Skip to main content

Move over, Tesla: Ford opening up portfolio of electric-vehicle patents

Ford Focus Electric
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Car companies don’t always play nice — but when they do, it’s usually over electric vehicles.

Just as Tesla did last year, Ford has announced that it will open its portfolio of electric-vehicle technology patents to competitive automakers to “accelerate industry-wide research and development.” As of this month, the Dearborn, Michigan brand owns more than 650 EV-related patents, all of which will be available for other manufacturers to mull over soon. Another 1,000 or so are currently pending.

“Innovation is our goal,” Kevin Layden, Ford’s Director of Electrification Programs, told Digital Trends. “The way to provide the best technology is through constant development and progress. By sharing our research with other companies, we will accelerate the growth of electrified-vehicle technology and deliver even better products to customers.”

Currently, Ford Motor Company offers six hybrid or fully electric vehicles: the Ford Focus Electric (pictured), Ford Fusion Hybrid, Ford Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, Ford C-Max Hybrid, Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.

For such a large and competitive company, a move like this is quite rare. In an industry that sees foes fight tooth and nail for their slice of the market, it’s nice to see an automaker give up some control for the sake of the big picture — albeit at a cost. Unlike Tesla, Ford’s patents will be available for purchase, while Tesla’s were free and unrestricted.

“As an industry, we need to collaborate while we continue to challenge each other,” continued Layden. “By sharing ideas, companies can solve bigger challenges and help improve the industry.”

Ford has also announced that it will hire an additional 200 electrified vehicle engineers in 2015 to support a newly dedicated facility.

Editors' Recommendations

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Ford recalls more than half a million SUVs over fire risk
2021 ford bronco sport review hero image

Ford has recalled more than half a million Escape and Bronco Sport SUVs in the U.S. due to a fire risk. Around 114,000 of the vehicles in other countries are also affected.

The issue centers on a faulty fuel injector and affects 2020 through 2023 Escapes (333,342 U.S. vehicles in all), and 2021 through 2023 Bronco Sports (188,436 U.S. vehicles in all) that come with a 3-cylinder, 1.5-liter engine.

Read more
Ford recalls 100,000 hybrid cars over fire risk
2020 ford escape review se sport hybrid

Ford has recalled around 100,000 hybrid vehicles over a fire risk.

The affected automobiles include some Corsair and Escape SUVs of model years 2020 to 2022, and a number of Maverick compact pickups from the same period. All have 2.5-liter hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric engines.

Read more
Tesla recalls 130,000 U.S. vehicles over touchscreen safety issue
tesla wants youtube on touchscreens touchscreen

Tesla is recalling 129,960 of its electric cars in the U.S. over an issue with the touchscreen that could result in the device overheating or losing its image.

This is considered a safety issue as the display provides a feed from the rearview camera, as well as settings linked to the vehicle’s windshield defrosters. It also shows if the vehicle is in drive, neutral, or reverse. Tesla said it isn't aware of any crashes, injuries, or deaths linked to the issue.

Read more