To pick up the pace in developing efficient electric cars, Ford has announced that is has entered into a partnership with battery producer Johnson Controls-Saft to develop advanced lithium-ion battery system to power Ford’s first commercial plug-in hybrid (PHEV). At the same time, Ford said seven regional electric utility partners are joining Ford and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to conduct real-world tests on an expanding fleet of Ford Escape PHEVs.
The addition of seven utility partners to the test program aims to speed up the commercialization of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The partnerships will help Ford accelerate its electrification strategy, including bringing a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) van to market in 2010 for commercial use, a small BEV sedan developed jointly with Magna International by 2011 and a PHEV by 2012.
(Source) Ford
Tags: battery producer, battery system, commercialization, electric car, electric cars, electric vehicle, electrification, ford escape, hybrid electric vehicles, johnson controls, lithium ion battery, plug in hybrid phev, utility partners