Why a country and a brand that are emblems of cars are now betting heavily on electric cars

For any car lover, there are emblematic places and irreplaceable. Maranello, Stuttgart and detroit They are probably the most famous and representative, as they are the homes of Ferrari, Mercedes and the big three of the North American industry: Ford, General Motors and Chryslerwhich today is part of Stellantis after its merger with Fiat 9 years ago, in October 2014.

Although its present is far from its rich industrial history for the automotive world, Detroit is still considered the “World capital of the automotive industry”. There he was born Ford Tthe first mass-produced and mass-market car in the world, and its almost 2 million inhabitants had, directly or indirectly, a relationship with the world of cars.

However, In Michigan it's rising, or trying to emerge to be more precise, a new production and development pole that has electricity and technology as the essential bases of the cars of the future. during the past Detroit Auto Showan extensive conversation between a group of Argentine journalists with Darren PalmerVice President of Ford Model e, the exclusive division for electric mobility of the oval, allows us to discover the reasons for this commitment in a market in which, if only by tradition, oil engines should be the bastion Let everyone defend at all costs.

But even if everyone agreed that The problem is fossil fuel, there are also sustainable mobility options that maintain internal combustion engines but run on hydrogen or synthetic fuels.

However, the choice is electricityand Palmer, from his position as an expert, is the right person to respond regarding some controversial issues of this technology. Some are ideas or prejudices without further arguments. Others have a scientific basis but there is an answer to be heard.

“If we didn't believe this was the best option, we wouldn't have invested $12.5 billion in the largest factory I've ever seen in Tennessee.(Blue Oval City SK) with three battery plants to produce hundreds of thousands of electric trucks,” Palmer begins.

The Ford executive does not skimp on enthusiasm, his passion for this technology leads him to take a shortcut and try to make himself understood with an example from everyday life, far from electric cars. “I do this exercise when we have to talk about electric mobility. I usually ask anyone who has ever driven an electric car to raise their hand. And I have proven that Less than 5% of people raise their hands. So this is what I learned,” Palmer said.

“It's like an iPhone. When they came out, I saw it and said: I know what it is, but I need a keyboard. I know what it is. But then someone said to me, 'It's amazing, you should watch it.' So I walked into a store, picked one out, and played with it for 20 minutes.. I went out and checked that I thought I knew, but I didn't know anything. I bought it and a week later I knew I would never leave it again. It's the same with electric cars. In the United States people usually have a couple of cars. So it is not for all uses, everywhere and all the time. But they solve it in other ways. However, 98% will never stop having the electric car”he assured.

“Humans are so resistant to change that all they see are barriers. With the electric car, all kinds of proposals are made to justify their refusal to change. The charger, What happens if it is cold or if it rains, if it can catch fire. All things that you forget after a month of using one.”

Palmer explained that in winter the car's temperature is adjusted every morning and that it loses less than 5% of autonomy. always talking about Michigan, a city where temperatures usually reach 20 degrees below zero. “And my F-150 Lightning is too big and stays outside. But still, it preheats the battery to 15 or 16C, which brings it into its optimal range, and then preheats the car. So when I go in I hardly use any energy to heat the car and the battery. It's already optimal. So the whole fear that it won't work in the cold is a complete myth”, he said.

The argument continues to move on to other topics less important than autonomy, such as comfort or the sensation you feel when traveling in an electric car.

“It's faster than most muscle cars ever sold. It's faster than most Shelbys ever were. But also It is completely silent. I accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h and it's all silence,” Palmer said.

Battery life It is another topic that is always discussed. Not for nothing, manufacturers suggest charging between 20% and 80%. Here enters the conversation Klauss Mello, a Brazilian engineer who has worked on the development of the Ford F-150 Lightning and resides in Dearborn as he works at the Ford Motor Company headquarters.

“We ensure a 10-year battery warranty, and this means that users can charge them with all types of chargers: domestic, higher-power public chargers and superchargers. Charging the batteries with high power does not harm the lifespan. On the other hand, we do recommendation to take them up to 80% and not 100 percent. The maximum charging capacity is recommended only for travel, but battery technology changes and evolution is permanent. Always charging at high-speed stations is no longer a problem,” he said when asked by Infobae.

The answer remained latent as to why not make cars with thermal engines and propel them with e-fuels.

“The high cost will change over time, but a car with a combustion engine will require maintenance, makes noise, emits gases and is inefficient. I like noise too. I have a Mustang Ran incredible and very analog car with which I make manual changes. But it's slow. It just feels slow after driving my F-150 Lightning”he commented between laughs.

"I do not quit to comfort, efficiency, speed, silence, not having to go to the workshop and service stations. I will not resign to all that for 15 or 20 minutes I have to stop every time I take a long trip. "It's ridiculous," the Ford executive concluded.