Plug in hybrids (PHEV) and electric cars (EV) have liberated owners from pumping at gasoline stations. Drivers report great savings and less gasoline purchased.
Ford electric vehicle owners have driven drive more than 145,000 electric miles. That is enough to travel the Earth’s equator eight times over. Ford announced that the data it collected from its MyFordMobile platform found that about 410,000 gallons of gasoline have been saved by driving electric only. See our review of the Ford Fusion Energi and test drive here.
Not only does this show the trend away from gasoline but it also illustrates how quickly driving habits have changed with new PHEV and EV owners. As far as Ford is concerned, its MyFord Mobile app with its SmartGauge with EcoGuide and EV+ feature help drivers maximize their efficiency by driving electric when possible. Six months later, Ford found 40 percent of all trips are gas-free compared with less than 20 percent originally.
Press Release:
MYFORD MOBILE DATA SHOW FORD PLUG-INS USE ENOUGH ELECTRIC-ONLY MILES TO CIRCLE WORLD EIGHT TIMES – EVERY DAY
Aggregate data from MyFord® Mobile app show customers drive more than 8,400 electric-only miles every hour and about 203,000 electric-only miles daily – enough to travel around the earth’s equator nearly eight times
MyFord Mobile is available on Ford plug-in hybrids, Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi; and Focus Electric, a battery-electric vehicle.
Data show that for plug-in hybrids, the number of all-electric trips increases by nearly 50 percent after the first six months of ownership, due to improved driving habits acquired through the use of exclusive features and a rapidly growing infrastructure, including Ford’s expanding workplace charging network.
Ford PowerUp Tour launches this month, which aims to help consumers learn about the benefits of Ford plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles
Ford plug-in hybrid vehicles rack up enough electric-only miles every day to drive around the earth nearly eight times – a number rapidly increasing as Ford continues investing in infrastructure while exclusive features like MyFord® Mobile help improve driving habits.
Data show Ford plug-in hybrids are being driven about 203,000 electric miles every day and more than 8,400 miles every hour. The aggregate data are collected through MyFord Mobile, available on Ford’s plug-in vehicles, Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi, and Focus Electric.
The number of electric-only miles is expected to continue increasing, as data suggest driving habits evolve for new hybrid owners through the use of MyFord Mobile and other features such as SmartGauge® with EcoGuide. After six months, nearly 30 percent of all trips are gas-free compared with about 20 percent at the beginning of vehicle ownership.
Mike Tinskey, Ford global director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure, says MyFord Mobile data showing, among other things, how driving habits evolve and how Ford plug-in hybrids are being used are key to improving the ownership experience for existing and future customers.
“The aggregate data collected through MyFord Mobile take the guesswork out of trying to figure out what we need to do when it comes to making adjustments and continuing to improve,” says Tinskey. “Ford is not being forced to use projections because the company has real customer data to rely on and use for guidance.”
MyFord Mobile – available through the App Store and Google Play – allows drivers to link up with their cars via an embedded AT&T wireless module that provides remote communication with the car to maximize utility and minimize operating costs; a multiyear wireless service subscription is included with every Ford electrified vehicle.
The data provide Ford decision makers with a clear picture of how vehicles are being used and are performing in the real world. A recent analysis found:
Charge stations accessible through MyFord Mobile: 20,000
Average number of trips between charges: Four
Average number of charges per vehicle every week: 6.3
Percent of Ford plug-in hybrids using level one charging stations: 70 percent
Short trips: 83 percent of one-way trips are of distances 20 miles or less
“The data demonstrate plug-in hybrids are being purchased and used by customers in a way we had hoped, in that they drive many of their trips during the week using electricity only, and call upon their hybrid engine when needed for longer weekend trips,” says Tinskey. “It confirms for us that coupling the right infrastructure with the right product can lead to a strong, positive impact on the planet.”
Beyond the numbers
Ford doesn’t collect information on individual drivers, but aggregates group data so that it can continue to deliver the best possible ownership experience.
For example, should MyFord Mobile data indicate customers aren’t getting the most from their battery when making short trips, customer service might decide to emphasize educating owners about proper use of the EV: Now feature that keeps the vehicle in electric-only mode.
MyFord Mobile data also helped Ford planners identify the need to launch an electrified vehicle charging network for employees. The company recently announced it will soon begin installing electrified vehicle charging stations at more than 50 of its company offices, product development campuses and manufacturing facilities.
Through the program, nearly every Ford facility in the U.S. and Canada will have at least one charging station.
MyFord Mobile evolves
MyFord Mobile has evolved since it was introduced, and now features a charging station finder powered by PlugShare.com, which provides the most comprehensive information available about access to charging stations. In addition to the more than 20,000 public charge stations in the United States and Canada, PlugShare provides data about private stations, too.
Trip & Charge Log is another recent addition to MyFord Mobile, providing instant information about trips, including energy use and average fuel economy, along with an instant score based on driving habits, such as effective use of brakes.
Other features of MyFord Mobile include:
- Trip Planner: Confirms planned destinations are within the battery’s current range, based on previous driving history; provides tips specific to driving habits to ensure route feasibility; defaults route to a charge station as the final destination
- My GO Times: Schedules a vehicle to charge and power up at specific times as determined by the owner so the cabin will be most comfortable when ready to go
- Value Charge Profiles: Charges battery based on electricity rates; provides a list of electrical plans from local utility company to maximize charging needs affordably
Ford launches PowerUp Tour
The Ford PowerUp Tour launches this month in the northeast and western United States. These unique events are designed to help consumers learn about the many benefits of Ford plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, and assess whether one of these vehicles fits their needs.
During the events, attendees will have the opportunity to test-drive Ford C-MAX Energi, Fusion Energi and Focus Electric against the competition. Trained electric vehicle subject matter experts will provide tips on maximizing the features of these vehicles, including fuel economy and technology capabilities.
Through the tour, Ford hopes to help consumers better understand how affordable plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles can be after considering the cost of ownership and fuel savings, as well as local tax incentives and benefits.
Everyone who attends an event and test-drives a vehicle will be able to enter for a chance to win a two-year lease on a Ford C-MAX Energi. Visit Ford’s Power Up to view the tour stops and to learn more.
