Ford Pro, Number One in Class 1-7 EV Trucks and Vans, is Leading Connectivity

Ford Pro, the commercial division of Ford Motor Company, has made remarkable strides in the last two years, announcing a 40% increase in connected commercial vehicles. Now, a total of 5.2 million connected commercial vehicles are in operation worldwide, cementing Ford’s position as a leader in the industry.

This growth is built upon the foundation of Ford’s 40-year legacy as America’s commercial vehicle leader, a legacy that continues to thrive in 2024 with Ford being recognized as the No. 1 brand for Class 1-7 electric trucks and vans. By offering a wide range of powertrain options—gas, diesel, hybrid, and electric—Ford provides its customers with the flexibility to choose the right vehicle for their specific needs.

The connected vehicles in Ford’s commercial fleet allow for seamless communication with the internet, cloud services, and a variety of devices such as electric vehicle chargers and dashcams. The data generated from these connected vehicles has been a game changer for fleet operators, offering valuable insights that can significantly improve fleet mobility, efficiency, and uptime. Ford Pro solutions bring this data together in a comprehensive view, helping fleet managers monitor everything from components and sensors to dashcams and chargers, enabling them to run a safer and more efficient fleet.

“The demand for data about commercial vehicles is rapidly growing,” said Dave Prusinski, chief revenue officer, Ford Pro Integrated Services. “Acknowledging that our fleet customers operate a variety of powertrains, makes and models, we are committed to ensuring our software solutions are compatible across all types. We’re maximizing the value of connectivity across every layer of fleet management to boost uptime.” 

The impact of this connected data has already proven beneficial for fleet managers. Through the use of Ford Pro Telematics software, which incorporates In-Vehicle Coaching, fleet managers have seen significant improvements in driver behavior and vehicle efficiency. For instance, there has been a 25% reduction in instances of speeding and a decrease of 16% in hard braking and 11% in hard acceleration. These improvements contribute to reduced vehicle wear and tear, extending the life of the fleet. Additionally, there has been a dramatic 73% drop in drivers not using their seatbelts, alongside a 52% reduction in excessive idling. These changes are not only enhancing safety but also leading to fuel savings, making the overall operation more cost-effective.

“The insights provided by our solutions can help improve driving practices and help fleet managers make more proactive decisions, like coaching drivers to idle less in their vehicles or adhere to speed limits better. And if necessary, enhance their control of the vehicle,” said Prusinski. 

However, the future of fleet management is only becoming more advanced. Until now, fleet managers had a limited, one-way line of communication with their vehicles through telematics. But Ford Pro is set to unveil new capabilities that will further revolutionize fleet management by allowing fleet managers to not only receive data from vehicles but also send commands back to them. These capabilities will be available later this year and include several exciting new features.

One such feature is the Top Speed Limiter, which will allow fleet managers to set a maximum speed limit for their fleet vehicles remotely. This will help mitigate speeding violations and improve driver behavior. The feature, available in Ford Pro Telematics software, will be compatible with model year 2022 and newer F-150 Lightning trucks and 2023 and newer Super Duty trucks.

Another anticipated feature is the Acceleration Limiter, which will give fleet managers the ability to control vehicle acceleration remotely. This can help reduce wear and tear on vehicles and ensure more consistent driving behaviors across the fleet. Also coming later this year is the Fleet Start Inhibit feature, which will provide fleet managers with the ability to prevent unauthorized vehicle use by disabling the engine remotely. This feature will help combat theft and misuse, offering added peace of mind to fleet operators. It will be available on various models, including 2023 and newer F-Series Super Duty trucks, 2024 F-150 gas and hybrid trucks, and the 2024 Transit and E-Transit vans.

In addition to these new capabilities, Ford Pro already offers the Remote Lock/Unlock feature, allowing fleet managers to lock or unlock any Ford vehicle remotely through Ford Pro Telematics software. This feature ensures that fleet managers maintain virtual command and control over their vehicles at all times.

With these innovative solutions, Ford Pro is continuing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in fleet management. By offering enhanced control, real-time data, and smarter capabilities, Ford is not just improving the way fleet managers operate but also setting a new standard for the future of connected commercial vehicles.

Boston Electrifies City Fleet

A decade after the City of Boston, MA embarked on its fleet electrification journey, starting with the Ford Focus Electric hatchback in 2014, the city’s Central Fleet now boasts 82 electric vehicles (EVs) from a variety of makes and models, including Ford’s F-150 Lightning trucks, E-Transit vans, and Mustang Mach-E SUVs, alongside the earlier Ford Focus Electric hatchbacks. This marks a significant leap for Boston, as the city continues to build a greener and more sustainable transportation system for its municipal operations.

The path to electrification, however, wasn’t without its learning curve. According to Robert Pardo, Boston’s Central Fleet Director, the city’s approach to fleet electrification has been guided by a practical mindset. The city began by introducing electric vehicles into its shared motor pool program, a system where light-duty municipal vehicles are parked at Central Fleet and made available for city departments to access as needed. This gradual introduction of electric vehicles into a low-risk, highly adaptable system helped the fleet gain traction, especially as it allowed the city to test the vehicles in real-world conditions without a major upfront commitment.

Pardo’s strategy centered on starting small, gathering valuable data, and scaling the fleet incrementally. By observing how these electric vehicles were utilized within predictable ranges and usage conditions, the city could fine-tune its approach before expanding its electric fleet. The vehicles were primarily used for tasks like code enforcement and parking enforcement, where the predictable range and daily usage demands fit well with electric vehicle capabilities.

“These vehicles see daily use from multiple staff members,” Pardo explained. “We track usage data like daily drivers, mileage, charging times, and battery depletion as well as auxiliary functions like heating to assess electric vehicle performance.” 

EVinfo.net’s Take

At EVinfo.net, we commend Ford Motor Company and its commercial division, Ford Pro, for supporting EV adoption, along with courageous, forward-thinking leaders in the City of Boston, such as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. Electrification is growing fast throughout the world’s transportation system, bringing cleaner air and vast cost and efficiency savings. The commercial vehicle sector is a vital part of this global eco-friendly and cost-saving movement. EVinfo.net is encouraged to see valiant, iconic, all-American companies such as Ford lead in this regard. Ford is one of America’s leading automakers, offering good-paying jobs and contributing significantly to the economy.

EVinfo.net recommends high-quality EVs by Ford, Hyundai/Kia, Rivian, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, GM, Porsche, Volkswagen, Lucid Motors, Audi, Mini Cooper, Polestar, Volvo, Jeep, and Honda.

Rivian offers two fantastic commercial electric van models, the Delivery 500 and Delivery 700.

Now, more than ever, companies such as Ford who are driving EV adoption must be supported and championed in these challenging times. To learn more about the expanded suite of solutions from Ford Pro, visit FordPro.com.