Ford is using the Frankfurt Motor Show to underline its commitment to electric motoring, saying that half of all the cars it sells will be either fully electric or hybrid by the end of 2022.
Now, actual new metal was rather conspicuous by its absence on the Ford stand - all the company has to show off at the show are the Kuga hybrid and plug-in hybrid models that we've already seen, and the Puma mild hybrid that ditto.
One million electric Fords by 2022
Nonetheless, Ford says that the Frankfurt show is the point where it affirms its commitment to electric motoring. "With electrification fast becoming the mainstream, we are substantially increasing the number of electrified models and powertrain options for our customers to choose from to suit their needs," said Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe. "By making it easier than ever to seamlessly shift into an electrified vehicle, we expect the majority of our passenger vehicle sales to be electrified by the end of 2022." Rowley says that Ford aims to sell one million electric or electrified cars by 2022.
Kuga, Puma, Transit, and Explorer hybrids
So, what's on the stand at Frankfurt? Well, first up is the new Kuga, which will arrive in Ireland towards the end of the year. That comes, uniquely in the segment, in mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and just regular hybrid forms.
Ford is also showing the new Explorer hybrid larger SUV at Frankfurt, but that's unlikely (sadly) to make it to Ireland, at least for now. A big, chunky, seven-seat SUV, it's very much an American 4x4, but at least it does indeed come as a hybrid now.
Of rather more importance on this side of the Atlantic is the new Transit Tourneo plug-in hybrid, which has seats for eight.
Finally, there's the Puma (a car about which we're becoming more and more excited, if we're honest) which uses a mild-hybrid version of the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine, and the Mondeo Hybrid Estate, which is already on sale.
600km range for electric crossover
Arriving next year will be the new all-electric high-performance crossover, said to be inspired by the Mustang, and potentially called Mach-E. (a call-back to the seventies Mustang Mach 1). Ford is targeting a WLTP-certified 600km one-charger range for that one.
"There is no 'one-size-fits-all' solution when it comes to electrification - every customer's circumstances and travel needs are different," said Joerg Beyer, executive director, Engineering, Ford of Europe. "Our strategy is to pair the right electrified powertrain option to the right vehicle, helping our customers make their electrified vehicle experience easy and enjoyable."
As for keeping the cars charged, Ford has already partnered up with Centrica (the owners of Bord Gais) in Ireland to provide home charging points to customers, and special tariffs for public charging points. "Our partnerships with leading energy suppliers including Centrica allow us to offer a one-stop shop for charging, including supply, installation, and special green energy tariffs for our fast charging wall box," said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing Sales & Service, Ford of Europe.
There will also be new smartphone apps for Ford owners which will allow them to find and pay for public charging, and monitor the status of their car as it charges. Ford is also part of the IONITY group, which has committed to installing ultra-rapid public charging points across Europe.
There will also be a Go Electric live experience, which debuts in Frankfurt before heading out on a European tour. This uses virtual reality and simulators to start talking to potential customers about the future of electric motoring, and give them a taster of battery driving.