Ford Motor and Microsoft have teamed up to implement the Microsoft Hohm energy management application for Ford's electric vehicles.
Hohm, an internet-based service, is designed to help customers reduce unnecessary expense by providing insight into their energy usage patterns and suggesting recommendations to increase conservation.
With Ford electric vehicles, Hohm also will help drivers to determine the suitable time to charge their vehicle. This will help utility companies understand and better manage the increased demands placed upon the electric grid because of electrified vehicles, the company said.
The first EV from Ford Motors to use the application will be the Focus Electric. Hohm will help owners determine when and how to recharge battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles.
Ford and Microsoft agree that making energy management easy and affordable for consumers will be key to the success of electric vehicles in the marketplace as well as in creating a positive environmental impact.
Ford and Microsoft also plan to continue to work with utility partners and municipalities to help further develop the energy ecosystem. Ford’s work includes collaboration with a dozen North American energy companies to road-test a fleet of 21 Ford Escape plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Introducing Hohm to Ford’s electric vehicles supports Ford’s global electrification plan, which will put five new electrified vehicles on the road in North America and Europe by 2013. In North America, they include the Transit Connect Electric later this year, Focus Electric in 2011, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and two hybrids in 2012.
Ford Motor at present has four hybrids on the road and another coming this year. They include the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Escape Hybrid, Mercury Milan Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. Also coming this fall is the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.
Alan Mulally, president and CEO of Ford Motor, said: “Ford and Microsoft both share a strong commitment to contributing to a better world. Today, we begin the next major step in our working together and leading the way for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.”