Ford bucks the trend on 200-mile range EVs

Despite the fact that General Motors, Tesla, and Nissan are all producing electric vehicles (EVs) with a 200-mile electric range, Ford has confirmed it has no plans to do so and is happy with the 100-mile range that has been confirmed for the new Ford Focus coming out later this year. Kevin Layden, Ford's director of electrification programs and engineering stated last week that 100 miles is enough to cover the daily commute of most drivers, and the lower range will help keep the vehicle lower in weight and cost, as lower range means a smaller battery pack. Worth remembering is our report from last week, which referenced a recent survey by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL): this showed that half of American auto buyers would not consider an electric vehicle with a range less than 300 miles.

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. has no immediate plans to chase General Motors, Nissan and Tesla in the electric car range race.

Kevin Layden, Ford's director of electrification programs and engineering, said the 100-mile range coming this fall in the 2017 Focus Electric -- up from the 2016 model's 76 miles -- is enough distance to cover the daily commute of most drivers.

Speaking on the sidelines of the SAE World Congress last week here, Layden said keeping the car's range at 100 miles will help rein in weight and cost. The lower range enables the use of a smaller, lighter and less expensive battery pack, Layden said.

But during a panel discussion last week on the future of electric cars, several speakers said a range of at least 200 miles is needed to alleviate consumers' range anxiety about battery-powered cars.

"I think right now with the launch of the Focus Electric at 100 miles, it is going to satisfy a big chunk of the population," said Layden. "It's going to be really affordable and a step up from where we are now."

This fall, GM will launch the Chevrolet Bolt hatchback, a compact electric car that GM says will go at least 200 miles on a single charge, while Tesla is promising its Model 3 compact sedan will be able to drive 215 miles on a charge. And Nissan plans to launch a redesigned Leaf in 2018 with a promised 200-mile range.

In December, Ford committed $4.5 billion to rejuvenate its electrified vehicle lineup.