Ford is working on a line-up of electric cars which will be marketed under a sub-brand called Model E, according to numerous online reports. This range of new Fords will include fully-electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrids and models are expected to include a compact SUV and Focus-based saloon. The latter could serve as a rival to the upcoming Tesla Model 3. Ford is expected to start production of Model E cars in 2019.
Previously, Ford has offered an electric version of its Focus hatchback but this has never sold in substantial numbers and will reportedly be replaced next year. The new Model E line-up should offer far greater variation and performance figures that can match up to the standards of what other electric cars are capable of nowadays. Whereas the Focus Electric has a travel range of 76 miles, the upcoming, fully-electric Tesla Model 3 has a range of around 200 miles.
It emerged a couple of years ago that Tesla wanted to call its new, upcoming compact saloon the Model E, but Ford blocked the move as they were determined to secure the name first. Tesla ultimately backed down and that's what led them to go with the name Model 3 instead. It has now become clear how Ford plans to utilise the Model E name it fought for - and it ties in closely with reports from last year that the manufacturer wants to release 13 electric vehicles by 2020. How many of these vehicles will reach the UK, however, depends on how many of them are marketed towards Europe.
The reports on Ford's new Model E cars emerged not long after the company announced it would begin mass-producing fully autonomous self-driving vehicles for mass markets by 2021. These self-driving cars may not only be capable of completing routes without driver input, but most of them could also turn out to be hybrid or fully-electric vehicles too.
