Ford’s EV Plant: Now Carbon-Neutral at 93!

$2B Revives Struggling Facility

Ford has ceremoniously welcomed the new Cologne Electric Vehicle Centre, a milestone that came after an astounding $2 billion renovation. Dating back to 1930, the centre lies in the neighborhood of Niehl in Cologne, Germany.

After investing a staggering two billion dollars, the 125-hectare facility now has an advanced industrial line. It is used for assembling batteries, incorporating cutting-edge tools and robotization. Ford claims that the production plant can generate up to 250,000 electric vehicles per annum, and the first model being launched in Europe is an all-electric version of the Explorer. A sports crossover will be added before long to the range of automobiles already available.

One of the most essential things to note is that the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center will be the inaugural carbon-neutral vehicle manufacturing facility of Ford worldwide. This remarkable achievement is marked as a significant step towards genuine zero-emissions driving.

“The opening of the Cologne EV Center marks the dawn of a new era of clean production and electric vehicles in Europe,” declared Bill Ford, Executive Chair. “This facility will be one of the most energy-efficient and eco-friendly plants in the industry. It is my great pleasure to strive towards a zero-emissions future for our descendants.”

Ford will apply novel processes, equipment, and technology to attain carbon neutrality. The electrical energy and gas employed to power it will be authenticated renewable sources. A local energy supplier will compensate Ford for any corresponding exhausts generated from the facility. Said local energy provider intends to abate their operating emissions by a whopping 60% by 2026, eventually reaching full emissions neutrality by 2035, which is in line with the rigorous EU standards for emissions reduction in the auto industry.

“The Cologne EV Center is a pioneering force in the automotive industry for transitioning from traditional auto manufacturing to electric vehicle production,” Martin Sander, general manager of Ford Model e Europe, declared. “It is a carbon-neutral facility that demonstrates the potential of electrified mobility.”

“The Cologne EV Center marks the beginning of a new age for Ford in Europe,” said Sander. The Cologne plant, which opened in 1930, has been the production site of some of Ford’s most important models, such as the Model A, Taunus, Capri, Granada, and Fiesta. It has manufactured over 18 million vehicles to date.

Ford has verified that the electric variant of the Explorer is destined for Europe only. The US edition is substantially bigger than its counterpart. As for the other automobile, it could possibly be any one of the seven new electric cars and vans Ford is aiming to bring to the market place before 2024, but this is unlikely.

Germany does not possess a free-trade deal with the US, thus any electronic vehicles created in Cologne do not meet the requirements for a $7,500 tax discount. As Tesla prices have fallen to record lows due to tax exemptions, Ford USA cannot manage to accept imports of electric automobiles.