Ford Europe began mass production of its electric car at its large plant in the western German city of Cologne on Tuesday. The launch had been planned for September last year but was delayed on account of a new standard for the crucial vehicle batteries. Now, the first vehicle is set to be handed over to customers on Tuesday afternoon. The plant will produce the Ford Explorer and a second electric model at the plant. Ford has been assembling cars in Cologne since 1930 and produced its classic compact Ford Fiesta there. Fiesta production came to an end last year amid preparations for the electr…