region where they operate---including North America, as Ford was the best-selling vehicle brand in the U.S.---Ford lost $700 million in its Model e segment. Ford said that segment “operates like a startup,” and said in March it expects to lose $3 billion on its EVs this year.

In a press release regarding the first-quarter results, Ford said shipments of and revenue from EVs were limited by production interruptions of two popular vehicles: the Mustang Mach-E SUV, to make industrial changes that will nearly double manufacturing capacity, and the F-150 Lightning pickup, to isolate and address a battery issue before it became a problem for customers.

According to Ford CEO Jim Farley, the first quarter of organizing around and running the company on behalf of distinct customer groups produced solid operating results and a glimpse of the promise of its Ford+ growth plan.

“We’re bringing Ford+ to life by zeroing in on what distinct customers need and value the most,” said Farley. “Ford Pro is leading the way on profitable growth, our big investments in iconic Ford Blue vehicles and derivatives are winning with customers, and Ford Model e’s different approach to EVs is significantly reducing costs on our first high-volume products while rapidly developing breakthrough next-generation vehicles from the ground up.”

Ford reported a net income of $1.8 billion, compared to a net loss in the 2022 period primarily attributable to a change in the value of its investment in Rivian.

Ford is maintaining the full-year 2023 performance expectations it released in early February: adjusted EBIT of $9 billion to $11 billion and adjusted free cash flow of about $6 billion.

Additionally, the company reaffirmed it expects about $7 billion in earnings in 2023 for Ford Blue, up modestly from last year; a full-year loss of about $3 billion for Ford Model e; and $6 billion in earnings for Ford Pro, which would be nearly twice its 2022 earnings.

Source: Ford

Ford Slashes F-150 Lightning Prices in Many Cities

Written by Suvrat Kothari, InsideEVs
Published July 16, 2023

After reducing the prices of the Mustang Mach-E earlier this year, Fordhas started offering discounted prices for the F-150 Lightning in select states.

The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning can now qualify for a "retail order bonus cash incentive," according to bulletins sent to dealers, reported car buying portal CarsDirect. Buyers can save up to $2,500 if they order any version of the electric pickup truck by July 31.

Here’s a list of cities where F-150 Lightning order discounts are available when buying or leasing:

• $2,500: Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas, Houston, New York and Pittsburg
• $2,000: Boston, Denver, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
• $1,000: Chicago, Charlotte, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis, Orlando, Phoenix and the Twin Cities region

Customers can also benefit from 1.9% financing for up to 36 months on all Lightning versions. No such deals existed previously, and it's the first time Ford is offering discounts on the electric truck since deliveries began in the summer of 2022, per CarsDirect data.

Another report stated customers in Phoenix can obtain $1,000 from retail trade assist and $500 in low APR retail customer cash, for total savings of $1,500. Remember the deals are regional, and might not apply to every customer.

Buyers in California might benefit the most. With the $7,500 federal tax credit and the state’s $2,000 clean vehicle rebate, the F-150 Lightning's price could plummet by as much as $12,000.

The Pro variant, sold out for MY2023 per Ford's website, starts at $59,974. Deliveries for the XLT, Lariat and Platinum will start in October.

Ford has 86 days' worth of F-150 Lightning inventory and 113 days’ worth of Mustang Mach-E stock, per a Reuters story quoting Cox Automotive. Ford disagreed with the Cox estimate, stating it had 56 days' worth of supply for the electric truck, including transit time.

The Detroit carmaker’s BEV sales increased so far in 2023, with Lightning sales up by 119% in Q2 2023. But June figures were in the negative. CEO Jim Farleysaid recently BEVs are unlikely to achieve cost parity with ICE vehicles until the end of this decade.

Dealer inventory levels are soaring in the U.S., with an average weekly inventory of 90,000 EVs. Analysts state there’s a gulf between consumer enthusiasm about electric cars and actual purchases.

Price cuts appear to be the bulwark in the face of slumping sales. And they’re working, especially for Tesla, whose EVs have become significantly cheaper this year. The Model Y was the ;world’s best-selling car of any category in the first quarter of 2023, and CEO Elon Musk projects it to be the top-selling car this year.

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Despite a surge in sales last year, the company informed suppliers it has halved its weekly production goal, from 3,200 trucks to 1,600.

