FORD TRUCKS PLUGS INTO AN ELECTRIC FUTURE AT HANNOVER

After claiming the International Truck of the Year Award at the  Hannover Truck Show in 2018 with its  surprise package F-MAX,  Ford Trucks returned to  the IAA Transportation in Hannover to showcase its latest efforts on its way to achieving zero emission transport.

The company previously signed ACEA’s Declaration of Transition to Zero Emission Freight Transportation and recently announced its aim to sell only zero-emission heavy commercial vehicles by 2040.

The Generation F movement, which includes 100 per cent electric, connected, and autonomous vehicle technologies, means according to  Ford Trucks, that  it  is now one step closer to its goals.

Ford Trucks is  the Blue Oval’s  only global brand for heavy commercial vehicles, and is based  in Turkey where its key manufacturing operation is located. It is also where Ford Transits sold here in Australia is built.

Unveiled its first all-new 100 our cent electric truck builds on its  experience and product development in heavy trucks manufacturing over more than half a century.

Ford Trucks presented its Generation F transformation  which includes a zero emission transport solutions roadmap and new specifications and features that will tha tis says  will ensure it maintains its position in production, design, and product development.

Ford Trucks Vice President Serhan Turfan  was that with the Generation F movement, 50 per cent of Ford Trucks sales in Europe will be zero-emission vehicles by 2030

“Ford Trucks’ next-generation, first 100 per cent electric truck,  was developed with the aim of being the road mate that cares about its customers and makes their businesses thrive, and stands out with advanced connectivity features and promises to be highly competitive in European markets with its attractive total cost of ownership,” said Turfan.

“As an innovative brand that listens to our customer’s needs, we focus our R&D to bring cutting edge next-generation technologies to the market,” he added.

“Our objective is mainly to help reduce operating costs and carbon emissions in road transport while increasing fleet productivity,” said Turfan.

“Strengthening our position in Europe is our top priority, by continuing to build on our success in our current markets, we plan to reach 50 countries  in Europe by 2024. and in line with the EU’s Green Deal and Ford’s global sustainability goals, we are taking a big step towards our 2040 zero emissions target by expanding into European markets with our electric trucks. In the short term, our target is to meet 50% of European sales as zero emission vehicles by 2030”

Ford  says its’ all-electric truck, with a payload of 18-26 tonnes, features excellent manoeuvrability and offers many benefits, including better monthly energy consumption compared to vehicles with internal combustion engines.

It says an example, that  energy costs will reduce by nearly half compared to current levels. Similarly it says maintenance costs are also likely to drop by two-thirds, because electric vehicles have fewer moving parts that require maintenance.

Many European countries also offer incentives for businesses to invest in electric vehicles and with all these factors impact favourably on the total cost of ownership. Ford Truck says its 100  per cent electric truck is forecast to offer a lower total cost of ownership over a four-year period compared to that of diesel vehicles without any incentives and supports.