Ford to use Microsoft's Hohm car charging app
updated 05:05 pm EDT, Wed March 31, 2010
Ford, Microsoft team-up on Hohm energy app
Microsoft and Ford early on Wednesday announced that Ford will be the first to use Microsoft's Hohm energy management app for its electric vehicles. The first vehicle in Ford's stable to take advantage of the technology will the Focus Electric in 2011. Hohm will assist owners on when and how to most efficiently recharge their battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), so as to put the least amount of burden on the electrical grid.
The Internet-based Hohm service is free and now available, and is meant to improve conservation habits as they pertain to energy use in the home. It will tell drivers when to best charge their vehicle.
Ford has plans to release five of what it calls electrified vehicles in the North American and European markets. The Transit Connect Electric van will arrive in 2010 stateside, with the Focus Electric in 2011, while a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and next-generation hybrids are due in 2012. A Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is also expected this fall, though this vehicle isn't likely to require being plugged in.
