2011
Ford Focus Electric, the company’s first-ever all-electric passenger car, makes its debut.
2010
The Transit Connect BEV, Ford's first commercial electric vehicle built in collaboration with Smith Electric Vehicles debuts in the U.S. as part of the company’s One Ford global product vision.
2009
The Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid debut.
2004
The Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid debut. They are the first hybrid electric production vehicles from Ford Motor Company.
2001 – 2002
The TH!NK City debuts. It is a compact two-seat vehicle constructed of recyclable thermoplastic and part of a 400-unit pilot programme. The City vehicles are powered by nickel cadmium batteries and have a top speed of 89 km/h, with a 64-80 km range on a full charge.
The TH!NK Neighbor debuts. It is a two- or four-seat personal mobility vehicle designed for short commutes around closed communities, industrial sites and private resorts. A total of 7200 vehicles are produced. The Neighbor vehicles are powered by lead-acid batteries and have a top speed of 40 km/h and a 32-48 km range on a full charge.
1998 – 2000
Through the Ranger EV/Postal Programme, the Ford Ranger becomes the most widely distributed commercial electric vehicle at the time. Most of the 2000 vehicles produced are sold or leased to utility companies and government agencies. The Ranger EV/Postal vehicles run on lead-acid and nickel metal hydride batteries. The maximum speed is 121 km/h and range is 48-113 km on a full charge.
Ford Research & Advanced Engineering Europe develops the first full electric vehicle equipped with a lithium-ion battery. The two demonstrators are based on a Ka and don’t compromise interior space. Under real-world conditions, the e-Ka provides a range of 150 km and a top speed of 130 km/h. The e-Ka includes a portfolio of advanced technologies, such as several lightweight materials and an Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) system.
1992 – 1993
The Ecostar, based on Ford’s European Escort, debuts. It is a two-seat panel van, and is used in an 84-vehicle inner city fleet pilot programme. The constant on-off, stop-and-go driving that takes place on city streets provides the best testing ground for the sodium-sulphur battery. The Ecostar panel van has a top speed of 113 km/h and a maximum range of 161 km on a full charge.
1991
The Connecta, an electric vehicle concept, is developed. It features a sodium-sulphur battery that can be recharged by normal household current or special 220-volt outlets.
1988
The ETX-II research vehicle is developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy. It is first powered by a lead-acid battery and then by a sodium-sulphur battery. The ETX-II has a top speed of 105 km/h and a 161 km driving range on a full charge.
1979 – 1980
Ford’s electric car research and development programme and Gould Inc. develop a Ford Fiesta experimental vehicle with a nickel-zinc battery. The top speed is 105 km/h and the maximum range is 161 km at steady driving speeds on a full charge.
1966 – 1967
Ford Research Staff study the possibilities of a small electric city car – the result is the Comuta experimental prototype. The Comuta is equipped with four lead acid batteries connected in series to give 48 volts. It has a top speed of 40 km/h and a maximum range of 64 km on a full charge.
1913 – 1914
Henry Ford and Thomas Edison develop at least two experimental electric vehicles together; Contrary to popular belief, Ford did not produce an electric version of the Model T.
