As noted in the article in the url below, we have made great progress in introducing EVs, and sales are increasing. The article also notes, however, that the overall effect will remain limited until we can ensure mainstream adoption of this technology. And that is only going to happen if the biggest selling makes and models are available as EVs. In the U.S., at least, this means a truck and, in particular, the Ford F-150 truck:
"As the top-selling model line in the U.S. for 40 years, Ford Motor Co.'s F-Series pickups hold special weight in the auto ecosystem. The lineup, led by the F-150, generates more than $40 billion in annual revenue. Only one other U.S. product—Apple Inc.'s iPhone—tops F-Series sales."
Thus, the strategic imperative of Ford offering an electric version of the F-150 and the estimated impact this launch is expected to have:
"Given this, Ford's decision to electrify the F-150 stands as one of the boldest strategic decisions in 21st century business. An electric F-150, more than any other vehicle, will persuade rural America to go green, leading the way for almost every automaker that finds itself challenged by the electric transition."
If nothing else, an electric F-150 will force all the other car manufacturers to compete in the EV space. In short, the U.S. needs an electric F-150 in order to achieve its environmental goals, which the article presents in a timeline:
- 2022 First deliveries of the F-150 Lightning are expected in April or May. Ford has 200,000 reservations.
- 2026 Date Ford set to reach annual EV production of 2 million.
- 2030 Goal leading automakers set for 40%-50% of new-vehicle sales to be electric. President Joe Biden's target is half.
- 2040 Sales of new gas-powered vehicles are set to end as Ford, GM, Mercedes, and others will sell only zero-emission cars.
- 2050 The U.S. government's goal for economy-wide net-zero emissions.
Take care
David
David Chandler
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How Ford's Electric F-150 Pickup Truck Will Cut Carbon Pollution
By Keith Naughton and Kyle Stock
April 9, 2022
Bloomberg Businessweek