Automakers are dealing with a slowdown in demand as they try to attract the "early majority," who are less forgiving of drawbacks.

Owners of Ford EVs will soon be able to get a free adapter to allow them access to Tesla's chargers.

The Lead the Charge Leaderboard evaluates 18 global companies on their efforts to eliminate emissions, environmental harms and human rights violations from their supply chains.

Ford to Axe 3 Popular Gas Vehicles to Make Way for EVs

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published Aug. 31, 2023

Fordis planning to discontinue the Escape, Edge and Transit Connect to make more capital available for its EV push, a major point of CEO Jim Farley’s plans to return Ford to its once industry-leading position.

Ford, one of the longest-standing car companies in the world, has ultimately decided to transition away from the gas-powered models that have brought it so much success for a century.

Ford has been one of the most committed legacy OEMs in terms of EV adoption and has also been one of the most successful to do so since putting its cards on the table and admitting it will need EVs to run a top-notch and sustainable business into the next few decades.

According to Automotive News, Ford is planning to get rid of the two SUVs and commercial van due to higher-than-expected losses in 2023---Ford is set to lose $4.5 billion more than it previously expected, according to the report.

Ford has bolstered its EV production with expansions of various facilities and has even set aside billions for a dedicated production facility for EVs and batteries in Tennessee.

However, its 400,000-unit annual production goal set to be achieved in 2024 has been pushed back. It planned to quadruple that number by 2026 and bring 2 million EVs to customers that year, but that figure is also being re-examined.

It would not be the first time a company didn’t reach its annual production goals for EVs. Many automakers have set out to produce a figure that seemed extremely lofty at the time, only to come up short as the production and manufacturing processes are seemingly more complex than initially thought.

But Ford still has a lot going for it on the EV front. It has plans to bring a next-gen pickup to its brand sometime within the next couple of years, and the F-150 Lightning and Mustang Mach-E are becoming more popular with every quarter as the automaker continues to reduce prices and achieve more scalability.

The Edge will be discontinued as the Oakville, Ontario, Canada, plant the car is built in will be retooled to make way for a three-row all-electric SUV. Meanwhile, the Transit Connect will only be removed from U.S. showrooms, but the European market will have access to the vehicle.

The Escape is one of Ford’s most popular models, and there is currently no set date for the SUV to be removed from production. It is more than likely going to be built for the next few years, but there are no plans to make an electric iteration of the Escape, at least for now.

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Ford to Increase Mustang Mach-E Production While Cutting Prices

PublishedJan. 30, 2023

With its new EV supply chain coming online, Fordis significantly increasing production of the Mustang Mach-E this year to help reduce customer wait times and to take advantage of streamlined costs to reduce prices across the board, making Mustang Mach-E even more accessible to customers and keeping it competitive in the marketplace.

The new MSRPs range from $45,995 for a Select rear-wheel-drive standard range---down $900 from $46,895---to $63,995 for a GT extended range, a nearly $6,000 reduction from $69,895.

The production increase is a key part of the Ford+ Plan, underscoring the company’s commitment to lead the EV revolution by increasing the value of its EVs for customers, continuing to position Mustang Mach-E as a compelling option for those looking for an electric SUV, and growing market share. 

Ford already offers EV customers a full-size truck, SUV and van---and has secured the batteries and raw material to scale production of all these models in 2023.

Mustang Mach-E delivers the 0-60 thrills with an available EPA-estimated 300+ mile range and zero tailpipe emissions. It is available with BlueCruise hands-free driving on more than 130,000 miles of highway and can be updated through over-the-air Ford Power-Up software updates. All Ford EV customers also have access to more than 79,000 charging plugs and growing through the BlueOval Charge™ Network, North America’s largest public charging network.

Almost all of Mustang Mach-E’s growth to date is incremental to the brand with two-thirds of Mustang Mach-E customers coming from competitor brands.

The Mustang Mach-E was the No. 3 EV model in the U.S. in 2022 and the updated pricing is part of Ford's plan to keep the SUV competitive in a rapidly changing market, while strengthening Ford’s position as the No. 2 U.S. EV manufacturer as it continues to scale that part of the business. 

