Ford betting big on electric cars

[Rune]

http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/15/ford-underscores-its-love-of-electric-cars-spends-135-million/

Ford really, really wants you to know that it's big on electric cars. Really. To that end, it's putting $135 million where its mouth is as part of the design and production for the electrified vehicles rolling out to dealer lots this year, such as the Focus Electric. A new research building in Dearborn is also being renamed as the Advanced Electrification Center to emphasize the uniform dedication to EVs and hybrids among the 1,000 researchers that call the Center their home away from home. We already know that the company plans to triple its manufacturing capacity to make 100,000 of the cars a year by 2013, but many of the supporting aspects are getting their own lift, Ford adds: it's hiring more engineers and doubling its battery testing capacity. The checklist of improvements you'll find after the break reflects some braggadocio on Ford's part, especially while it tries to stretch its jobs claims, but it's good news all the same. If the expansion keeps the likes of GM and Tesla on their toes, drivers hopefully win as a whole.

 

[tinfoil]

Cool. Hope they solve the fire problems that have been an issue for the volt and karma

 

[Howey]

Cool. Hope they solve the fire problems that have been an issue for the volt and karma

They're using the same battery.

 

[Rune]

Cool. Hope they solve the fire problems that have been an issue for the volt and karma

Being on fire sucks. That's why I want an all electric car. No gas.

 

[Cancel 2018. 3]

Being on fire sucks. That's why I want an all electric car. No gas.

as if there is no fire with electricity.....

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

If they can make on like my current Vic, I'd buy one. Doubt it'll happen, but I'll be optimistic.

 

[Cancel 2018. 3]

If they can make on like my current Vic, I'd buy one. Doubt it'll happen, but I'll be optimistic.

with the right infrastructure they can. it won't have the engine rumble...but it is possible.

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

with the right infrastructure they can. it won't have the engine rumble...but it is possible.

I hope so. They've yet to repeat the formula for success though.

 

[Cancel 2018. 3]

I hope so. They've yet to repeat the formula for success though.

repeat? they've never built the infrastructure for it. your username is quite apt. oil won. it was cheaper, they had more money and tesla lost. though he was a genius.

even today, electric will cars will lose, unless you build the infrastructure first. this isn't as easy as oil based autos. oil was easy to produce and bring to market back then. today, it still is, compared to getting an electric infrastructure built like we have gas stations.

imo....the problems are many. some are - money....the oil companies will not give up that easy. setting up an electric grid to power our nations cars is going to require a much larger grid than we have now. i've heard and read the arguments that the cars will mostly be powered at night, when energy consumption is low, however, that is short sighted. go out on any given night in a large city and you will cars all over the road burning oil.

additionally, we need to realize that electric power comes from somewhere. some energy source. liberals, generally do not like nuclear power, water generated power (dams) and so forth. conservatives and liberals seem to dislike wind energy.

how about using natural gas for our vehicles?

 

[Billy the Great Khan]

repeat? they've never built the infrastructure for it. your username is quite apt. oil won. it was cheaper, they had more money and tesla lost. though he was a genius.

even today, electric will cars will lose, unless you build the infrastructure first. this isn't as easy as oil based autos. oil was easy to produce and bring to market back then. today, it still is, compared to getting an electric infrastructure built like we have gas stations.

imo....the problems are many. some are - money....the oil companies will not give up that easy. setting up an electric grid to power our nations cars is going to require a much larger grid than we have now. i've heard and read the arguments that the cars will mostly be powered at night, when energy consumption is low, however, that is short sighted. go out on any given night in a large city and you will cars all over the road burning oil.

additionally, we need to realize that electric power comes from somewhere. some energy source. liberals, generally do not like nuclear power, water generated power (dams) and so forth. conservatives and liberals seem to dislike wind energy.

how about using natural gas for our vehicles?

I meant making a reliable 300,000 mile electric vehicle that can seat 6 and is easy to maintain. But as far as NG for cars go it is a poor choice. Mileage is significantly reduced and they are less safe due to the high pressure storage required. The NG components also wear out much quicker.