Ford secures 2,000 C-Max Energi fleet deal with GE
GE will add 2,000 Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrids to its global fleet as part of a push towards alternative fuel vehicles, with joint marketing and research also agreed.
Ford confirmed it will supply 2,000 C-Max Energi plug-in hybrids to General Electric, marking the carmaker’s largest single sale of plug-in electrified vehicles to date. The deal, announced in November 2012, is part of GE’s commitment to convert half its global fleet to alternative fuel vehicles.
GE's alternative fuel fleet strategy
The purchase forms part of GE’s wider plan to shift half of its global vehicle fleet to alternative fuels. With this order, GE’s alternative fuel vehicle count rises above 5,000, moving towards its target of 25,000 worldwide. The C-Max Energi joins other plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles already in GE’s portfolio.
The C-Max Energi was selected as GE continues to invest in electrified transport, both for environmental reasons and to reduce operating costs across its fleet. GE has also committed to working with Ford to promote alternative fuel infrastructure, including charging solutions for fleet and retail customers.
Joint research and infrastructure marketing
Beyond the vehicle order, Ford and GE agreed to jointly market GE’s alternative fuel infrastructure solutions. This includes charging stations and related services, supporting adoption of plug-in vehicles among other fleet operators and private buyers.
Researchers from Ford, GE and the Georgia Institute of Technology will study GE employee driving and charging habits. The aim is to gather data that could help improve the C-Max Energi’s all-electric driving and charging performance in real-world fleet use. Insights from this research may inform future plug-in hybrid development and customer support.
About the Ford C-Max Energi
The Ford C-Max Energi is a five-seat plug-in hybrid, offering an official US EPA rating of 108 MPGe in city driving and 100 MPGe combined. This made it the most fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid in the US at the time of the deal, according to Ford. The car can run on electric power alone for short distances, with a petrol engine supplementing longer journeys. For more on the C-Max Energi’s efficiency, see2013 Ford C Max Energi Returns 108 Mpge.
- Five-seat plug-in hybrid configuration
- 108 MPGe city, 100 MPGe combined (US EPA)
- Electric-only driving capability
- Part of Ford’s six-strong electrified vehicle line-up (2012)
Wider context for Ford and GE
For Ford, the GE order provided a high-profile endorsement of its electrified vehicle strategy, which in 2012 included six new hybrid and electric models. For GE, the purchase advanced its stated goal of cutting fleet emissions and operating costs through alternative fuel adoption. Both companies positioned the deal as a step towards broader acceptance of plug-in vehicles in corporate fleets.
The research partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology is expected to produce data that could benefit other fleet operators considering plug-in hybrids, by clarifying real-world usage patterns and infrastructure needs.
