Ford CEO Jim Farley posts an insightful ode to electric vehicles as a ‘lifelong petrol head’
Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley recently posted an opinion piece to social media, sharing a fresh and inspiring perspective about his newfound love for electric vehicles. As a self-described “lifelong petrol head,” Farley definitely found his niche by heading one of the world’s most prominent automakers. Given his foresight into the future of electrification, it’s easy to see why he’s CEO, and better still, he has the data to back his statements up.
Jim Farley said he always wanted to be a “car guy.”
With time spent at Toyota and Lexus before joining Ford in 2007, Farley has definitely engrained himself in the car world. During his tenure at Ford Motor Company, he has risen through the ranks as a senior member of the executive team before being named the company CEO in 2020.
Long before Farley took over, the automotive industry had begun to shift toward electric vehicles that are more powerful, quieter, and, most importantly, cleaner in emissions. In a recent post, Farley said, “The rumble of a V-8 feels like the soundtrack of my life,” and that he still spends many weekends “wrenching” on his 1973 Ford Bronco.
The head of Ford clearly has a passion for combustion vehicles, which he spent most of his career developing, but Farley has admitted to a newfound love of electric vehicles and explains why. Furthermore, he does an excellent job of addressing common misconceptions about EVs as well as his predictions for the future of the industry.
Ford CEO: EVs will be the next great shift in mobility
We highly recommend reading the opinion piece in its entirety recently posted to LinkedIn by Ford CEO Jim Farley. It’s a five-minute read that is well thought out and relatable, and Farley comes off as informed, honest, and approachable, even as the head of a major automaker.
The piece is also full of strong arguments that make pro-EV advocates like us throw our hands up and say, “Preach!” This first part sounds partially like an ad for the F-150 Lightning, but Farley does share some insight on how he fell in love with EVs:
As a lifelong petrol head, I was surprised as anyone when I fell in love with electric vehicles.
It wasn’t government policies or political beliefs that sparked this late-career romance with electric vehicles. It’s because I drive one – my Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum. It is astonishingly quiet and smooth. The effortless acceleration leaves you with a silly grin once you get the feeling back in your face. Every morning, mine is topped up with 300 miles of range. No gas stations, ever…
… It’s that simple. For me, and for millions of Americans, electric vehicles are removing daily hassles and reminding us why we love to drive. If you want to have a blast behind the wheel, take a Mustang Mach-E Rally out on a dirt road.
Next, the Ford CEO addresses some misconceptions about EVs and compares the nascent technology to other paradigm shifts in our world of industry, such as mobile phones and computers, and even recalls a time when the internet was just a fad. Per Farley:
It takes time for innovations to take hold. But when they do, the shift is profound and lasting.
I believe the next great shift for vehicles will be toward software-defined and electric vehicles.
After that, Farley addresses a key issue (and misconception) among consumers who are considering going electric: how much range they need. Per the post, Ford’s research shows that approximately 50% of Americans only take trips over 150 miles four days or less per year.
Farley also stated that 80% of EV owners charge at home and acknowledges that public charging networks in North America are continuing to grow. Ford’s CEO mentions a road trip across the US he took in an F-150 Lightning last year but left out the part about how shocked he was that it was so difficult to find reliable chargers. Still, Farley appears optimistic about those networks:
Charging access and speed will keep getting better, just as cellular networks went from staticky and constantly dropping to clear and reliable.
Farley also shared that close to 70% of global EV owners say they are sticking to electric vehicles only in the future. With the US recently imposing higher tariffs on Chinese-made EVs and Europe and possibly Canada following suit, Ford’s CEO took an opportunity to stress the importance of supporting American automakers and to trust that the 121-year-old automaker knows what it’s doing. Per Farley’s post:
Here’s the other thing. We are in a global race to compete in a future where electric propulsion will undoubtedly be a giant force in transportation. America cannot cede innovation leadership to China, Europe, or any other region. Ford has survived and thrived for 121 years because we have never been shy about seizing the moment to innovate and face the future. Now, we are investing billions in plants, tech centers, and our workforce to create the must-have cars, SUVs, and trucks of tomorrow.
