Ford Motor Company announced today its new 2008 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor will be offered as a flexible fuel vehicle allowing it to operate on E85 ethanol or gasoline.
Ford is the largest producer and seller of police vehicles with more than 80 percent of the market. As police and government agencies move toward becoming more environmentally conscious and seek alternative fuel vehicles for their fleets, Ford is in the position to fill this need for its police customers.
Government agencies that include FFV Police Interceptors on their annual Department of Energy plan can receive credits toward EPACT mandates, increasing their flexibility in vehicle fleet selection and purchases. Fleets can place orders immediately for the E85-powered CVPI, with vehicle production slated to begin in May.
Ford also announced today that it has achieved 50-state certification for all of the Ford and Mercury 2008 flexible fuel passenger car models. Ford's current lineup of FFVs includes the Ford F-150, Crown Victoria and Mercury Grand Marquis.
Achieving 50-state certification means Ford's flexible fuel vehicles meet both emissions rules set by the Federal government, as well as California. The evaporative standards in California create some unique challenges for FFVs. By certifying to both standards, automakers can sell their vehicles nationwide and reduce complexity.
In an effort to differentiate its flexible fuel vehicles from standard gasoline vehicles, Ford will begin equipping the E-85 capable vehicles with yellow gas caps, beginning later this year.
Ford has placed more than two million flexible fuel vehicles on the road, and has pledged to make half of its production capable of running on alternative fuels by 2012, provided the necessary fuel and infrastructure are in place.
Source:
Ford
Digg
Reddit
Slashdot