“We are not going to cede ground to anyone. We are producing more EVs to reduce customer wait times, offering competitive pricing and working to create an ownership experience that is second to none,” said Marin Gjaja, chief customer officer, Ford Model e. “Our customers are at the center of everything we do---as we continue to build thrilling and exciting electric vehicles, we will continue to push the boundaries to make EVs more accessible for everybody.”

MSRP excludes destination/delivery fee plus government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer processing charge, any electronic filing charge and any emission testing charge.

Existing Mustang Mach-E customers awaiting delivery of their vehicle will automatically receive the adjusted price and for customers with a sale date after Jan. 1, and already have their Mustang Mach-E, Ford will reach out directly.

“Part of our mission at Ford is to treat customers like family,” said Gjaja. "We want our customers to know they made the right decision by choosing a Mustang Mach-E, and we’ll continue to play a proactive role in doing the right thing for those joining the Ford family.”

In addition to adjusted pricing, on Mustang Mach-E vehicles ordered between Jan. 30 and April 3, Ford Credit will be offering special rates as low as 5.34%.

“This is a natural companion to the new Mach-E pricing,” said Craig Carrington, Ford Credit executive vice president for North America. “The offer is straightforward and competitive, enabling customers to lock in today’s rates, even if rates go up between order and delivery.”

Visit ford.com for full range, pricing and specs on the electric Mustang Mach-E.  

Source: Ford

Ford to Restart F-150 Lightning Production on March 13

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published March 2, 2023

Fordsaid it will restart production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center on March 13 after a multi-week manufacturing stoppage.

On Feb. 14, Ford announced a stop build and in-transit stop ship for the F-150 Lightning after finding potential battery issues in a vehicle that underwent a pre-delivery quality inspection.

At least one vehicle displayed a battery issue. Ford found the root cause of the problem one day after announcing the production stoppage, it said.

It was unknown how long the production stoppage would last, but Ford finally has answers.

On March 2, Ford spokespeople announced production would officially restart March 13, "allowing time for SK On’s battery cells to be built into battery arrays and packs and be delivered to the Lightning production line.”

Ford said it would use its learnings from the past few weeks to work with SK On “to ensure we continue delivering high-quality battery packs---down to the battery cells.”

Already-produced F-150 Lightning units will be held at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center while Ford continues to work through engineering and parts updates.

The issue did not affect F-150 Lightning units already at dealerships across the U.S., the company said initially. These vehicles were safe to sell by dealers and buy by consumers, as they were unaffected by the SK On battery problems, Ford said.

On Feb. 24, the automaker said in a statement it agreed with SK On's recommended changes within its equipment and that battery cell production had already resumed at the cell maker’s facility in Commerce, GA.

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Ford to Supply USPS with E-Transit Mail Delivery Vehicles

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published March 3, 2023

FordE-Transit vehicles will be used by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for future sustainable mail delivery, the agency announced.

The USPS awarded contracts for 9,250 new left-hand drive EVs and more than 14,000 charging stations to be built and installed at facilities across the U.S.

The USPS considered a variety of different EVs, but it ultimately awarded the contract to purchase all 9,250 mail delivery EVs from Ford, opting for its E-Transit van, one of the dominant small commercial vehicles in the sector.

Ford’s E-Transit will join the USPS fleet in December, dependent on a successful Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.

The use of E-Transit vehicles is just the next step in the USPS plan to revolutionize its vehicle fleet and make it more sustainable. In December, it announced over the next five years, 75% of newly acquired Next Generation Delivery Vehicles will be electric. After 2026, 100% of the NGDVs purchased will be fully electric.

By 2028, the USPS expects to have 66,230 fully electric vehicles, and it plans to purchase a total of 106,000 delivery vehicles in total by that time.

As far as the charging infrastructure, it will be a slow rollout, starting with installations at a minimum of 75 locations over the next year. Additional facilities will be equipped with EV charging infrastructure in the succeeding years, the USPS said.

The USPS has said in the past it will install “tens of thousands” of EV charging stations across the U.S. by 2028.

“We are moving forward with our plans to simultaneously improve our service, reduce our cost, grow our revenue and improve the working environment for our employees. Electrification of our vehicle fleet is now an important component of these initiatives,” said Louis DeJoy, postmaster general. “We have developed a strategy that mitigates both cost and risk of deployment---which enables execution on this initiative to begin now.”

