Ford CEO on EV progress.
Work continues. Farley feels Plug-in Hybrids are the mainstream, with EREVs coming soon, which is a technology I was not sufficiently aware of.
Google says:
An EREV, or Extended-Range Electric Vehicle, is a type of car that combines an electric motor with a petrol or diesel engine. This hybrid vehicle is designed to provide longer driving ranges compared to traditional electric cars.
The Chevy Volt was not exactly an EREV, since technically the ICE had a drive connection to the wheels.
Farley steps carefully to not offend the administration, says “we have to sort out this Mexico and Canada thing…there are actually a lot of parts we can’t even make in the US.”
“We’ve found the administration very positive to work with…they want to help companies like Ford, that do the right thing for Americans.”
Mentions a recent slowdown in production due to the Rare earth embargo brought on by Trump’s goofy trade war. “It’s hand to mouth right now” he said, referring to the Rare Earth supply. (see more below)
CBS News:
Ford CEO Jim Farley said that a rare earth minerals shortage is hurting production and caused the automaker to temporarily shut down one of its plants last month, according to an interview with Bloomberg TV.
Rare earth minerals, which are a set of 17 metallic elements, are integral to automobile production, and enable features like windshield wipers, seat belts and speakers to function. About 90% of the U.S.’s rare earth minerals come from China, the world’s largest producer of rare earths, according to data from the Geological Survey.
China has leveraged its grip on rare earths and their widespread utility amid a trade war with the U.S. In April, Beijing announced greater export controls on the materials — a sticking point in tariff negotiations — along with other retaliatory trade measures. The controls require businesses to apply for a license to export rare earths, which U.S. automakers say they have been struggling to secure.
Earlier this week, on June 11, following two days of discussions in London, U.S. and Chinese negotiators struck an agreement under which Beijing would resume regular exports of rare earths to the U.S.
“The centrality of rare earth export restrictions to the trade deal underscores the criticality of minerals to the U.S. economy as well as the severity of the chokehold Beijing holds on global supply chains,” policy experts from the Center for Strategic and International Studies wrote in a research note.
I see towed generators taken behind trucks at construction sites to power equipment all the time. A compact, streamlined one to rent for EVs taking long trips would cost way less than stuffed in a car and carted around without being used most of the time.
I had trouble getting across to the car dealers that I didn’t want the extra 400 lbs of battery weight that came with the higher trim option on my EV. The 40kWh battery has more than enough range for this city girl, thankyouverymuch.