Ford started mass production of the new all-electric Ford Explorer at its first dedicated electric vehicle (EV) facility in Europe following a $2 billion investment that has transformed a historic plant into a factory.
The electric Ford Explorer is the first vehicle to roll off the line at the Ford Cologne Electric Vehicle Center – a significant step on the road to producing a new generation of electric passenger vehicles for the region. A second EV, a new sports crossover, will be revealed shortly with production in Cologne starting later this year.
The new all-electric Explorer includes standard specification that include battery electric powertrains for zero-tailpipe emissions while driving – and more than 600 km driving range on a single charge.
The factory of the future
The Cologne Electric Vehicle Center is equipped with AI and hundreds of state-of-the-art robots that will deliver a new generation of EVs to Ford customers in Europe. The plant’s “digital twin” monitors and supports production line operators to deliver high quality standards.
The Cologne Electric Vehicle Center is supported by self-learning machines and more than 600 new robots that execute welding, cutting, dusting, painting and fusing tasks, to ensure precision, efficiency, and quality.
A new control center monitors the entire assembly process in real time – down to the quantity of every part at each workstation. The plant’s “digital twin” is displayed via a touchscreen containing all workstations with information on tooling, material delivery, work safety and more. With additional touchscreens, employees on the line provide further information on the status of their workplace.
More sustainable production
The Cologne Electric Vehicle Center is one of Ford’s most efficient vehicle assembly plants globally, supported by significant reductions in emissions, water usage and energy consumption.
Ford is working towards implementing a carbon neutrality pathway for the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center. With production now underway, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data will be monitored and recorded for independent certification according to the latest international standards. Within this carbon neutrality pathway, Ford will continuously improve carbon efficiency and reduce GHG emissions.
In addition to initiatives that reduce emissions, water usage and energy consumption, all electricity and natural gas required to operate the plant is 100 percent certified renewable electricity and biomethane. Ford Motor Company is targeting carbon neutrality across its European production footprint of facilities, logistics and direct suppliers by 2035.