Ford is taking a big step toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050. The American automaker announced that its Ford factory in Cologne, Germany, will be its first CO2-neutral production site in Europe.
The Ford factory, which has been operating since 1931, will undergo a major transformation to produce Ford's next-generation electric cars. Ford plans to invest $1.2 billion in the site, including a new battery assembly center and a state-of-the-art vehicle assembly hall.
The Ford factory will also switch to using 100% renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, by 2023. This will reduce the site's CO2 emissions by 75%, or about 140,000 tons annually. Ford will also implement other measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste.
The first electric car to roll off the Ford factory line will be a new model based on Volkswagen's modular electric platform (MEB), which is also used for the VW ID.4 and other EVs. Ford expects to start production of this model in 2023 and aims to sell more than 600,000 MEB-based vehicles in Europe over six years. Ford says that this new electric car will offer a compelling driving experience, a spacious interior, and a range of smart features and technologies. It will also be affordable and accessible to a wide range of customers.
Ford's decision to transform its Cologne factory is part of its larger strategy to electrify its entire European portfolio. The company announced earlier this year that it would offer only electric or plug-in hybrid versions of its passenger cars in Europe by mid-2026 and will go fully electric by 2030.
Ford also plans to invest more than $22 billion globally in electrification through 2025, which is nearly twice its previous commitment. The company says that electrification is good for the environment and its business and customers.
"Electrification is fundamental for Ford's future success in Europe," said Stuart Rowley, president of Ford of Europe. "We are moving from being an auto company to an auto and mobility company."
Ford is not the only automaker investing heavily in electrification and CO2-neutral production. Other major players, such as Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo, have also announced similar plans to reduce their environmental impact and meet the growing demand for electric cars.
According to the European Commission, electric cars are expected to account for more than 40% of new car sales in Europe by 2030. This is driven by stricter emission regulations, lower battery costs, improved charging infrastructure and changing consumer preferences.
As electric cars become more mainstream and affordable, Ford hopes its first CO2-neutral factory in Cologne will set an example for the rest of the industry and inspire more customers to make the switch.
"We are proud of our long history in Cologne, and we are excited about our future as an electric car manufacturer," said Gunnar Herrmann, chairman of Ford-Werke GmbH. "We are confident that our customers will love our new electric cars."
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