As part of the agreement, both fleet and retail customers for the Focus Electric will be offered a Schneider EVLINK charging station, including installation by and a five-year warranty as part of the purchase or leasing package.

The unit allows a full charge of the battery-electric vehicle in just over three hours, Schneider said, in turn offering a range of up to 100 miles. Ford is planning to offer the same package for customers of the forthcoming C-Max plug-in hybrid, which launches in Europe in 2013.

Andreas Ostendorf, Ford of Europe’s vice president of sustainability, environment and safety developments, commented: ‘Together, we are offering drivers and fleet operators a flexible and efficient solution that allows them to charge their vehicles. The foundation for an optimal zero-emissions driving experience.’

Julio Rodriguez, executive vice president of global operations, Schneider Electric, said: ‘Through this partnership we are going to provide every user of an electric car from Ford a simple, efficient and sustainable charging station and developing the market for electric vehicles in Europe continue to push ahead.’