06 Apr 2010 09:04:12

Ford and Microsoft developing electric car technology

Car manufacturer Ford is working with computer software giant Microsoft to develop new charging technology for electric vehicles.

The two companies want to help electric car owners manage their energy use and make the vehicles cheaper to run.

Their system, called Microsoft Hohm, will use smart meter technology to show motorists when is the best time to recharge their car at the lowest cost.

"For Ford, this is a needed step in the development of the infrastructure that will make electric vehicles viable," said Ford chief executive Alan Mulally.

It is hoped that the energy management application will be ready is time for use with Ford's Focus Electric car next year.

The news comes after it was announced that Nissan is to build its new zero-emission electric vehicle the Nissan Leaf at its Sunderland factory from 2013.

Around 50,000 vehicles will be made at the site each year, which is close to the manufacturer's existing electric car battery plant.

http://www.microsoft-hohm.com/