Greentech Lead U.S: GE announced it will purchase 2,000
C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids — Ford’s largest-ever plug-in electrified vehicle
fleet sale– which is also touted as America’s most fuel-efficient plug-in
hybrid.
The development is part of GE’s commitment to convert
half of its global fleet to alternative fuel vehicles. The addition of the Ford
vehicles brings the number of alternative fuel vehicles in GE’s fleet to more
than 5,000 in its goal of 25,000 vehicles.
C-MAX Energi features a 108 MPGe city EPA rating and a
620-mile single-tank range that will benefit GE’s sales and service
professionals — many who drive more mileage daily than average commuters
Ford will promote GE’s WattStation charging station
and CNG in a Box natural gas fueling station with its commercial buyers.
Ford will also supply new alternative fuel vehicles for use at GE’s Vehicle
Innovation Center
“Ford is launching six new electrified vehicles — a
big bet that fuel prices will continue rising and lead to more demand for
advanced fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Ken Czubay, Ford vice
president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.
The two companies will also work with researchers
from Georgia Institute of Technology to study GE employee driving and
charging habits, with the goal of improving all-electric driving and charging
performance. Researchers will use Ford’s MyFord Mobile app — with real-time
battery charge status and value charging that automatically recharges at lower-cost,
off-peak electricity rates.
Study findings will be shared with commercial customers
to provide insights and help facilitate deployment of electric vehicles in
their own fleets amid a growing electric vehicle infrastructure that now
includes more than 10,000 public charging stations across the country.