Ford Motor Company broke
new ground by delivering its first-ever flexible fuel capable plug-in
hybrid SUV to the U.S. Department of Energy.
The Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid, which runs on gasoline or E85, is part
of a demonstration fleet Ford is developing in a partnership with Southern
California Edison and the Electric Power Research Institute. Advanced
testing on the vehicles is underway in California. The Department of Energy
will include the Escape Flexible Fuel Plug-in Hybrid in its fleet to
showcase the marriage of technologies and obtain real world experience with
the vehicle as it continues its support of advanced fuel technologies.
"Plug-in hybrid technology holds great promise to reduce the nation's
dependence on petroleum and reduce CO2 emissions related to climate change,
both significant issues for America," said Mark Fields, President of the
Americas, Ford Motor Company. "As a leader in both hybrid and flexible fuel
technology, Ford is well positioned to bring the two together in a plug-in
vehicle."
The vehicle is equipped with a 10 kilowatt advanced lithium ion energy
battery supplied by Johnson-Controls/Saft that stores enough electric
energy to drive up to 30 miles at speeds of up to 40 mph. When fueled by
E85 ethanol, which has a lower energy content than gasoline, fuel economy
can reach up to 88 mpg in urban driving and up to 50 mpg on the highway.
Based on current estimates, the vehicle would emit 60 percent less CO2 than
a conventional gasoline powered vehicle. That CO2 reduction could reach 90
percent if cellulosic ethanol is used in place of gasoline.
The flexible fuel Escape Plug-in Hybrid runs up to 30 miles at speeds
less than 40 mph in electric mode until the battery's charge is 70 percent
depleted. At higher speeds or when the battery is depleted, the vehicle
switches to traditional hybrid mode - a fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine
assisted by the lithium ion battery. The vehicle leased to the DOE also is
equipped with an innovative interactive vehicle display, which shows the
driver how efficiently the vehicle is operating and calculates the fuel
savings for each trip - part of Ford's efforts to help our customers drive
smart and green.
"There is enormous interest in the country in the electrification of
vehicles," Fields said. "We recognize commercialization of plug-ins,
powered by gasoline or biofuels, may represent part of a long-term energy
solution, but significant challenges remain to bringing this technology to
market."
This vehicle is one of 20 demonstration plug-in hybrids that Ford is
building as part of a collaboration with Southern California Edison and the
Electric Power Research Institute to accelerate the commercialization of
plug- in hybrids. The partnership's goals include the development and
creation of new business models to make plug-in hybrids possible;
development of open architectures, standards and specifications; and a
greater understanding of customer demand based on realistic expectations
and customer usage needs.
"We are moving from an independent set of solutions to an integrated
future. With plug-in hybrids, the automotive and utility industries are
connected by a common fuel with the potential to significantly change our
transportation and energy future," said Nancy Gioia, director of Ford's
Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs.
The first of the Escape Plug-in Hybrid SUV was delivered to Southern
California Edison in December and road testing has begun. The vehicle
delivered to the DOE today represents the first flexible fuel Escape
Plug-in Hybrid developed as part of the partnership.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets
across six continents. With about 228,000 employees and about 90 plants
worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive brands include
Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial
services through Ford Motor Credit Company.
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
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