New Ford Pro Tool Runs the Numbers to Show Where Electric Makes Cents

Rhea-AI Summary

Ford Pro, the commercial division of Ford Motor Company, has introduced new digital tools to help businesses integrate electric vans and trucks into their fleets. The key features include:

1. E-Switch Assist: A complimentary web-based tool that analyzes connected vehicle data to determine if gas-powered vehicles are suitable for transitioning to electric models.

2. Home Charging Solutions: New Ford Pro charging solutions designed for employee home use, including the Ford Pro Series 2 48-amp charger and charging management software.

These tools aim to help businesses determine when, where, and how electric vehicles can work best for them, supporting Ford's position as the leading commercial vehicle brand in America.

Positive

• Introduction of E-Switch Assist tool to help businesses evaluate EV readiness
• Launch of new home charging solutions for employee use
• Ford is the leading commercial vehicle brand in America for 39 consecutive years
• F-150 Lightning is America's best-selling electric truck
• E-Transit is America's best-selling electric van

Negative

• None.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

Ford Pro's introduction of E-Switch Assist and new home charging solutions demonstrates a strategic move to accelerate commercial EV adoption. The tool's ability to analyze 53% of evaluated vehicles as potential EV candidates indicates significant market potential. This aligns with Ford's position as the leading commercial vehicle brand and could drive growth in their electric commercial lineup.

The focus on employee home charging addresses a important need, as 30% of fleet vehicles go home with employees. By offering comprehensive solutions from vehicles to charging infrastructure and management software, Ford is positioning itself as a one-stop shop for fleet electrification. This integrated approach could lead to increased customer loyalty and recurring revenue streams from software subscriptions.

However, the impact on Ford's financials may be gradual. While the tools are promising, actual EV adoption rates and the speed of infrastructure development will determine the success of this strategy. Investors should monitor fleet conversion rates and Ford Pro's revenue growth in the coming quarters to gauge the effectiveness of these initiatives.

Tech Expert

Ford Pro's E-Switch Assist tool represents a significant technological advancement in fleet management. By leveraging advanced algorithms and connected vehicle data, it provides a data-driven approach to EV transition decisions. This not only enhances Ford's value proposition but also positions them as a leader in smart fleet solutions.

The integration of RFID technology, cellular connectivity and smart charging features in the new home charging solutions showcases Ford's commitment to user-friendly, connected experiences. The ability to monitor usage, provide reimbursement reports and optimize charging schedules addresses key pain points for fleet managers and could drive adoption.

From a competitive standpoint, these digital tools create a strong ecosystem around Ford's EV offerings, potentially increasing switching costs for customers. The emphasis on software and data analytics also aligns with broader industry trends towards smart, connected vehicle fleets. This could open up new revenue streams and differentiate Ford in the increasingly competitive EV market.

• Ford Pro’s latest digital solutions help businesses determine when, where, and how electric vans and trucks can work best for them.
• Ford Pro E-Switch Assist is a complimentary tool that analyzes a business’ connected vehicle data to evaluate if their current gas-powered Transit^® vans and F-150^® pickups are suitable for transitioning to E-Transit^™ electric vans and F-150^® Lightning^® electric trucks.
• New Ford Pro charging solutions designed for employee home use equips companies to remotely monitor, manage, and control charging including access, utilization, costs, and reimbursements.

DEARBORN, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Does your business have vehicles ready to make the switch to electric? Ford Pro^™, the commercial division of Ford Motor Company, has introduced new digital tools—including E-Switch Assist—to help integrate electric vans and trucks into fleets in a way that best meets business objectives and gets the job done.

(Photo: Business Wire)

E-Switch Assist: Are Electric Vehicles Right for Your Organization?

The first step towards commercial electrification is figuring out which vehicles in a fleet are ready to make the transition. In a survey of fleet operators who have integrated electric vehicles (EVs), gas and diesel vehicles still make up 58% of their fleet on average, and hybrid vehicles make up almost 20%.¹ Ford Pro E-Switch Assist helps business and government customers determine if they’re ready to add electric vans and trucks to their fleet—like the E-Transit van and F-150 Lightning pickup— and can help identify which areas in the fleet are ideal for switching. This complimentary web-based tool is now available in the U.S., UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Norway, and the Netherlands.

E-Switch Assist uses advanced algorithms developed by the Ford Pro data science team to analyze connected vehicle data to compare the energy consumption of gas-powered vehicles with the estimated energy needs of comparable electric vehicles, recommending which gas-powered vehicles are suitable to switch. The tool accounts for distance driven, cargo load, vehicle efficiency, terrain, driver-specific behavior, external climate, and cabin heating load. The tool also estimates the required number of daily charges for both individual vehicles and fleets of all sizes.

“Smart tools informed by data like E-Switch Assist are opening up many new conversations with our commercial customers large and small about EV readiness; we’re already using E-Switch Assist regularly in consultations to help organizations determine if electric trucks and vans are right for them,” said Nathan McDonald, EV Strategy and Brand Manager at Ford Pro. “The importance of these tools and technologies goes beyond selling a customer a new vehicle—it changes mindsets about whether electric vehicles will work for their business while potentially saving them time and money.”

