I'm assuming that Ford are going to accelerate their BEV development now the cut-off is even closer, and assuming they do, my next car could well be electric. But here's the thing, will I be able to get an electric Fiesta ST or Focus RS?

Right now Ford offer 2 HEVs (which is a technology with no future after the latest announcement), and the BEV Mustang (which isn't a Mustang) is available for pre-order. Will they start to offer BEV versions of their core range? VW manage it with the Golf, so its definitely possible to offer it in the same platform . My round trip commute is 40 miles so range isn't a problem, and I'm intending keeping my 2016 Fiesta ST for at least another 5 years, so there's time for Ford to get into gear, but the thing is, I don't want a boring car. And branding it something it isn't doesn't fool me either. What do you think - will Ford Performance embrace BEVs, or will I need to leave the brand to find something equivalent to what I have now? Electric Golf GTI anyone?

VW seem to be getting ahead of the game on this:

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/vw-build-range-hot-electric-gtx-models

 

6 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

VW seem to be getting ahead of the game on this:

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/vw-build-range-hot-electric-gtx-models

Sort of, although why does it have to have stupid futuristic wheels and lights all over it? Why can't a GTX look exactly like a GTI, just with an electric motor? That I would buy...

Aren’t Ford using/sharing/working with VW on electric platforms?

I’m going to miss ICE and manual gearboxes, but I’m sure we can still have fun cars, max torque from 0 rpm should be fun. 
 

My main issue is no way to charge it at home. Infrastructure is going to be the main issue until they come up with 5 min charges like a fuel fill up. Battery tech, charging time and infrastructure has a way to go.

 

Electric  vehicles don’t need to look like their ICE counter parts as you don’t have the same packaging. It’s better we have the best type of packaging for the electric car imo. Shorter bonnet for a start. 

8 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

Aren’t Ford using/sharing/working with VW on electric platforms?

Yes, VW are looking to share with other manufacturers to spread the costs of electrification:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/volkswagen-group-is-willing-to-share-electric-car-tech-with-other-automakers-report/

16 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

I’m going to miss ICE and manual gearboxes, but I’m sure we can still have fun cars, max torque from 0 rpm should be fun.

...

Electric  vehicles don’t need to look like their ICE counter parts as you don’t have the same packaging. It’s better we have the best type of packaging for the electric car imo. Shorter bonnet for a start. 

Yes, BEVs can totally be sporty, but I want a hot hatch with an electric motor, not some sort of bonkers concept car that says "hey, look at me, I'm all futuristic with my electric car". If you look at the current e-Golf, it looks like a Golf. I want Ford to do that, then turn the motor up to 11 and give it an ST or RS body kit and interior.

27 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

Electric  vehicles don’t need to look like their ICE counter parts as you don’t have the same packaging. It’s better we have the best type of packaging for the electric car imo. Shorter bonnet for a start. 

Actually I rather like the look of the VW ID3 and the Tesla Model 3, but would prefer to see something approaching a normal dash layout, rather than a massive touch screen for all functions. Sporty looking it isn't.

Quite like the look of this performance ID concept:

 

Now this is what I'm talking about. Okay, at £200k it's a bit out of my price bracket, and it's not a Ford, but you get the idea. Electric cars don't have to look futuristic.

https://petrolicious.com/articles/a-company-you-never-heard-of-is-building-an-electric-version-of-the-classic-porsche-911

Oh, and for the record Ford, this is an electric Mustang.

https://charge.cars/