DEARBORN, Mich. — Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday its future electric cars will “talk” to power grids across the country, part of an effort to drive interest in alternative-energy vehicles.
The nation’s second-largest automaker released details of a two-year collaboration with 10 utility companies as well as the Energy Department on the design of a system that will allow car owners to control when and where they charge vehicles.
Ford’s first battery electric vehicle, the Transit Connect van, will be available next year. A battery electric Ford Focus car will go on sale in 2011.
“This has to be easy for our customer,” said Ford chairman Bill Ford Jr. at a company roundtable on electrification efforts. “This can’t just be an interesting science experiment.”
Utilities say their grids already are ready to handle electric cars, although some drivers may need additional equipment installed in their garages, depending on the vehicle’s voltage requirement.
