Ford Opens First Carbon Neutral Assembly Plant In Germany

Ford opened the Cologne Electric Vehicle Centre, a hi-tech production facility in Germany that will build Ford’s new generation of electric passenger vehicles. Ford has transformed its plant in Niehl, Cologne, which was first founded in 1930, as part of a $2 billion investment.

The 125-hectare site is equipped with a brand-new production line, battery assembly and tooling and automation, enabling an annual production capacity of 250,000+ EVs. The electric Explorer will be the first electric vehicle to be produced in Cologne, followed by a second electric vehicle, a sports crossover.

The Cologne EV Centre will be Ford’s first carbon neutral assembly plant to open globally and supports the company’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality across its entire European footprint of facilities, logistics and direct suppliers by 2035.

For more than 90 years, the Ford plant in Cologne, producing over 18 million cars, has been one of Ford’s most efficient plants worldwide and has enabled freedom of mobility for millions of Europeans across generations.

At the core of the Cologne EV Centre are digital advancements that connect machines, vehicles and workers. Implementing self-learning machines, autonomous transport systems and big data management in real time are integral to improve the efficiency of the production processes and get better over time, assuring high quality.

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