The USPS is investing at least $9.6 billion to update its vehicle fleet, $3 billion of which is from funds made available through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Many of its current vehicles are outdated and offer relatively no modern features that could make mail carriers more comfortable during their shifts.

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Ford to Unveil Radical New Plan to Improve Quality, Profitability

Written by William Johnson, Teslarati
Published Feb. 8, 2023

Fordexecutives will unveil the company’s new expansion plan at a “fireside chat” with auto analyst Rod Lache, Feb. 15 at the Auto Consumer Conference 2023 in New York City.

Ford has faced rocky roads in its transition to EVs, its most recent earnings report showed. To battle these challenges, Ford CEO Jim Farley is taking the business by the horns and implementing Ford+.

The scheme began last year as the automaker split into three segments covering ICE, EV and commercial products, but at the upcoming meeting, the rest of the changes will be revealed, as Farley and team will tell how they plan to reduce costs and improve quality.

A change in business plan should come as no surprise. Farley recently said, “We left about $2 billion in profits on the table that were within our control.” The CEO plans to “correct that with improved execution and performance.”

The first part of Ford’s new plan was splitting into Ford Blue, its ICE division; Ford Model e, dedicated to EVs; and Ford Pro, for commercial vehicles. But as previously explained by Farley, it will also likely be forcing changes in Ford’s sales model. Specifically, Ford plans to reduce operating costs at its dealers, increase online ordering and achieve a profit margin of 8% across the company.

But Ford dealers are also changing what cars they sell and how they interact with customers. The recently rolled out Ford Model e certification program forced prospective dealers to get “certified” to sell EVs by investing in EV charging equipment and abiding by a new set of terms that would guide customer sales, no more markups and no more price haggling.

Finally, quality has become a consistent problem for Ford. Over the past two years, the company has been forced to address a wave of recall issues stemming from multiple new model lines. Through a change in quality control leadership, improvements have already been seen. Still, there is no doubt Farley aims to continue improving to reassure customers and reduce recall costs.

It remains unclear what other changes the group of executives have in store for the historic automaker, but what is clear is it will need to change if it hopes to compete in the increasingly competitive EV market. Yet, with ambitious goals and a head start in the EV market compared to its traditional rivals, Farley has undoubtedly placed the brand on the right track.

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Ford Uncovers F-150 Lightning Battery Problem, Production to Resume in Weeks

Written by Steven Loveday, InsideEVs
Published Feb. 16, 2023

Fordhas reportedly figured out what caused a battery issue in the F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck that has temporarily halted production and shipping to dealers.

The company doesn't believe the problem impacts trucks already delivered to dealers, and it says production should resume in a few weeks.

Ford reached out to Electrekand said it hopes to be done with its root-cause investigation by the end of the week of Feb. 20, and use what it learns in the battery production process going forward, which could take a few weeks. The automaker doesn't anticipate any related recalls.

When the production shutdown was first announced Feb. 14, Ford spokesperson Emma Bergg said Ford became aware of the potential issue during a pre-delivery quality inspection and issued the stop shipment order early in the week of Feb. 6. The carmaker hadn't been apprised of any real-world incidents or problems related to the possible battery concern.

The F-150 Lightning is one of only three fully electric trucks currently available on our shores. Available competitors include the RivianR1T and GMCHummer EV. The Ford full-size electric truck carries a starting price of around $56,000.

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The automakers were two of the first to adopt Tesla's charging port for their own EVs earlier this year.

Both legacy automakers are under pressure to make their EV business segments profitable.

Ford, Uber Launch Mustang Mach-E Flexible Lease Pilot in CA Cities

PublishedJune 1, 2023

FordNext is collaborating with Uberto deliver a new lease option for rideshare drivers going electric.

Called Ford Drive, the pilot program offers flexible access to Ford Mustang Mach-E models and has launched in San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA. Ford Drive’s Los Angeles vehicle deliveries began June 1.

A flexible lease allows rideshare drivers to select their Mustang Mach-E for between one- and four-month increments, depending on the location. The vehicle is delivered to the driver within two weeks, and they use the Ford Drive app to manage payments and service.

In each city, the Ford Drive team works with local dealers to purchase a fleet of Mustang Mach-Es. Service and maintenance of those vehicles are conducted through dealers as well.

