Ford Motors will be collaborating with GE after announcing the company will be purchasing over 2,000 Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid models in an effort to convert half of its global fleet to alternative fuel vehicles.
After the purchase is completed, GE will have over 5,000 electric models, bringing them closer to their 25,000 vehicle goal which they hope to accomplish within the next decade.
"Ford is launching six new electrified vehicles - a big bet that fuel prices will continue rising and lead to more demand for advanced fuel-efficient vehicles," says Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service in the company's press release. "We are pleased to partner with GE, a company that is charting a similar course, to promote advanced technology and energy savings."
The new C-Max Energi is advertised by the company as the "most fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid in America" with an EPA estimated 108 miles- per gallon city rating and 100 MPG combined rating. With a base price of $29,995, the car is also one of the most affordable electric cars available to date.
Ford currently has over 10,000 public charging stations around the country to help ease customer worries that if they purchase an electric vehicle they may get stranded while traveling. The company also offers over five more electric cars including the Fusion Hybrid, Focus Electric, and Fusion plug-in hybrid.
The two companies have joined forces with researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology to study GE employee charging and driving habits. The goal of the study is to improve all-electric charging and driving performance in Ford vehicles according to the press release.
The researchers will use Ford's MyFord Mobile app to monitor charging habits with its real-time battery charge status and value charging that automatically recharges.
Once the research and studies are completed, results will be shared with Ford customers to provide insights and to help sell more electronic Ford cars.
"Understanding driving and charging habits is key to advancing vehicle and charging infrastructure," says Professor Bert Bras of the Sustainable Design & Manufacturing laboratory at Georgia Tech in the press release. "Through access to vehicle data, we can accelerate research and development of new technologies to further improve efficiency, driver satisfaction and environmental benefits."
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