Why Go Electric? If you're thinking about making a change on your driveway for the first time in about 10 years, you now have more options than you would've had last time you were car shopping.

Ford Electric

Making sure that your business is future-proofed is critical to any organisation and Ford’s range of electric commercial vehicles will add to the surety that you are ready for anything. Incredible efficiency and reduced emissions mean you can make cost savings you might not have anticipated on things such as congestion charges and vehicle road tax.

Meanwhile, the highly efficient engines in our hybrid vans mean you will experience fuel economy unlike anything you’ve seen before. Here at Birchwood, we have all the information you need to make the right decision about your next commercial vehicle. Talk to us about what you need and we will find you the perfect solution.

Key Benefits

Fuel efficiency is often the number one priority for a commercial vehicle and that is guaranteed with Ford’s electric commercial vehicles, but there are plenty of other benefits too.

  • Unbeatable fuel economy
  • Low or nil emissions
  • Reduced running costs and congestion charges
  • Road tax savings
  • Easy maintenance
  • Incredible driving performance

Types of Electric/Hybrid Vehicles Explained

Everything you wanted to know about hybrid, fully electric and fuel cell cars

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    All Electric (EV) Fully electric vehicles (EV) run on electric battery power alone. They are easily recharged by attaching the car to a suitable power outlet. This includes a standard three-pin socket. Because these cars use no fuel at all and produce zero emissions, they are the most economical and environmentally sound option.
    Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) Technology laden, Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV) have the best of both worlds as they combine a petrol or diesel combustion engine with a battery-powered electric motor, which provides a zero-emissions driving range of up to 34 miles. The large Hybrid battery requires charging at an external electricity source.
    Hybrid (HEV) Hybrid Vehicles (HEV) combine an internal combustion engine with a battery-powered motor. These work together switching between the power sources for maximum fuel efficiency. No external recharging of the battery is required. Instead, the Hybrid battery recharges itself using regenerative braking technology.
    Mild Hybrid (MHEV) Mixing an economical combustion engine with an electric motor, a Mild Hybrid (MHEV) can seamlessly switch from electric at low speeds to the diesel or petrol at higher speeds or on longer journeys. The high-density lithium-ion battery does not require an external power source as it is recharged through regenerative braking technology.

    Electric Vehicle FAQ

    How do I charge an electric car?

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    There are multiple ways of charging your electric vehicle at home and on the go.

    Home charging

    • A Ford Connected Wallbox will be the most convenient and is likely to be the fastest way to charge your Mustang Mach-E at home. (Available at additional cost and installation cost). It will be able to add around 27 miles of range every hour. With the FordPass app*, you will even be able to control the Connected Wallbox and manage access.
    • If you have an industrial socket outlet installed, you can charge faster than with a normal socket. You can use the Ford Varipower Home Charge Cable (provided with your vehicle), with its industrial socket connector. Charging this way can also add up to 27 miles every hour.
    • Finally, you can simply plug into a common domestic socket, using the Ford Varipower Home Charge Cable and its domestic socket connector. This can add around 9 miles of range per hour. Please ensure your sockets are checked by a qualified electrician to ensure safe operation.

    Public charging

    Ford plans to offer access to public charging stations across Europe. Chargers can be unlocked using the Ford charge card (RFID card), the FordPass app or Plug and Charge. You’re likely to come across several different types of pubic charger for your electric vehicle:

    Public AC Charger. (11-22kW). For some of these, you’ll need to have your public charge cord, which comes as standard with the Mustang Mach-E and you’ll get around 30 miles of range per hour.

    50 kW DC Charger. These chargers are already commonly available in many countries. A charge cord will always be attached to the station, so you won’t need to use your own. They can deliver around 185 miles of range every hour.

    150 kW DC Charger. These deliver the fastest charging, adding around 350 miles of range per hour, without the need for your public charge cord. The number of high-power chargers is continuously growing, and Ford are a partner in the IONITY network, spreading high-power chargers across European highways.

    All values are based on typical conditions. Actual charging rates may vary.

    How can I charge an electric car at home?

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    Electric vehicle owners typically do 90% of their charging at home. And it’s likely to be the cheapest option, unless your employer offers free charging at work.

    With a Ford Connected Wallbox installed at home, you can plug your electric car in overnight, just like your phone and could get yourself close to a full charge in the morning. With our specialist partners, we can assist you with the installation (at additional cost). More details on the Ford Connected Wallbox will be coming in spring 2020.

    You can also charge slower using your standard equipment Ford Varipower Home Charge Cable in a normal household socket, or in a higher power industrial socket. 

    How much does servicing cost for an electric vehicle?

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    There are various ways to charge an electric car quickly:

    Public AC Charger: (11-22kW). For some of these, you’ll need to have your public charge cord, which comes as standard with the Mustang Mach-E and you’ll get around 30 miles of range per hour.

    50 kW DC Charger: These chargers are already commonly available in many countries. A charge cord will always be attached to the station, so you won’t need to use your own. They can deliver around 185 miles of range every hour.

    150 kW DC Charger: These deliver the fastest charging, adding around 350 miles of range per hour, without the need for your  public charge cord. The number of high-power chargers is continuously growing, and Ford are a partner in the IONITY network, spreading high-power chargers across European highways.

    All values are based on typical conditions. Actual charging rates and ranges achieved may vary.

    What electric vehicles do Ford offer?

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    Some electrified cars are exempt from road tax, while others benefit from a discount compared to petrol or diesel vehicles. Right now in the UK, fully-electric cars aren’t subject to any road tax, or the additional tax from year two for vehicles costing over £40,000. Find out more at: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables

    How long do electric car batteries last?

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    Our Ford Electric vehicles are built to the same high quality standards as our conventional vehicles. That’s why we give an 8-year/100,000 miles warranty on our batteries.

    What affects an electric cars range?

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    Just like in petrol or diesel-fuelled cars, the range of electric vehicles can be affected by a few factors. Here are some main things to consider:

    • High speeds and heavy acceleration use more power and reduce range, so you’ll get more miles out of your potential range by travelling at a steady speed and accelerating gradually.
    • Extreme hot or cold weather conditions affect batteries and can reduce range. Heating or cooling the inside of your vehicle will also draw extra energy from your battery. We’d recommend adjusting the inside temperature of your vehicle while you’re still plugged into the charger.
    • Regenerative braking can capture and reuse more than 90% of the energy normally lost during the braking process, recharging the high-voltage battery and maximising your range. Try to predict traffic situations ahead to optimise your braking for maximum energy recuperation.
    Other Electric Services Got a question or need help with an electric vehicle? If you're looking for your next vehicle, our teams here at Birchwood will be happy to assist to help meet and exceed your requirements. Click on the link below to get in contact with your local dealership.