Ford Next and Uber initially launched the flexible lease pilot in 2022, allowing San Diego drivers on the Uber platform to lease more than 150 Mustang Mach-Es. Now, drivers in three California cities are able to test drive this new leasing approach. California is Uber’s leading North American market for EV uptake, with close to 10% of all on-trip miles completed in fully electric vehicles as of late 2022.

“We understand uptime and ease of use are critical to every rideshare driver. As more of them make the switch to electric vehicles, we’re building the Ford Drive program around their unique needs,” said Bill Knapp, who leads Ford Drive. “We’re glad that the initial feedback on this venture has been so strong, and it’s exciting to learn from these driver experiences to explore solutions supporting Uber and Ford’s shared electrification goals.”

Ford Drive is an initiative of Ford Next, a division that incubates and launches new businesses that create value for Ford by complementing Ford products and creating new business models and customer experiences.

Christopher Hook, Uber’s global head of sustainability, said: “Climate change is the most urgent challenge of our time, and we must work together in order to tackle it.

“As we continue marching toward our zero-emissions goal, Uber is thrilled to partner with Ford to provide an attractive and affordable option for leasing a leading EV and help drivers lower running costs and emissions. It’s a win for drivers, their riders and the communities where they live.”

Uber aims to be a zero-emissions platform in North America and Europe by 2030 and has pledged $800 million in incentives and resources to help drivers make the switch to electric vehicles.

Drivers of fully electric vehicles on the Uber platform in North America are eligible for the Zero Emissions incentive, which currently lets them earn an extra $1 on every Uber Rides trip (up to $4,000 per calendar year). In addition, the Mustang Mach-E is eligible for Comfort Electric, Uber’s premium zero exhaust ride offering.

One reason Uber is incentivizing drivers to go green: When high-mileage drivers make the switch to electric, communities see up to four times the emissions reduction benefit compared to the average car owner, according to Uber’s SPARK! report.

With the Mustang Mach-E, drivers on the Uber platform have ample trunk space and seating for riders who are taking trips within the city or to the airport. Drivers also have access to more than 85,000 charging plugs and growing through the BlueOval Charge™ Network.

Ford is investing more than $50 billion in electric vehicles through 2026. As part of its Ford + plan, Ford is working to deliver a 600,000 EV production run rate globally by the end of this year and 2 million globally by the end of 2026.

Source: Ford

Ford's Future EV Mega Factory in Tennessee Taking Shape

Written by Tom Moloughney, InsideEVs
Published March 24, 2023

Construction at Ford's new electric truck and battery manufacturing mega campus, BlueOval City, in West Tennessee is on track and projected to begin production in 2025.

InsideEVstoured the facility, currently just a massive construction project, and spoke with Ford reps about its progress.

The 3,600-acre site covers nearly 6 square miles of land and will create 6,000 new jobs, providing a huge boost to the local economy. To prepare the local workforce, the vast majority of which have never worked in the automobile manufacturing industry, Ford announced the introduction of a new training program called BlueOval Learning.

Ford describes BlueOval Learning as "a talent development program which will strengthen skills, provide teacher support and increase work-based learning experiences in West Tennessee."

As part of the BlueOval learning program, Ford will support K-12 schools and universities to expand existing STEM-related curricula and infrastructure and provide mechatronics training equipment and program development in Lauderdale, Haywood and Tipton counties.

Ford will collaborate with higher education institutions to provide training on advanced EV and battery manufacturing and partner with colleges and universities to develop work-based learning such as co-ops and internships.

Together with the State of Tennessee and ;the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology, Ford is developing the BlueOval City TCAT, a state-of-the-art training center, which will serve as a hub for education resources and best-in-class training programs.

BlueOval City: Building Ford's Electric Future

The $5.6 billion BlueOval City mega-complex will be Ford's largest, most costly facility yet, and integral to Ford's future success as the brand transitions to electric vehicles.

Ford is targeting a production run rate of 2 million EVs annually across the globe by late 2026. BlueOval City, at full capacity, will have the ability to pump out 500,000 electric trucks per year. Ford's biggest problem with its current electric truck, the F-150 Lightning, is the inability to make enough of them to satisfy demand.

The development of BlueOval City will also be Ford’s first carbon-neutral vehicle manufacturing and battery campus. The company's stated goal is to power all of its plants globally with renewable and carbon-free electricity by 2035.

