BlueCruise Hands-Free Driving Tech Approved for European Highways
Ford made history in 2023 with the introduction of BlueCruise, 1 our hands-free driving technology that was the first system of its kind to receive regulatory approval in Great Britain.
But that was just the beginning of the BlueCruise story in Europe. Since then, it’s been rolled out across many more European countries, and now we’re taking another big step so that even more drivers can benefit from our game-changing technology.
What is the latest news on Ford BlueCruise in Europe?
Ford is significantly expanding the availability of its BlueCruise hands-free highway driving technology in Europe, introducing it to the Puma, 2 Puma Gen-E, 3 Kuga, 4 and Ranger PHEV 5 models from spring 2026.
This will make the advanced driver assistance system accessible to thousands more customers, building on its initial European launch in the Mustang Mach-E in 2023. Globally, over 1 million BlueCruise-equipped vehicles have already accumulated more than 888 million kilometres (552 million miles) of hands-free driving.
What is Ford BlueCruise and how does it work?
Ford BlueCruise is an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) 6 that allows for "hands-off, eyes-on" highway driving on approved sections of road known as Blue Zones. It builds on Ford’s Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC) 6 by actively controlling steering, acceleration, braking, and lane positioning, while maintaining safe distances from other vehicles. The system monitors road markings, speed signs, and evolving traffic conditions, and can operate from highway speeds down to stop-and-go traffic.
When engaged in a Blue Zone, BlueCruise lets drivers remove their hands from the steering wheel, provided they continue to pay attention to the road ahead. The system uses a combination of radars and cameras to detect and track other vehicles. A forward-facing camera identifies lane markings and speed signs, while a driver-facing camera continuously checks the driver’s eye gaze and head position – even if they are wearing sunglasses – to ensure attentiveness.
Where is BlueCruise available in Europe?
BlueCruise was the first system of its kind to receive regulatory approval in Europe in 2023, initially launching in Great Britain. Since then, its approval has expanded to cover 16 European markets 7 and over 135,000 kilometers (84,000 miles) of designated Blue Zones.
This broad geographic coverage means a driver could, for example, use BlueCruise across six countries on a journey from Stockholm to Rome, covering over 2,000 kilometers (1,500 miles) and enjoy nearly 25 hours of hands-free driving.
What are the benefits of BlueCruise?
Expanding BlueCruise to a wider range of Ford vehicles offers customers enhanced comfort and convenience during long highway journeys. By reducing the fatigue associated with constant steering input, drivers can arrive at their destinations feeling more refreshed and ready for their day.
As Torsten Wey, manager, ADAS features and software, Ford in Europe, explains, "We're committed to putting cutting-edge technology in the hands of more drivers. With BlueCruise now available on five vehicle lines in Europe, we're helping to make hands-free highway driving accessible to a wider array of customers." This expansion underscores Ford's dedication to providing a consistent, quality hands-free driving experience across its diverse vehicle lineup.
When will BlueCruise be available on new models?
BlueCruise will be available on selected new model year Puma, Puma Gen-E, Kuga, and Ranger PHEV vehicles from spring 2026, provided they are equipped with the Driver Assistance Pack. Specific subscription options and pricing details will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Ford models in Europe will offer BlueCruise?
Starting in spring 2026, BlueCruise will be available on selected Puma, Puma Gen-E, Kuga, and Ranger PHEV models, in addition to the Mustang Mach-E.
Do I still need to pay attention while using BlueCruise?
Yes, BlueCruise is a "hands-off, eyes-on" system. While it handles steering and speed, drivers must remain attentive to the road and be prepared to take control at any time.
What are "Blue Zones"?
Blue Zones are pre-mapped, approved sections of highways where BlueCruise can be activated for hands-free driving.
To learn more about BlueCruise, visit: https://www.ford.co.uk/technology/driving-assistance/ford-bluecruise
1 Available in selected countries on selected Puma, Puma Gen-E, Kuga, Ranger PHEV and Mustang Mach-E models. Driver’s eyes must remain on the road ahead to enable use of BlueCruise hands-free driving. It does not replace safe driving.
2 Up to 600 km driving range based on full charge of Mustang Mach-E extended range. Estimated range using Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).
3 Puma EcoBoost Hybrid CO2 emissions 122-146 g/km and fuel efficiency 5.4?6.5 l/100 km WLTP.
4 Up to 376 km driving range based on full charge of Puma Gen-E. Estimated range using Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).
5 Kuga Hybrid homologated CO2 emissions 121-146 g/km and homologated fuel efficiency 5.3-6.4 l/100 km WLTP.
Kuga 1.5-litre EcoBoost Hybrid homologated CO2 emissions 144-178 g/km and homologated fuel efficiency 6.3-7.8 l/100 km WLTP.
Kuga Plug-In Hybrid homologated CO2 emissions, homologated fuel efficiency and electric driving range will be published closer to on sale date.
6 Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid homologated CO2 emissions 143-145 g/km WLTP Euro 6e-bis, homologated fuel efficiency 6.2-6.4 l/100 km WLTP Euro 6e-bis and pure electric driving range up to 43 km WLTP. A range of up to 43 km can be achieved with a fully charged battery - depending on the existing series and battery configuration. The actual range may vary due to various factors (e.g. weather conditions, driving style, route profile, vehicle condition, age and condition of the lithium-ion battery).
7 BlueCruise is currently available for customers with equipped vehicles in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Great Britain (not available in Northern Ireland), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.
