Essentials To Know Before You Buy An EV

There's no doubt that the future of driving is electric, but during these years of transition away from gas, there's a choice to be made when buying a vehicle. Should you buy an all-electric model or a hybrid? Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and the current Ford lineup includes models to suit both options. Here's what you need to know about Ford's EV range now available in Brampton.

Choosing a Hybrid

A hybrid vehicle is based around a traditional gas engine but supplements the output with one or more electric motors. The simplest hybrid models are driven in exactly the same way as a regular gas-powered car, with the electric motor topping up the output to reduce fuel costs and provide a little extra power along the way.

The more advanced version of hybrid technology is known as PHEV, short for Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle. These hybrids can usually be driven in an all-electric mode with zero gas use or emissions and can be plugged into a regular charging station to top up the battery. PHEVs have a relatively low all-electric range, often around the 40-50km mark, but can be switched to regular gas-driving mode when the charge runs out.

If you mainly drive for short distances, you may be able to use a plugin hybrid in all-electric mode for most of the time, with zero emissions and powerful electric acceleration, while still having the gas option in reserve for longer journeys.

Choosing an All-Electric Vehicle

All-electric vehicles are more common and capable than ever before, with the technology advancing in leaps and bounds with every new vehicle that hits the market. As the name suggests, all-electric vehicles remove the gas engine entirely and are powered purely by either one or two electric motors.

All-electric vehicles have larger batteries than hybrids and can be driven for much longer on a single charge, with today's typical ranges heading north of 500km. What's more, charging times have been greatly reduced over the last couple of years, with the capacity to add 100km or so of range in only a few minutes.

All-electric vehicles tend to be powerful with excellent acceleration and are increasingly popular for this reason alone. However, if you regularly drive long journeys in areas where charging stations are still relatively rare, a fully electric car might not be the most convenient choice.

Current Ford Electric Models

Ford produces hybrid and fully electric models across their entire range of SUVs and trucks, and here are their most popular models on sale today.

Ford Escape Hybrid

The Escape is Ford's hugely popular SUV, aimed directly at family drivers and boasting a great combination of power, comfort, and technology. The lineup now includes hybrid and plugin hybrid models, both pairing a 2.5L gas engine with dual electric motors to deliver a forceful 221 horsepower. But the beauty of the hybrid powertrain shows through in the fuel economy figures, which reach as low as 5.3L / 100km in the city, making the Escape an incredibly affordable and eco-friendly choice.

Beyond the powertrain, the Escape also offers a high level of interior technology, with highlights including a 12.3" infotainment touchscreen, and advanced safety systems including forward collision warnings with automated emergency braking.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Mustang name is rightly famed for its history of high-powered 'muscle cars', but the Mustang Mach-E is a departure from that tradition. With its sleek SUV body and high-performance powertrain, the Mach-E is a fully electric car that sets new standards for crossover power. Up to 480 horsepower and 634lb-ft of torque are available in the high-end models, although regular drivers will be more than satisfied with the maximum 346hp and 428lb-ft found in the mainstream trims. And what's more, as an all-electric car, the Mustang Mach-E delivers its immense power with a quiet smoothness that needs to be experienced to be believed.

Ford F-150 Electric and Hybrid

The F-150 is Ford's workhorse pickup and the best-selling vehicle of all time in North America. Its extensive range of models now includes a plugin hybrid and an all-electric model, increasing the F-150's famed versatility even more. The hybrid option pairs a 3.5L V6 engine with electric technology to produce a mammoth 430 horsepower and 570lb-ft of torque, and the truck is also able to power external tools from its battery. The all-electric F-150 Lightning goes even further, with a maximum output of 563 horsepower, a driving range of up to 480km, and a towing capacity reaching 4,545kg.

Explore EV Vehicles in Brampton

Are you ready to make the move into the electric future? Whether you want the low-emissions convenience of a hybrid or the ultra-clean power of a fully electric car, we have the Ford model for you at our Brampton dealership. Call us now to book a test drive, and experience the latest in electric driving technology for yourself.