“Project T3 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revolutionize America’s truck. We are melding 100 years of Ford truck know-how with world-class electric vehicle, software and aerodynamics talent. It will be a platform for endless innovation and capability,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO.

Trust The Truck

Ford is currently developing its second-generation electric truck, which will be produced at the BlueOval City assembly plant. The company said its new facility will offer production efficiencies that allow a 30% smaller general assembly footprint than its traditional manufacturing plants while simultaneously delivering higher production capacity.

The codename for its next-gen all-electric truck is Project T3, short for “Trust The Truck," a name that stuck after its development team made it their rallying cry. The team's mission was to create an electric truck people can trust in the digital age---one that’s fully updatable, constantly improving and supports towing, hauling, exportable power and whatever new innovations owners will want.

BlueOval City is also developing an on-site supplier park that will house an upfit center that will be capable of adding in many of Ford truck's most popular features, including robotic spray-in bed liners and integrated toolboxes.

Little is known about Ford's next generation of electric trucks, due to hit the market in 2025, but we do know at least one of them will be made in BlueOval City.

Battery Production

BlueOval City will also be a major source of electric vehicle battery supply for both Ford and LincolnEVs. Battery production for the on-site gigafactory will reach 43 GWh and is a joint venture with SK Innovation's SK On.

Ford and SK On are also building two additional battery plants in the neighboring state of Kentucky. Both plants will have the same 43 GWh output as BlueOval City in Tennessee, bringing the total capacity of the three plants to 129 GWh. The two Glendale, KY, facilities will combine to provide 5,000 new jobs to the area.

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Former Nikola CEO Ordered to Pay $165M in Damages

An arbitration panel determined Trevor Milton owes his former company for costs and damages it incurred due to his controversial actions.

Written by Simon Alvarez, Teslarati
Published Oct. 25, 2023

A regulatory filing from Nikolarevealed former CEO and founder Trevor Milton has been ordered to pay the company about $165 million in damages. The update appears to have been appreciated by investors, as NKLA stock ended the day up 8.9%.
 
Nikola said an arbitration panel in New York determined Oct. 20 the company was due the funds for costs and damages it incurred due to its previous CEO’s controversial actions.

“[Nikola] had sought reimbursement from its founder and former executive chairman for costs and damages arising from actions that were the subject of government and regulatory investigations, including the December 2021 SEC settlement and associated civil penalty. The company intends to file with the arbitration panel an application to recover attorneys’ fees related to the matter,” the filing read.
 
As noted in a CNBC report, Nikola agreed in December 2021 to pay a fine of $125 million to the SEC to settle allegations the company defrauded investors about its products, business prospects and technology. Nikola is also looking to secure reimbursement for its attorney fees.

Prior to his controversial resignation from Nikola in September 2020, Milton was considered by media outlets one of the up-and-coming leaders in the sustainable transport sector.
 
Milton’s unraveling was triggered by an expose from Hindenburg Research, which accused Nikola of making false statements about its projects, like the Nikola One. Milton was found guilty in federal court in 2022 of three counts of fraud. His sentencing is expected to be held Nov. 28.

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Francis Energy Awarded Funds for EV Stations in IL

PublishedJune 6, 2023

Francis Energy, owner of the fourth-largest EV fast-charging network in the country, announced June 5 it has been awarded grant funds by the Illinois EPA to build and operate three new charging stations in high-traffic areas along the state’s highways, in Beach Park, Troy and LeRoy.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the state of Illinois to build safe, convenient, reliable and affordable public fast-charging infrastructure that will give EV drivers peace of mind as they travel across the state,” said Francis founder and CEO David Jankowsky. “Our comprehensive statewide network in Oklahoma is the model we are using to expand across the country. With these awards, we are delighted that Illinois becomes our eighth state in that effort. This is a proud moment for Francis.”

Added Jason Pitcock, head of government relations for Francis Energy, “We appreciate the state’s leadership in the transition to electric mobility and we look forward to upcoming funding opportunities to grow the Francis network throughout Illinois.”

Source: Francis Energy, LLC

Temperatures in the region have reached negative double digits.

GA Legislative Study Committee Endorses Pilot Mileage Tax Program

Written by T.A. DeFeo, The Center Square
Published Jan. 11, 2023

The Joint Study Committee on the Electrification of Transportation has endorsed the Georgia Department of Transportation’s pilot program taxing motorists based on vehicle miles traveled.

