AN MP marvelled at the progress made by electric vehicles at a recent Ford launch.

Stephen Metcalfe, MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, attended the launch of Ford’s all-electric Explorer SUV at the Outernet in London’s West End.

Ford Europe is repositioning itself as an electric car brand with aims to become fully electric by 2030. The new Explorer is a central part of this mission.

Mr Metcalfe, who met with Ford chiefs to learn how the government could better support electric vehicles, said: “I was very pleased to have been invited to attend the launch of Ford’s new Explorer.

It just shows you how much the automotive sector is changing – who would have thought, 10 years ago, that the Ford Explorer would now be a completely electric vehicle with a range of over 300 miles and a charging time of 25 minutes.

“It is extraordinary to see the engineering progress made on EVs.”