Ford expects to begin building the electric Explorer in June, second EV by the end of 2024
Ford is gearing up to build the first electric Explorer models this summer. The first Ford Explorer EVs are now expected to reach customers in August. Ford also expects to begin production of its second EV by the end of 2024.
After delaying the launch of its all-electric Explorer, Ford wants to begin production in June. That’s about eight months later than expected.
Ford unveiled the electric version of its best-selling SUV in Europe last March. The electric SUV is the first EV spawned from a partnership with Volkswagen in 2020 to use its MEB platform. Ford says the electric Explorer “combines German engineering with striking American style.”
The Explorer will be the first EV built at Ford’s upgraded Cologne factory. Ford invested about $2 billion to upgrade the facility to build electric vehicles.
Despite the hype, Ford delayed the start of production by about eight months. Cologne-based media Kölnische Rundschau first reported the news last summer.
Ford said production would begin at the end of 2023, with sales opening in early 2024. However, the automaker pushed it back due to a new battery standard.
Ford plans electric Explorer, second EV production
After a delay of over half a year, Ford wants to begin building the Explorer EV in June, according to German newspaper Automobilwoche.
A company spokesperson confirmed that the first deliveries are now scheduled for August in Cologne Tuesday.
Series production of Ford’s second EV based on VW’s platform is planned by the end of 2024. Fords European headquarters is in Cologne, where it develops and produces vehicles.
The electric Ford Explorer is a “road-trip ready” mid-size SUV. It includes a massive movable touchscreen, 470 liters of storage, and Ford’s advanced driver assist.
It will be available in Europe in two trims – the Explorer and Explorer Premium. The base trim is expected to start under $50,000 (€45,000).
The new EVs are part of Ford’s plan to go all-electric in Europe by 2035. Ford’s lineup will include nine EVs. The electric Explorer is expected to play a big role in Ford’s goal to sell 600,000 EVs annually in Europe by 2026.
Electrek’s Take
Ford delaying EV production in Europe will likely set it further behind. The automaker is already pushing back around $12 billion in EV spending in the US.
Although it’s only eight months, this is a critical time for automakers to transition their supply chains and prepare for an electric future. More importantly, rivals are launching new models at a record pace.
By the time the electric Explorer begins rolling out, rivals like Tesla, VW, and Chinese automakers like BYD will have already ramped up output.
The electric Explorer, at $50,000 (€45,000) may not seem like a great deal compared to competitors in another six months.
BYD already announced it was slashing prices on its electric SUV, the Atto 3, by up to 15% in Germany. Will Ford be able to compete?
For those in the US, Ford confirmed it will launch an electric three-row SUV. The SUV is designed for road trips with a spaceous interior and up to 350 miles range. Ford already ruled out an electric Expedition, suggesting this will be the Explorer EV we’ve been waiting for.
Ford said the electric SUV will be affordable, but didn’t give specifics on pricing. The automaker is also launching its next-gen electric pickup in the US, called the T3 project. Ford’s CEO Jim Farley described it as being “like the Millennium Falcon – with a back porch attached.” Perhaps like Tesla’s Cybertruck?
We’ll have to wait and see with Ford’s next-gen EV platform due out in 2025. Stay tuned for the latest on Ford’s transition to EVs.
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The US Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $1.2 billion in financing to replace Puerto Rico’s fossil fuel plants with solar and battery storage through 2032.
The DOE’s Loan Programs Office announced two conditional commitments and one loan closing to power producers in Puerto Rico. Each supports a project contracted with the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority. The announcements include:
- The closing of a $584.5 million loan guarantee to subsidiaries of Convergent Energy to finance a 100 MW solar farm with a 55 MW (55 MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS) in the municipality of Coamo and BESS installations in the municipalities of Caguas (25MW/100MWh), Peñuelas (100MW/400MWh), and Ponce (up to 100MW/400MWh)
- A conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $133.6 million to a subsidiary of Infinigen for a 32.1 MW solar farm with an integrated 14.45 MW (4.76 MWh) BESS, and a co-located standalone 50 MW (200 MWh) BESS expansion in the municipality of Yabucoa
- A conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $489.4 million to a subsidiary of Pattern Energy for three stand-alone BESS in the municipalities of Arecibo (50 MW/200 MWh), and Santa Isabel (50 MW /200 MWh and 80 MW/320 MW), and a 70 MW solar farm with an integrated BESS in the municipality of Arecibo.