It’s true that we are losing money on electric vehicles in the first innings of this transition, largely due to the upfront investment costs. But that too is changing. After all, what major technological leap forward wasn’t challenging and costly at the early stages?
The tipping point we’re working toward will come not from regulators who push us or from politicians who try to hold us back. It will come from consumers. Not when an arbitrary market share is reached, but when electric vehicles are simply better for more customers – better to drive, cheaper to own, and easier to integrate into daily life. This is the reality for millions already.
Well said, Jim; welcome to the pack, from one EV lover to another.
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A couple years ago, my wife started a new job as an elementary school principal. It was an exciting milestone, but it also came with a stressful commute. The school isn’t far – just a few kilometers across the city – but during rush hour, taking the bus often meant sitting in gridlock for 45 minutes. Not exactly the best way to start or end a workday.
So we got her an electric bike.
Not just any e-bike, either. She picked out a sleek little folding model called the Rayvolt Exxite XS. It’s light, stylish, easy to ride, and best of all, it doesn’t take up much space at home or at school.
But here’s the kicker: it only goes 25 km/h (15.5 mph). It doesn’t even have a throttle. You have to pedal it, you know, like a neanderthal.
And yet… it’s faster than cars. A lot faster.
Her commute now takes about 10 minutes. Maybe 12 minutes if she catches a few red lights. She zips past long lines of idling cars, breezes down bike lanes, and parks right at the school entrance. No searching for a parking space. No waiting for late buses. No moving so slow that you can clearly see a piece of gum stuck on the road. Just hop on and go.
In raw numbers, her commute time has been cut by more than 75%. Now she’s easily traveling 3-4x faster than a car or bus.
And the only thing that changed was swapping four wheels for two – and ditching the idea that the “faster” vehicle is always the one with more horsepower and an extra few thousand kilos to lug around.
She went with something of a sleek-looking e-bike, but anyone could get the same or better performance from a simple, mass-market e-bike like a $999 Lectric XP4, all for a few months of car payments or nearly a year of bus riding. This isn’t expensive stuff. In fact, it’s cheaper, it saves time, and it’s more fun.
In cities choked with traffic, a modest Class 1 e-bike like hers can be 3–4 times faster than driving. Not because it’s a speed machine (it’s not), but because cars are stuck. Stuck behind other cars. Stuck behind buses. Stuck behind the myth that they’re the only real way to get around.
The bike’s other benefits aren’t lost on her either. She gets a bit of exercise every day to help keep her in shape. She gets fresh air. She gets to actually experience our amazing city instead of watching it go by through a window. And she arrives at school with a smile instead of a headache.
At school, she parks in a guarded area. Back home, she can easily take her bike right up to our apartment in the elevator. It’s no muss, no fuss, easy breezy beautiful e-bike girl.
So yeah, I got my wife an e-bike that’s faster than cars. It didn’t take 1,000 watts or some monster battery pack. It just took rethinking what speed really means in a city.
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The best-selling Mercedes-Benz SUV is going electric, and it’s bringing a new style with it. Mercedes promises the new GLC EV “redefines” the face of the luxury brand. Here’s our first look.
Mercedes previews flashy new face with the GLC EV
We will get our first look at the new electric SUV in a little over a month at the Munich Motor Show. Ahead of its official debut, Mercedes has been hyping the GLC EV up as what could be one of its most important vehicles (EV or gas) to date.
The GLC is already the best-selling Mercedes SUV globally and in the US, but the luxury automaker is promising the electric version will take it to the next level.
“Our new iconic grille is not just a new front for the GLC, it redefines the face of our brand,” according to Gorden Wagener, Mercedes’ chief design boss. Wagener says the new look is “the perfect fusion” of lasting design (and more LED lights) that will be used on upcoming vehicles.
The new electric GLC will be the first to showcase the new face. Mercedes gave us a sneak peek of it on Monday, revealing the revamped grille design.
