Ford Motor Co. said it plans to retire up to $5 billion in high-interest debt and tap into the fast-growing market for “green” bonds to help it finance new electric vehicles (EVs) and expand credit to customers with lower scores. Ultimately, the automaker aims to regain an investment grade rating for itself and Ford Credit, its captive financing arm, which in turn would lower the cost of future borrowing. In a media briefing, Treasurer Dave Webb said the company is making a cash tender for “COVID bonds” at 8 percent to 9.5 percent interest that it issued in April 2020, at the start of the global pandemic. Ford expects initially to offer a $1 billion green bond at 3.5 percent to 4 percent interest, to replace some of the high-coupon bonds and to supplement the zero-interest convertible debt it issued earlier this year. Part of the money will help fund …