If all are finalized, these projects would more than double LPO’s support for utility-scale solar generation and battery energy storage in Puerto Rico.
LPO provides low-cost financing and a rigorous due diligence process, making it a valuable resource for Puerto Rico as it works to rebuild an affordable, reliable, and clean energy system. As a result of reliance on imported fuel, the persistent threat of tropical storms, and underinvested infrastructure, Puerto Ricans today face average energy costs that are twice the US average – all while consuming only one-quarter of the energy of the US per capita.
LPO’s initial loan to a power producer in Puerto Rico, Project Marahu, closed in October 2024, and when complete will add more than 200 MW of solar and up to 285 MW of stand-alone energy storage to Puerto Rico’s grid.
Through its September 2023 partial loan guarantee to Project Hestia, LPO also supports virtual power plant (VPP)-ready rooftop solar and battery storage installations in Puerto Rico. As a nationwide project, Hestia’s sponsor is committed to at least 20% of installations under Project Hestia going to homeowners in Puerto Rico.
As part of its procurement plan, Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority seeks to install 1,500 MW of battery storage and requires a minimum capacity of storage to be co-located with each utility-scale solar project. Energy storage systems currently online in Puerto Rico are being dispatched every day.
When including Marahu, LPO’s closed and conditionally committed financing supports over 100% of the capacity Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority aimed to procure under its initial request for energy storage project proposals, the first of six.
Read more: Cleantech investments to top fossil fuels for the first time in 2025
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Chevy just introduced new deals on the Equinox and Blazer EV models to make them even more affordable. With 0% interest and a new trade-in bonus, Chevy is offering over $5,000 in savings.
Chevy adds new Equinox and Blazer EV deals in January
Although the Chevy Equinox EV is already “the most affordable” EV in its class with over 315 miles range, it’s getting even cheaper.
Earlier this week, Chevy launched new deals on the 2024 Equinox and Blazer EV models. According to a note sent to dealers, viewed by CarsDirect, the electric SUVs are now available with 0% APR financing for 60 months. You can also choose from 0.9% AP for 72 months and 2.9% APR for 84 months.
This marks the best financing offer on Chevy’s newest EVs to date. The previous best rates were 0.9% APR for 60 months, 3.9% for 72 months, and 5.9% for the longer 84-month option.
On a 7-year $45,000 loan, online auto research firm CarsDirect estimates the new deals amount to around a $5,200 price cut. The lower APR rates are already offered on the Chevrolet Silverado EV pickup.
In addition, Chevy is offering a trade-in bonus of up to $3,000 on the Silverado EV and $1,000 on the electric Equinox and Blazer models. If you choose to lease, the bonus is cut in half: $1,500 for the Silverado and $500 for the electric SUVs.
Chevy’s new EV deals started on January 14 and run through March 3, 2025. The deals come as rivals like Hyundai and Ford recently launched new EV promotions.
On Thursday, Hyundai launched a new promo on the upgraded 2025 IONIQ 5, which includes monthly leases as low as $199 and a free ChargePoint home EV charger (or $400 charging credit). Meanwhile, Ford extended its “Power Promise” program earlier this month, which also includes a free home charger, among several other benefits.
The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV started at $41,900 with up to 315 miles range. Prices for the electric Chevy Blazer start at $43,690 with up to 279 miles range.
If you are ready to try out Chevy’s new electric SUVs for yourself, we’ve got you covered. You can use our links below to view offers on the Chevy Equinox, Silverado, and Blazer EV models near you.
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In the Electrek Podcast, we discuss the most popular news in the world of sustainable transport and energy. In this week’s episode, we discuss non-Tesla EVs getting Supercharger access, Cybertruck sales in the spotlight, Rivian getting some money from Biden, and more.
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