The government’s touted timeframe of 2035 to ban sales of new ICE-only cars is unrealistic unless significant support comes into play, Ford UK chairman Graham Hoare has predicted.
“I don’t see a future at 2035 without some application of plug-in hybrids, but many vehicles types could comfortably move towards full electrification by then," Hoare said. He called for a “clear and consistent path to bring change about”.
“There's no silver bullet. There's no single solution that caters for the bandwidth of vehicles that are on Britain’s roads today, both cars and CVs [commercial vehicles]. We need to think as an industry in partnership with government. We need to unite together to create that consistency of purpose between industry, government, energy providers and consumers to embrace the challenge.”
Hoare referenced Norway’s approach to building confidence with consumers through infrastructure and economic support, noting that it has taken consistency more than three decades to achieve the 70% market share for EVs seen there today.
Hoare added that the UK isn't yet ready for net-zero emissions in 2035. “The embryonics of those components required are in our grasp, but it takes that unity to synchronise our activities," he said.
"It will take a broad range of incentives, both at the point of sale but also during the usage of vehicle, so they become attractive and to support the government’s ambition of the 2035 timeframe. We’ve got to think carefully about a long-range programme of incentivisation. We need short-term goals to allow for long-term achievements.”
Hoare said that hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles would need to be in play to address the full range of vehicles, stating that hydrogen has a clear role in heavy-duty transport and the largest car models.
“The hydrogen pathway is one to watch, driven by the heavy-goods vehicle industry," he said. "Hydrogen could be an opportunity but very cost-sensitive. Therefore it will require a huge amount of innovation to make it affordable, but I do see great progress from energy providers and technologists.”
Ford of Europe president Stuart Rowley has previously told Autocar that talk of engine bans was “not helpful” and that best progress would be made if participants in negotiations were “positive and not adversarial”.
READ MORE
2035 combustion engine ban: public consultation time extended
Ford: Car maker collaboration crucial to EV development
2020 Ford Focus gains mild hybrid options, new Zetec variant
Join the debate
Add your comment
adrian888
So let us not bother to try and clean up this mess so you can enjoy your excessive caravan towing holidays in a dirty old diesel. God forbid you might have to change your habits. Let us all petition Boris so Adrian can have his own particular brand of selfishness forever preserved.
Ford is correct
Politicians and civil servants who live in a parallel universe need to listen. As the guy states, we have an enormous bandwith of vehicle type and use which EV alone simply cannot meet with current and horizon tech. And to say ICE furlled by diesel is dead is utter bo!! ocks given the queue of enquiries for my Passat diesel i sold last week. In the real wotld where normal people buy used cars for £5-£10k or less, a used usable EV is laughable. I often drive 350/400 miles in a dsy towing a caravan. Whrre is the £15k used EV i can do that with?
Lacking a bit of self confidence
Surely with 14 years to go it is not that tough.
Think what Tesla achieved in 14 years with no production history or experience. If the big boys cannot do it by then they simply lose everything. I cannot think of a single part of the market that is not covered by an adequate electric car right now. Batteries will get better, but already solid state and low cobalt units are breaking through.
If you gave Ford 50 years they would still complain as they want to sell cheap to build ICE trucks and cars forever.
Dinosaurs will not die out without a fight, but not let's give their ridiculous protestations too much space and time.
If Ford die out so what, others will survive and provide what is needed
Yes! Well said F.O.R.D Found On Road ☠️
Fords Kodak Moment!