Ford Backs Away From Electric Cars

[TrainTrac]

I think this is a "bold move" on Ford's part. I don't think the electric cars will sell that well, even with massive taxpayer subsidies.

Even As The Government Invests Billions, Ford Backs Away From Electric Cars



Rob Port March 5, 2011



The federal government, under President Obama, has invested tens of billions into subsidizing the push for electric cars, and President Obama himself has called for 1 million electric cars to be on the road in five years.



But at the rate those cars are selling right now for Chevrolet, it will take centuries to get that many electric cars on the road and now one of Americas domestic car makers is backing away from them.



Because while the government is free to squander billions on a pipe dream, the folks at Ford have a duty to their stockholders and employees to manufacture cars people actually want to buy so that they can turn a profit.

Ford Motor Co. Chairman William Ford said Thursday that the auto maker is hedging its bets when it comes to electric car technology, noting uncertain demand for electric cars and other technologies could yet prove viable.



An electric version of Fords Focus model is expected next year. The car will follow the releases of electric models from General Motors Co. and Nissan Motor Co.



Electric is a focus of investment, Mr. Ford said during an appearance at The Wall Street Journals ECO:nomics Conference in Santa Barbara, Calif. But he added that, We still dont know what the winning technology is going to be. We're continuing to invest in hydrogen, were continuing to invest in bio-fuels.



Mr. Ford said that the company has no certainty that an electric grid will be developed that is capable of supporting droves of electric vehicles on the roads. Prior to the Model T, a third of all vehicles in this country were electric this isn't a new technology, said Mr. Ford.



The reason it died away was the ubiquity of charging, Mr. Ford said of electric car technology, adding that today, We have the same issue.

I have nothing against electric cars per se. There may be some applications in which theyre practical and work well. And one day we may see some evolution in technology that makes them useful on a broad scale.



But right now, even under optimal conditions, their range is just a few hundred miles (at best) between charges that take hours. They're small, and in colder climates the performance of the batteries that run them will deteriorate quickly.



Plus, they're horribly expensive. You can buy more car for less money by buying a gas-powered vehicle, and its more practical as well.



Ford gets it. For a lot of good reasons, Americans really don't want electric cars. The government should stop squandering our tax dollars on trying to shove them down our throats.



Source: <A HREF="http://sayanythingblog.com/entry/even-as-the-government-invests-billions-ford-backs-away-from-electric-cars/">Even As The Government Invests Billions, Ford Backs Away From Electric Cars</A>

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[Randy Miller]

:supercool:

 

[Mrlunchbox]

+1 :supercool:

 

[Doctor CAD]

Come on...buy electric cars, people.



My job in the electrical distribution field depends on it.



Agreed, electric cars only transfer the load to the grid, not eliminate a dependancy on power. The grid is already strained.





Now, if we can ever get a fuel cell to work well...

 

[Rodney Leary]

I disagree that "Americans dont want electric cars". I think we want them, and would buy them. If a more economical version could be purchased... because the cost is too high for all models right now.



In my opinion an electric car is a good idea for a secondary localized vehicle, however, due to high cost it doesn't lend itself well to families looking for one. Hybrids are better options right now.

 

[gary s]

imo, not a good move.

ford will be in the back of the race trying to catch up.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

I think it is a smart financial move.



Let other spend the HUGE money to get these cars to the market. Then,,,, using the available technology build the cars..

 

[Julio R]

i agree good financial move on fords part they will still spend the $$ to research it and once it gets cheap they may do something

 

[Larry Gamble]

I bet it is a good move. They will get to benefit from the maturing of the technology and capitalize on the more promising advances.



Right now, 70 miles or so from a charge is pretty lame.

 

[TrainTrac]

Right now, 70 miles or so from a charge is pretty lame.

And apparently, even less in colder weather/climates:

Sweater, gloves required when driving Volt in cold: Magazine



John LeBlanc

Special to the Star





The potential popularity of electric vehicles has always been tempered in cold climates like here in Canada because of the concerns that freezing temperatures will reduce the range of an EVs batteries.



And now a long-tem test report of the Chevrolet Volt, in the U.S. magazine Motor Trend, has confirmed that fear and also suggests you may have to keep your winter clothes on while driving the plug-in electric hybrid during colder days.



The magazine found that the Volt uses up a considerable amount of battery range to heat up its cabin on colder days, reducing its range to well below 30 miles (48 kms) before draining the battery and reverting to its gas generator to recharge the batteries and power its electric motor much lower than the optimal 64 km estimate.



Based on using an aftermarket internal thermometer, the magazine also found that the Volts climate control system does more than just portion out the air temperature to what is set on the climate control.



Using an external thermometer, the Volts heater was set to 24 degrees Celsius, but the cabin temperature was closer to 18C. However, the footwell temperature reached about 28.4C.



Apparently, a warm footwell plus heated seats is Chevrolets strategy to make Volt drivers feel warm.



The result led to the review calling the Chevy EV as a sweater and gloves commuter car for northern-tier Volt owners.

I've read other articles that also discussed the downfalls of electric cars in cold weather.

 

[James Sniezek]

:banana: :supercool:

 

[EddieS'04]

TT, sounds to me if you get stranded in a blizzard. You better hope the guy next to you lets you in his SUV......:rofl:

 

[Jim Johnson]

That's <I>two</I> smart decisions that Ford has made: not accepting the taxpayer-funded bailout and backing away from electric cars. :supercool: