The addition of the Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids – the largest ever plug-in electrified vehicle deal for the carmaker – will bring GE’s total alternative fuel vehicles to 5,000, making up around 10% of its fleet and forming a key part of its “ecomagination” commitment.

Under the deal Ford will market GE’s electric vehicle charging stations to its customers. In addition, Ford also will supply new alternative fuel vehicles for use at GE's Vehicle Innovation Center at the headquarters of GE's fleet management business in Minnesota.

Ken Czubay, Ford vice president, US Marketing, Sales and Service, said: ‘Ford is launching six new electrified vehicles – a big bet that fuel prices will continue rising and lead to more demand for advanced fuel-efficient vehicles. We are pleased to partner with GE, a company that is charting a similar course, to promote advanced technology and energy savings.’

The two companies will also work with researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology to study GE employee driving and charging habits, with the goal of improving all-electric driving and charging performance.

‘Understanding driving and charging habits is key to advancing vehicle and charging infrastructure,’ says Professor Bert Bras of the Sustainable Design & Manufacturing laboratory at Georgia Tech. ‘Through access to vehicle data, we can accelerate research and development of new technologies to further improve efficiency, driver satisfaction and environmental benefits.’

Study findings will be shared with commercial customers to provide insights and help facilitate deployment of electric vehicles.