
Ford's new electric F-150 Lightning outside of its headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan on May 19. Photo: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
Ford announced Wednesday plans to invest $30 billion in vehicle electrification efforts by 2025, and the company said it anticipates that 40% of its global sales by 2030 will be fully electric vehicles, per a news release.
Why it matters: Ford CEO Jim Farley said the new initiative — called "Ford+" — is the company's largest opportunity for growth since "Henry Ford started to scale the Model T," signaling just how lucrative Ford leaders think the electric vehicle market will become.
- As part of the initiative, Ford plans to invest in battery technology and infrastructure that would allow it to manufacture its own batteries.
- It would include the creation of Ford Ion Park, "a global center of battery excellence comprising more than 150 experts in battery chemistries, testing, manufacturing and value-chain management who will boost battery range and lower costs to customers and Ford," the company said.
Context: Ford previously announced that it would invest $22 billion in electrification efforts by 2025.
What they're saying: “I’m excited about what Ford+ means for our customers, who will get new and better experiences by pairing our iconic, world-class vehicles with connected technology that constantly gets better over time,” Ford CEO said.
- “We will deliver lower costs, stronger loyalty and greater returns across all our customers. This is our biggest opportunity for growth and value creation since Henry Ford started to scale the Model T, and we’re grabbing it with both hands," he added.
The big picture: The announcement comes a week after the company unveiled the Ford F-150 Lightning, an all-electric version of America's most popular vehicle model, the Ford F-series pickup truck.
- The company said it expects the bulk of its electric vehicle sales by 2030 will come from the F-150 Lightning, the Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit commercial vans.
Go deeper: Ford's electric F-150 reveal is a pivotal EV moment