Microsoft’s Sync-in-car technology helps the user to control mobile phones and MP3 players through voice recognition. Nearly two million vehicles of Ford use Sync, based on Microsoft’s Window Embedded Auto Platform. Ford and its upcoming vehicle Focus Electric will be the first one to use Microsoft’s Hohm.
Ford and Microsoft both share a strong commitment to contributing to a better world. Today, we begin the next major step in our working together and leading the way for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability,” said Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company president and CEO. “For Ford, this is a needed step in the development of the infrastructure that will make electric vehicles viable.” Why Microsoft Hohm?
Microsoft Hohm is a free web service that helps to make smarter decisions about saving energy and money. It provides energy saving tips and helps cut costs. “Ford and Microsoft both share a strong commitment to contributing to a better world. Today, we begin the next major step in our working together and leading the way for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.” -- Alan Mulally, Ford Motor Company president and CEO
Hohm completely takes charge of home energy use. This software would help the users to determine the best time for charging their vehicles at home. Besides this, as electric cars would increase the home energy consumption, use of Hohm was considered as the most appropriate choice.
According to Accenture Survey, 42 percent of consumers have preferred to buy hybrid or electric vehicles in the next two years. After teaming up with Microsoft Hohm, Ford has decided to bring five new electric vehicles on road in North America and Europe by 2013. North America launches include Transit Connect Electric car later this year, Focus Electric car in 2011, plug in hybrid electric vehicle and two next generation hybrids in 2012.
Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO, said “Electric vehicles will play an important role in the global effort to improve energy efficiency and address the issues of climate change and sustainability. But as the market for electric vehicles expands, it will have a significant impact on home energy consumption and demand across the nation’s energy grid.
With Microsoft Hohm, Ford and Microsoft will deliver a solution that will make it easier for car owners to make smart decisions about the most affordable and efficient ways to recharge electric vehicles, while giving utilities better tools for managing the expected changes in energy demand. Working together, Ford and Microsoft will provide the systems solutions to help facilitate this exciting future.
