Industrial, Sourcing Renewables  -  June 15, 2023

Ford Opens Cologne EV Center

Ford opened the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center, a German facility that will manufacture its next generation of electric passenger vehicles.

The plant in Niehl was transformed after Ford invested $2 billion, and the 125-hectare site will be able to manufacture at least 250,000 EVs annually. The auto manufacturer's fourth EV, the electric Explorer, which will be the first electric vehicle to be produced in Cologne. The second EV that will be manufactured will be a sports crossover.

The Cologne EV Center is Ford’s first carbon-neutral assembly plant to open globally, helping the company achieve carbon neutrality across its entire European footprint of facilities, logistics and direct suppliers by 2035.

“Opening the Cologne EV Center is the start of a new generation of clean manufacturing and electric vehicles in Europe,” said Bill Ford, Executive Chair, in a statement. “This facility will now be one of the most efficient and environmentally responsible plants in the entire industry. I am thrilled to continue working toward a zero emissions future for our children and grandchildren.”

To achieve carbon neutrality, Ford will reduce the use of energy and emissions in the plant through the installation of new processes, machinery and technologies. All electricity and natural gas used to operate the facility is carbon neutral based on being 100% certified renewable electricity and biomethane.

The heat required to warm the facility and processes is also carbon neutral since the local energy provider will offset the corresponding emissions from the assembly plant. The local energy provider plans to reduce their operating emissions for this heat delivery by approximately 6% in 2026 and eliminate the emissions by 2035. 

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