E-Switch Assist equips businesses with the insights needed to identify which part of their fleet operations are ready to transition to electric without disruption to their business. To date, the E-Switch Assist tool has evaluated over 38,000 commercial vehicles, revealing that nearly 53% are potential candidates for transitioning to electric power.²

Ford Pro customers can sign up for a complimentary E-Switch Assist assessment here.

If the assessment shows an organization is ready for electric vehicles, Ford Pro offers solutions to streamline the addition of these vehicles and charging infrastructure, from commercial-grade chargers for home and worksites to telematics and software to manage it all.

Home Charging: Essential Equipment to Take Work Home

Ford Pro is committed to helping ease the transition to zero tailpipe emissions³ for commercial customers with a growing lineup of Ford work-ready electric vehicles and charging hardware and software for home and worksite charging.

In surveys conducted with fleet operators, almost 30% said their employees take company vehicles home after work.⁴ Charging up at home can be convenient and cost-effective for these organizations and their drivers. Available now, the Ford Pro Series 2 48-amp charger is a commercial-grade, high-quality charging solution designed for home use by employees. Ideal for charging overnight at home, the charger features RFID technology for both control and ease of access,⁵ LCD display, standard cellular connectivity with no Wi-Fi^® required, and will work on Ford and non-Ford vehicles.

Ford Pro Charging Software manages employee charging activity regardless of vehicle make or location.⁶ It monitors usage, provides energy reimbursement reports, can set automated charging schedules, and monitors real-time household utility rates to schedule charging for non-peak hours, which can help reduce electricity costs and demand on the electrical grid.

More information about Ford Pro Home Charging solutions is available here.

A One-Stop Shop for Solutions

Ford Pro delivers an always-on, connected customer experience through a comprehensive suite of solutions including vehicles, charging, software, financing and service for all business and government customers.

Ford is the leading commercial vehicle brand and America’s best-selling line of commercial vehicles for 39 consecutive years,⁷ featuring BUILT FORD TOUGH^® commercial trucks and vans integrated with Ford Pro software and services. This includes America’s best-selling electric truck, F-150^® Lightning^® pickup;⁸ America’s best-selling electric van, E-Transit^™;⁹ America’s best-selling line of electric Class 1-7 trucks and vans,¹⁰ America’s best-selling commercial van, Transit^®;¹¹ and America’s best-selling trucks, F-Series, for 47 consecutive years.¹²

To learn more about the expanded suite of solutions from Ford Pro, visit FordPro.com.

¹Ford Pro Operating Patterns, BEV Segmentation Survey Report, July 6-24, 2023.
²Ford internal data, 10/16/24.
³Based on EPA tailpipe rating. Visit www.fueleconomy.gov for more information.
⁴Ford Pro Charging Research, Path to Purchase Report, Feb 23-March 9, 2023.
⁵RFID cards sold separately.
⁶Subscription required.
⁷Based on S&P Global Mobility CY1985-2023 US TIPNet Registrations excluding registrations to individuals. TIP Registrations prior to 2010 do not include all GVW 1 and 2 vehicles.
⁸Based on 2023 CY industry-reported total sales.
⁹Based on 2023 CY industry-reported total sales.
¹⁰Based on S&P Global Mobility CY2023 US TIPNet Registrations, GVW Class 1. 7 electric vehicles excluding SUVs. TIPNet Registrations prior to 2010 do not include all GVW 1 and 2 vehicles.
¹¹Based on total U.S. industry-reported sales (2023 CY).
¹²Based on 1977-2023 CY industry-reported total sales.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough electric vehicles along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 175,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241017686858/en/

Britta Farrow

206.999.7397

Bfarrow3@ford.com

Source: Ford Motor Company

FAQ

What is Ford Pro's E-Switch Assist tool and how does it work?

Ford Pro's E-Switch Assist is a complimentary web-based tool that analyzes connected vehicle data to determine if gas-powered vehicles in a fleet are suitable for transitioning to electric models. It uses advanced algorithms to compare energy consumption and estimate charging needs, considering factors like distance driven, cargo load, and climate.

What new home charging solutions has Ford Pro (F) introduced for commercial customers?

Ford Pro has introduced the Series 2 48-amp charger, a commercial-grade charging solution designed for home use by employees. It features RFID technology, LCD display, and cellular connectivity. Additionally, Ford Pro Charging Software manages employee charging activity, monitors usage, and provides energy reimbursement reports.

How many commercial vehicles has Ford Pro's E-Switch Assist tool evaluated so far?

According to the press release, Ford Pro's E-Switch Assist tool has evaluated over 38,000 commercial vehicles to date, revealing that nearly 53% are potential candidates for transitioning to electric power.

What percentage of fleet operators' vehicles are still gas and diesel according to Ford Pro's survey?

According to a survey of fleet operators who have integrated electric vehicles, gas and diesel vehicles still make up 58% of their fleet on average, while hybrid vehicles make up almost 20%.