Charging a mileage tax would recoup what state leaders see as a potential loss in revenue via the gas tax. Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, suspended the gas tax to help Georgians counter rising inflation.

So far, the state hasn’t seen much of an impact from not collecting the gas tax, which typically totals about $170 million per month. The state has seen its other revenues increase and has turned to federal handouts for various initiatives, such as grants to increase broadband across the state.

In the report, the committee said it supports enforcing a "fair methodology to replace the loss in revenue from motor fuel taxes" and recommends legislative action requiring the Georgia Department of Transportation to determine a "fair road usage charge for all EVs operating in Georgia."

"The Study Committee recommends that any legislative action taken to recoup the shortfall in the collection of the gas tax be carefully constructed so that emerging technology and fuel sources can easily be incorporated into a formula or process," the committee wrote in its final report.

Fees "such as road usage charges or vehicle miles traveled should be comparable to the fuel tax paid by an equivalent conventional vehicle," the committee concluded.

In a statement, state Sen. Steve Gooch, R-Dahlonega, said the "report will be used as a reference for potential legislation to be introduced in the future and grant the General Assembly the knowledge it needs to make informed decisions on the future of electric vehicles in our state."

The report includes several proposed EV charging, permitting, training, and planning recommendations.

"The market for electric vehicles continues to expand both across the state and nation," state Rep. Rick Jasperse, R-Jasper, said in a statement. "In order for Georgia to capitalize on the potential electric transportation can bring to our freight and logistics industry, we need to ensure we have the proper infrastructure in place to support expected demand."

GDOT officials said the agency would continue to work with stakeholders and the Eastern Transportation Coalition, a partnership of 17 states and the District of Columbia, on a mileage-based user fee pilot program.

"GDOT respects the report of the Committee and will work with the House and Senate as they consider any legislative implementation," the agency told The Center Square in a statement.

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Gas-Powered Cars Cheaper to Fuel than Electric in Late 2022

PublishedJan. 25, 2023

2022’s final quarter brought relief at the pump for drivers of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as the cost to drive 100 miles dropped by more than $2.

With the cost for electricity also trending upward during the year, mid-priced ICE cars became more economical to fuel than their EV counterparts for the first time in 18 months, according to research from Anderson Economic Group (AEG).

“The run-up in gas prices made EVs look like a bargain during much of 2021 and 2022,” said AEG’s Patrick Anderson. “With electric prices going up and gas prices declining, drivers of traditional ICE vehicles saved a little bit of money in the last quarter of 2022.”

In Q4 2022, typical mid-priced ICE car drivers paid about $11.29 to fuel their vehicles for 100 miles of driving. That cost was around $0.31 cheaper than the amount paid by mid-priced EV drivers charging mostly at home, and more than $3 less than the cost borne by comparable EV drivers charging commercially.

Drivers of luxury EVs continued to a fueling cost advantage, regardless of charging method.

Findings by Vehicle Type

Mid-priced vehicles: In this market segment, fueling ICE vehicles was more economical than comparable EVs in the fourth quarter, regardless of charging primarily at home or commercially.

Luxury cars: Drivers of high-end EVs still enjoyed a significant fueling cost advantage, but the gap narrowed in Q4. Assuming mostly home charging, the cost benefit to fuel a luxury EV vs. a luxury ICE car dropped from $11.20 per 100 miles to $7.56.

Pickup trucks, entry-priced cars: ICE vehicles are still the only widely available options in these two segments.

Approach

Anderson Economic Group calculates all four categories of costs for fueling EVs and ICE vehicles across benchmarks representing real-world U.S. driving conditions, including:

• The cost of underlying energy (gas, diesel, electric)
• State excise taxes charged for road maintenance
• The cost to operate a pump or charger
• The cost to drive to a fueling station (deadhead miles)

All use cases reflect 12,000 miles per year, with the cost of residential charging equipment amortized over five years. Calculations are based on energy prices and taxes in the state of Michigan. Benchmarks for ICE vehicle drivers assume the use of commercial gas stations. For EV drivers, AEG considers both drivers who routinely charge at home and those who rely primarily on commercial chargers.

Source: AEG