When you pass by the iconic three-point star, you know it’s a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. For over 100 years, the chrome grille has been the face of nearly every model.
Although it’s been updated and evolved, this is its most extreme redesign yet. The new grille is bold and wide. Again, you won’t be missing this one when it drives by.
After adopting a more “EV-look” with the closed-off grille in its first-gen electric vehicles, Mercedes is reverting to a more traditional luxury design, similar to that of Cadillac or BMW, with a chunky, wide chrome grille. An illuminated version will also be available, featuring 942 backlit dots.
Mercedes says the optional high-tech pixel design can even be animated to bring the electric GLC to life.” The iconic star and border of the panel are also illuminated.
The GLC EV is the first of a new family of vehicles that will feature its advanced new MB.OS supercomputer alongside the updated design.
Mercedes is also promising an optional new MBUX HYPERSCREEN, “elevates the interior of the new GLC in a way never seen before.” We will get our first official look at the new Mercedes GLC EV on September 7 at the Munich Motor Show.
The luxury automaker says the event will mark the beginning of a new era with its largest product launch yet. In addition to the electric GLC debut, Mercedes will hold the world premiere for the new CLA EV, CLA Shooting Brake, and Concept AMG GT XX. Check back soon for more updates leading up to the event.
What do you think of the new face of Mercedes? Are you a fan? Or should the luxury brand go back to the chalkboard again? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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Costco’s EV Marketplace hopes to guide its members through every step of their electrification journey with helpful articles, insights, and resources. The online resource gas just hit its six-month milestone, and to celebrate, they’re rolling out fresh deals on three new Volvo EVs.
SKIP THE STORY: take me to the deals.
“It’s normal to have questions when you’re considering an EV,” reads Costco’s Marketplace copy. “Are EVs safe? How long will my EV last? Can EVs handle harsh weather? We’ve answered these questions and more so you can have peace of mind about living the EV life.”
That’s how it starts, and the Marketplace, true to its word, continues with informational articles about EV incentives (Money Matters), charging FAQs (All About Charging), the differences between hybrids, PHEVS, and EREVs (Hybrids and PHEVs), and Expert Perspectives on topics like autonomous driving and buying usd EVs.
It’s pretty basic stuff, and you’d probably get a lot more nuanced and useful real-world takes on the hows and whys of fitting an EV into your everyday life by reading the comments on Electrek, but the Costco site passes the Jo Borrás Father-In-Law Test™: it’s easy, accessible, and does everything it can to avoid taking any sort of environmental or political stand.
And, best of all, it neatly organizes all the different GM EVs eligible for Costco member discounts. And, now through September, that list includes a (returning) trio of all-electric Volvo models: the EX90, EX40, and Electrek EV of the year for 2024, the Volvo EX30.
Check out the deals, below, and click on the Make/Model names to find more discounts and deals on new EVs in inventory near you.
Costco members only Volvo deals
- Volvo EX90
$ 1,500 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 2,000 incentive for Executive members - Volvo EX40
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Volvo EX30
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members
Costco members only GM deals
- Chevrolet Blazer EV
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Chevrolet Equinox EV
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Chevrolet Silverado EV
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - GMC Sierra EV
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - GMC Hummer EV
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Cadillac OPTIQ
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Cadillac VISTIQ
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members - Cadillac ESCALADE IQ
$ 1,000 incentive for Gold Star & Business members
$ 1,250 incentive for Executive members
Brightdrop Costco member deal
Finally, I absolutely must stop and highlight what might be the absolute best deals going. With 272 miles of range and more room inside its walls than your college dorm, GM’s Chevy Brightdrop electric van is one of the best commercial EVs you can buy. As a Costco Executive member, you can get one for yourself or your business with an absolutely incredible $31,500 discount. (!)
You can check out Costco’s EV Marketplace for yourself at this link, then let us know what you think of it as a resource – and if you’d recommend it to your in-laws – in the comments.
SOURCE: Costco; images via Volvo, GM.
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