Ford celebrated the opening of its first carbon-neutral assembly plant on Earth in Cologne, Germany, on Monday. The plant will exclusively focus on the production of electric vehicles, commencing with the new European Explorer.
“Opening the Cologne EV Center is the start of a new generation of clean manufacturing and electric vehicles in Europe,” said Bill Ford, Ford’s executive chairperson. “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.”
The new Cologne Electric Vehicle Center is located in Ford’s historic plant in the city of Niehl. This plant, which was first opened in 1930, has seen over 18 million vehicles manufactured, including notable models such as the Model A, the Capri, and the Fiesta.
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As a result of a $2 billion investment from Ford, the 125-hectare site now boasts a brand-new production line, battery assembly facility, and state-of-the-art tooling, all meticulously designed to maximize manufacturing efficiency.
By the end of 2026, Ford anticipates its production capacity at the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center to exceed 250,000 vehicles per year. Alongside the new Volkswagen-based Explorer, the American automaker plans to introduce another vehicle described as a “sports crossover” in the near future.
“The Cologne EV Center signals the start of a new era for Ford in Europe,” said Martin Sander, general manager of Ford Model e Europe. “We are once again redefining auto manufacturing, implementing advanced technologies to build fully connected, software-defined vehicles that meet our customers’ demand for zero emission mobility.”
Ford promises that the plant will use new connected machines to make vehicles more efficiently and help workers. This includes the utilization of collaborative robots and augmented reality technology, which will assist workers and facilitate improved data exchange within the manufacturing process.
Furthermore, Ford has signed agreements with its suppliers to ensure that all energy used to power the plant will be carbon-neutral. Heat will be supplied by a waste incineration plant, renewable electricity will be sourced from certified renewable biomethane, and any remaining carbon emissions that cannot be avoided will be offset.
“The carbon-neutral Cologne EV Center is a leading automotive industry showcase for the switch from traditional auto manufacturing to electric vehicle production,” said Sander. “The facilities and processes have been designed by our engineers to maximize efficiency and minimize environmental impact, helping Ford become carbon-neutral in Europe and supporting our global decarbonization plan.”
