DETROIT — Ford CEO Jim Farley wants the industry to stop viewing hybrid vehicles as only an interim solution to be used until drivers are comfortable going fully electric.
Plug-in hybrids, which include a small battery that can be used for shorter distances, may not be relevant in a few years, Farley said. However, extended-range hybrids are an important technology for the industry's future, he said. Presumably, he was referring to vehicles similar to the Ram 1500 Ramcharger, which has a rather large battery pack, but also a gas engine generator to provide electricity when the battery has drained.
Ford is aiming to quadruple hybrid sales over the next several years, executives have said. It has pulled back on some of its EV investments and pushed back production of EVs in Canada and the U.S. Farley and other automotive executives have said software and subscription services will be key profit drivers in the future.