Ford announces $4.5bn investment in electric vehicles

The electric vehicle (EV) market has been taken up a gear, following an announcement by Ford that it is to invest $4.5bn in the technology.

The car manufacturer, which is one of the largest in the world, is to add a battery-electric SUV to its range by 2020, as part of a 13-strong line-up of electrified vehicles launching before the end of the decade. On the way next year is a new Focus Electric, which features all-new DC fast-charge capability delivering an 80 percent charge in an estimated 30 minutes and projected 100-mile range – an estimated two hours faster than today’s Focus Electric.

Ford joins the likes of Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Renault, Lexus and Chevrolet in committing to an EV offering, and according to Tim Payne, CEO of InstaVolt, it is yet further evidence of the strong momentum that is building in the electric vehicles market.

Tim commented: “We welcome the fantastic news from Ford that it is to commit so heavily in EV and sees the technology as on track to overtaking sales of fossil-fuels cars in the near future.” He continued: “Ford is just the latest in a long line of manufacturers to embrace EV and their actions again demonstrate the clear shift that is being made towards the electrification of transport systems across the global.”

Figures recently released by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that new car registrations and the adoption of electric vehicles is up 3.3% on 2015.

Tim added: “At InstaVolt our aim is to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions by making the UK an easier place to drive an electric vehicle. We’re working closely with businesses and local authorities across the UK to introduce EV charging infrastructure and support the take up of low carbon vehicles.”

InstaVolt provides rapid charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and is on track to introducing rapid charging points in more than 3,000 locations by 2020.

According to Government statistics, one of the biggest barriers that deters people from buying electric vehicles is the fear of not being able to recharge. InstaVolt aims to change this by introducing thousands of rapid charging points all over the country.

The company is working with local authorities, businesses and land owners across the UK to install the rapid charging points, which deliver a financial return for those who house them. Among the organisations embracing InstaVolt’s unique solution is Mid Devon Council, which is in the process of installing several charging points across its land.

InstaVolt is able to install its charging points almost anywhere, including at the roadside and in supermarket car parks. It provides a full service, from design and installation to maintenance and monitoring.

Unlike many other providers, InstaVolt’s ‘open charger’ model allows anyone to use its charging points on a pay-as-you-go basis. The 50kW rapid charging units can provide an 80% charge in just 30 minutes and are listed on popular website, zap-map.com, so they are easy to locate.