Ford expands electric vehicle technology as the trend takes hold in Arizona
PHOENIX - Pretty cool new technology from Ford is an example of where the EV world is headed right now.
No hands on the wheel, no feet on the pedals and the car drives just fine.
In a Phoenix parking lot, Ford executives are showing off their latest and greatest in electric vehicles: the F150 Lightning and the Mustang Mach-E.
While nationally, Mach-E sales have grown and Lightning sales have lagged, Arizona is one of their best markets.
"We're up 49% in sales in Arizona alone on this vehicle year over, and F150 Lightning is up 33 percent," said Stacey Ferreira.
Stacey Ferreira is Director of retail sales, execution and innovation with Ford's electric vehicle division. She took FOX 10's Steve Nielsen on a test drive of the Mach-E.
Their self-driving mode is called BlueCruise, and it all starts with just the push of a button in various driving conditions.
The impressive tech comes at a precarious time for the electric vehicle landscape.
Automakers are trying to lure consumers that are resistant to tech. For Ford, that means offering buyers free at-home chargers with free installation.
For people that use it, they easily become adapted to it. It’s just a matter of answering the question of how you get someone who’s never done something before to get over that hurdle of doubting the unknown.
Our state has invested heavily in EVs.
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With Lucid in Casa Grande, Nikola in Coolidge and battery makers all around, Arizona has bought into EV technology. But the incoming Trump administration has suggested scrapping the $7,500 tax credit for EVs.
"I would say if consumers are interested in getting an EV and they think they can take advantage of the tax credit, they still have time in this calendar year to go get that," said Ferriera.
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Behind the wheel, the car goes 0-60 in 3.3 seconds. We confirmed that on an on-ramp.
Stacey says Ford is fully committed to their EV lineup no matter the politics in D.C.
"I don’t have a crystal ball, I can’t see what’s going to happen next year. So, I would say if you want one, now is the perfect time," she said.