Ford exec says most drivers don’t realize the major perks of EVs like charging at home
Ford’s Marin Gjaja explained that most drivers don’t realize the major perks of driving an EV. Not only is it more efficient, but it also offers extra benefits like skipping the lines at the gas station with the ability to charge at home.
Ford says driving an EV offers additional perks
At the Automotive News Congress, Marin Gjaja, COO of Ford’s Model e EV business, said one of the company’s main priorities is tackling false beliefs about electric vehicles.
“That’s the conundrum for us as an industry,” Gjaja said in Michigan on Tuesday. He added, “We have customers who are fearing loss and misperceive the value” of EVs.
Ford is working with its dealers to educate customers with tools like Ford University to counter EV misperceptions. Introduced in May, Ford’s new tool is a digital and video-based dealer training platform with games and AI to educate employees and buyers.
According to Gjaja, automakers must address the “economic challenges” as the industry shifts to electric vehicles. To do so, educating customers about the true perks of driving an EV is key.
Gjaja explained that EVs come with additional benefits, like waking up with a full charge every day and the ability to charge at home. Many electric vehicles, like Ford’s F-150 Lightning, can also act as portable generators with added functions like vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging with bidirectional capabilities.
Lightning drivers have used their electric pickups to power home appliances and other electronics during hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards, and other extreme weather events. It can also be used to power up your next camping trip or work site.
Overcoming hurdles in the shift to electric
Ford sold nearly 9,000 electric vehicles in the US last month. Through the first eight months of 2024, Ford’s EV sales reached 61,366, up 57.6% from the same period last year.
However, Ford has delayed several EV projects, citing “slower-than-expected” adoption. Ford also scrapped plans to launch its three-row electric SUV and is focusing on smaller, more profitable models.
Ford has a dedicated team of ex-Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, and Apple employees in California developing its new low-cost EV platform. The first vehicle, a mid-size electric pickup, is expected to launch in 2027.
“Being affordable is great, but there are two other requirements,” Gjaja explained. One is that it has to be unique, or “you’re going to get commoditized,” and the other is that “you also have to make money.”
Ford’s EV unit lost $2.5 billion in the first half of the year and is on track to lose between $5 and $5.5 billion in 2024.
The company is betting on more affordable EVs and a software-defined experience to turn things around over the next few years.
Electrek’s Take
Many drivers don’t realize the actual benefits of driving an EV until they own one. However, the first time you drive it, you will notice the significant upgrade it offers over gas-powered vehicles.
The ride is nearly silent and much smoother. With instant torque, you don’t have to worry about lagging when pulling out into traffic.
Most EVs have superior software and connectivity and are much smarter than traditional gas-powered cars. And that’s not even including the lower cost of ownership with less maintenance and not being subject to fluctuating gas prices. Plus, waking up with a full charge every day is worth it alone. And the best part is you can roll your windows down on a nice day and not smell constant fumes (only if you’re next to a gas-powered car).
Source: Ford, Automotive News
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The Mockingbird Solar Center, Ørsted’s largest solar project globally, is now online, next to protected prairie donated by the renewable energy giant.
This massive 468-megawatt (MW) solar farm is set to power 80,000 homes and businesses, providing a major boost to the Texas grid.
But the launch of Mockingbird Solar isn’t just about clean energy – it’s also about restoring precious ecosystems. Ørsted has donated 953 acres of the Smiley-Woodfin Native Prairie Grassland, which sits next to the solar center, to The Nature Conservancy. The donated land is now the Smiley Meadow Preserve, a protected area for tallgrass prairie that’s home to more than 400 species of grasses and wildflowers.
Tallgrass prairies are some of the rarest ecosystems in the US, with less than 1% of Texas’ original tallgrass prairies still in existence. Tallgrass prairie does a lot of heavy lifting for the environment, including storing carbon, preventing floods, and providing crucial habitats for pollinators.
“Native prairies are the rarest landscapes left in Texas – so much so that many people have never seen one,” said David Bezanson, land protection strategy program director for The Nature Conservancy in Texas. He added that preserving Smiley Meadow will not only conserve one of the best prairie remnants left but also help restore other prairie habitats and boost regional biodiversity.
The Mockingbird Solar Center, a half-billion-dollar project, is part of Ørsted’s $20 billion push to expand renewable energy production across the US. Beyond generating electricity, it will inject $75 million into local property taxes, benefiting schools and other public services. The project also created over 550 construction jobs and will continue to be supported by operations staff moving forward.
Ørsted worked with US companies, including First Solar, for solar panels and partnered with local businesses like Drake Construction and Pfifer Farms for construction materials. It also gave more than $50,000 to local volunteer fire departments in Roxton and Brookston.
With Mockingbird Solar now up and running, Ørsted has more than 6 gigawatts of onshore wind, solar, and battery storage projects either in operation or being built across the US.
Read more: Ørsted got a huge Tesla battery storage system for the world’s single-largest offshore wind farm
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Jeep’s first global luxury electric SUV will arrive at US dealerships any day. Despite its $72,000 price tag, lease prices for the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV start at just $599 per month.
2024 Jeep Wagoneer S EV lease prices
After unveiling its first global electric SUV, Jeep’s CEO said the Wagoneer S “marks a new chapter” in its storied history.
Jeep claims the Wagoneer S packs “exhilarating performance.” With 600 hp and 617 lb-ft of torque, the big-body SUV can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Its 100 kWh battery pack also gives it a driving range of over 300 miles.
The electric SUV is unmistakably still a Jeep, but it did get several upgrades to distinguish it as an EV. The grille is now enclosed without the need to cool a massive engine, giving it a sporty, more modern look.
Jeep revamped its design with a new illuminated seven-slot grille with ambient cast lightning. It also fine-tuned its profile, adding flush door handles, a rear wing, and integrated fins for better airflow.
The first Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition models get exclusive dark accent design elements like 20″ Gloss Black Wheels.
Inside, the electric SUV is loaded with the latest tech and connectivity, including a best-in-class 45″ of usable screen space. The setup includes a 12.3″ center screen and an exclusive 10.25″ interactive front passenger screen.
Jeep already announced that the 2024 Wagoneer S EV will start at $71,995, but now the company has revealed lease prices for the first time.
According to Jeep, the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition can be leased for $599 per month for 36 months (10,000 miles per year). The deal includes $4,999 due at signing and a $7,500 EV incentive. However, you may want to act fast, as Jeep’s offer is only good until December 2, 2024.
| Jeep Wagoneer S vs Tesla Model Y | Starting Price | Range | Lease Price |
| Jeep Wagoneer S Launch Edition | $71,995 | +300 miles | $599/mo |
| Tesla Model Y RWD | $44,990 | 320 miles | $299/mo |
| Tesla Model Y AWD | $47,990 | 308 miles | $399/mo |
| Tesla Model Y AWD Performance | $51,490 | 279 miles | $599/mo |
In comparison, Tesla Model Y RWD lease prices start at $299 for 36 months with $2,999 down (10,000 miles). The Performance AWD model starts at $599 per month. In an end-of-year promo, Tesla also offers 3 months of free Supercharging and Full Self-Driving.
Ready to drive off in your new electric SUV? We can help you get started. You can use our links below to view offers on the Jeep Wagoneer S and Tesla Model Y at a dealer near you.
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