Ford plans Model E electric vehicle family for 2019 launch
Ford is preparing a new Model E range, including electric and hybrid vehicles, to enter production in 2019 and target rivals like the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model 3.
Ford is preparing to introduce a new Model E family of electric vehicles in 2019, with plans for a dedicated platform and multiple body styles to compete with mainstream rivals in the zero-emissions market.
The Model E name first surfaced when Ford trademarked it in 2013. Since then, speculation has grown around the company’s electric ambitions, particularly after the clash with Tesla over the name, which resulted in Tesla choosing Model 3 for its own compact saloon. Ford now appears to be preparing not just a single EV, but a full line-up of electrified vehicles under the Model E badge.
Dedicated platform and range targets
Reports indicate that the Model E range will be built on a dedicated platform, similar in approach to Hyundai’s Ioniq line, but with a broader mix of variants. The line-up is expected to include conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles, with multiple body styles spanning passenger cars and crossovers. The fully electric Model E is being developed to offer a range of around 200 miles, directly targeting the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model 3, both due on the market ahead of Ford’s entry.
The new vehicles are expected to replace the existing Focus Electric and Energi plug-in hybrid models, marking a shift to a more competitive and flexible EV offering. The Model E range is also reportedly related to the next-generation Ford Focus, but will use its own architecture to accommodate electric powertrains and battery packs more efficiently.
Production plans and competition
Ford plans to build the Model E family at a new assembly facility in Mexico, which has received a reported investment of $1.6 billion. By the time the Model E launches in 2019, it will face established competition from the Chevrolet Bolt, Tesla Model 3 and the next-generation Nissan Leaf. Ford’s move signals a commitment to electrification in the face of growing pressure from both established and emerging electric vehicle manufacturers.
- Model E to compete with Chevrolet Bolt, Tesla Model 3 and Nissan Leaf
- Multiple electrified variants planned, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric
- Production at new Mexican facility set for 2019 launch
Ford’s previous electric offerings have included the Focus Electric, which gained a battery and range upgrade for Europe in 2017. The Model E project is intended to position Ford more strongly in a market that is moving rapidly towards dedicated electric architectures and longer-range vehicles.
