By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com
July 10, 2007
The Ford Motor Company is predicting it will offer plug-in hybrids for sale in its new car showrooms sometime in the next five to 10 years.
"Within five to 10 years we will start to see this technology in our hands," CEO Alan Mulally said on the sidelines of a press event to announce an alliance between Ford and Southern California Edison to test 20 rechargeable electric vehicles.
The Ford plug-in depends upon advances in lithium ion battery technology that will allow plug-in owners to charge the car using regular household electrical outlets.
The alliance between the Ford and Souther California Edison is a first of its kind. It agreement calls for Ford to provide 20 model year 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid sport utility vehicles configured to work as plug-ins by 2009. The first will be delivered by the end of this year.
Ford will work with an unnamed battery company to make the plug-ins for the test.
Environmental advocates, particularly in California, have been pressing automakers to roll out plug-in vehicles capable of running solely on electricity for short distances and recharging at a standard electric outlet.
Ford will initially work exclusively with Southern California Electric to develop the testing procedures, but did not rule out working with other partners in the future. And Bryson said SCE will work with other automakers.
