Blue Oval’s membership with Drive Electric not a signal about Mach E, sadly.

ANNOUNCEMENT today of Ford New Zealand having joined the primary independent pressure group for electric vehicle uptake isn’t a signal it is any closer to including the Blue Oval’s first fully-fledged battery-compelled car, the Mustang Mach E, into its portfolio.

This today from the brand’s communications manager, Tom Clancy, who says there is still no clarity as to when, or even if, the five-seater sports utility might be sold here.

The model is now being produced in right-hand-drive, but so far the United Kingdom and Ireland stand as the only approved recipient markets. There is no word about when NZ will join that list.

“We have no news on that car,” Clancy explained.

The only full-electric Ford confirmed for NZ is a wholly battery-compelled edition of the Transit van. That variant will join a plug-in hybrid Transit that has just come on sale, in full commercial and Tourneo passenger modes. The first for $99,990 and the second for $111,990.

Ford says it is those models, plus its intent to add an Escape PHEV later this year, that have led it to sign on with Drive Electric.

The brand has the van and a pre-production example of the plug-in Escape to display at an electric car forum in Auckland that began today. The ‘eworld’ event at the Trusts Arena concludes with a public open day on May 8. Ford says it intends to use the Escape for demonstration and as a press vehicle; it is not intended for public use.

Ford says it has been encouraged by initial demand for Transit PHEV and and is looking forward to adding the E-Transit, which will arrive in a full-sized Cargo format with DC charging and a 350 kilometre range.

“As a volume brand we see our products and technology as a key enabler of de-carbonising the transport sector through effective and targeted renewal of New Zealand’s aging vehicle fleet,” says local managing director Simon Rutherford.

“As the consumer appetite for EVs grows, capacity increases, infrastructure and accessibility improve, we aim to further expand our EV line-up as Ford has done in many markets around the world.

“Joining Drive Electric helps us to contribute further to the industry-wide efforts and discussions to find a pragmatic, customer-focused and scalable pathway to the wider adoption of new EVs in New Zealand.”

Drive Electric chairman Mark Gilbert says Ford is the latest of a number of organisations committed to accelerating the uptake of e-mobility in NZ.

“Ford has already committed to sell only electric passenger vehicles in Europe by 2030, a demonstration of their global leadership on electrification. We are excited about seeing how Ford can contribute to New Zealand’s zero emissions transport future.”