Ford Australia remains tight-lipped on electric future

Ford Australia is holding back on creating concrete targets to introduce electric vehicles locally.

At today's reveal of the new E-Transit, Ford's first electrified offering to come here, CEO and President of Ford Australia and New Zealand Andrew Birkic remained coy when asked about the company's targets to bring EVs to the local market.

While it was confirmed at least five electrified vehicles will be launched in Australia by 2024 – including the E-Transit and Escape PHEV – Birkic wouldn't provide details around whether the remaining three vehicles will be fully-electric or hybrid.

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The E-Transit will launch in mid-2022

Any aspirations of the F-150 Lightning electric pick-up truck coming to Australia were quickly dismissed, given the yet-to-be-launched vehicle is available in left-hand drive only.

Despite the Mustang Mach E being available overseas in right-hand drive, Birkic said there was no possibility of it coming to Australia due to being sold out globally – with no plans to bring it to the local market when demand eases.

Birkic also said the potential introduction of an electric Ranger ute is currently off his radar, even though the current-generation, Australian-developed Ranger is the best-selling 4x4 in Australia and second overall to the Toyota HiLux.

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Escape PHEV will be one of five electrified cars in Australia by 2024

Australia's lack of a federal emissions standard has previously been a sore point for Ford, with global CEO Jim Farley pointing to it as a reason why the company hasn't announced a total move to electric vehicles, while Birkic believes the local arm needs to work with the Government to develop stronger policies to incentivise customers.

"The Government has a role to play in terms of both consumer adoption and infrastructure," said Birkic.

"Norway is a leader for EV policy, with high adoption through financial incentives as well as benefits with reduced registration and toll costs, plus bus lane access in some areas.

"We're keen to work with local government, industry and industry bodies to help develop policy in Australia."

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Ford has ruled out the Mustang Mach E coming to Australia

In terms of its global operations, Ford is throwing a significant amount of capital at its move towards electrification, with a US$30billion (AU$41.24bn) investment in technology being spearheaded by the new US$11.4bn (AU$15.7bn) Blue Oval City 'mega campus’ for the production of electric vehicles.

The investment comes alongside a commitment for at least 40 to 50 per cent of Ford's production volume to come from EVs by 2030, helping it to reach its wider goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.