• Britain’s smallest town, Fordwich, challenged to go electric with launch of new Ford Mustang Mach-E
• Residents of Fordwich among the first to get behind the wheel of the new Ford Mustang Mach-E
• Research* shows huge majority of those in small towns (79%) would not feel confident purchasing an EV as their next vehicle

PRETORIA, South Africa, 27 March 2021 – Ford is challenging the population of Fordwich, Britain's smallest town, to switch to electric in the all new, all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E as new research* shows a large majority of those in the countryside (82%), small towns (79%) and villages (76%) would not feel confident purchasing an EV as their next vehicle, if the ban on petrol and diesel cars came in next week.

All 380** residents of the aptly named Fordwich were some of the first to try out the new Mustang Mach-E as they took part in a unique three-day mass test drive around the Kent countryside.

Other findings from the research, taken from Ford’s Go Electric consumer sentiment report, revealed a considerable lack of confidence and information on EVs, particularly in rural areas and small towns such as Fordwich. Just 55% of those living in small towns, villages and the countryside felt they had enough information to make an informed decision about buying an EV compared with 85% of those living in cities, urban areas and large towns.

With the move to electrification gathering pace, Ford recognises the need to take consumers on an electric journey and hopes to inspire confidence by putting the Mustang Mach-E into the hands of Fordwich for them to try it out themselves.

To encourage Fordwich residents to make the switch to electric in the long term, Ford has also partnered with British Gas to install a public charging point in the town. Charging is frequently cited as a critical concern and barrier to EVs, with those in small towns (63%) and the countryside (74%) saying that there aren’t enough charging points.

 “What a fantastic way to get people to try out an electric vehicle. We are so proud of our town and preservation is something that is incredibly important to us so we were keen to see how simple it would be to switch over to a more environmentally friendly vehicle. It’s great to see so many people signed up,” said Philip Lewis, Local Councillor and Mayor of Fordwich.