Ford Showcases Green Technology At Altwheels ALTWHEELS

"AltWheels is a great opportunity for us to share our vision of “Greener Miles” and show off our alternative fuel technologies," said John Viera, director, Sustainable Business Strategies. "Ford is committed to offering transportation that is affordable in every sense of the word – socially, environmentally, as well as economically. That means safer, cleaner and more energy efficient vehicles and less dependence on foreign oil."

The Ford exhibit offers an opportunity for people to see some of Ford's alternative fuels work on the road now and as possible solutions for the future. Ford is developing different technologies to fit the different needs of its customers, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, bio-fuels, clean-diesel technologies, hydrogen power and cleaner, more efficient gas engines.

Ford developed the world's first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric plug-in, the Ford Edge with HySeries Drive. It combines an on-board hydrogen fuel cell generator with lithium ion batteries to deliver more than 41 mpg with zero emissions. The HySeries technology is designed to be flexible using a hydrogen fuel cell, small gasoline or diesel engine to make electricity.

The Ford Escape E85 Hybrid is the world’s first hybrid vehicle capable of operating on blends of fuel containing as much as 85 percent ethanol, a renewable fuel that can be produced from American-grown corn or sugar beets. Ethanol use releases no fossil-based CO2, so its use in place of gasoline reduces the release of greenhouse gases. If just five percent of the U.S. vehicle fleet were powered by hybrids operating on E85 ethanol, oil imports could be reduced by about 140 million barrels a year. Escape E85 Hybrid produces about 25 percent less carbon dioxide than a gasoline-fueled Escape Hybrid. Ford has produced 20 demonstration E85 hybrids now in use in six states.

Ford was also first to offer a full hybrid SUV, the Ford Escape Hybrid and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the world’s cleanest and most fuel-efficient small SUVs. Two additional full hybrids go into production for the Ford line up next year, Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. Ford holds more than 150 patents on its unique hybrid system.

Earlier this year, Ford and Southern California Edison announced a collaboration to explore ways to commercialize plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles, reduce petroleum-related emissions and improve the cost-effectiveness of the nation’s electricity grid. The partnership will examine the future of PHEVs as part of a complete vehicle, home and grid energy system in a new energy vision for the future.

Ford also offers Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle's (PZEV), including the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Ford Focus. These vehicles produce zero gasoline evaporative emissions, and tailpipe emissions are over 80 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average 2007 model year vehicle. In fact, the Fusion PZEV and Milan PZEV vehicles are so clean, you could drive over 2,000 miles to equal the emissions produced by a 5.4 horsepower lawn mower in just one hour of use.

"We are advancing our progress with a variety of technologies, some on the road today and some that show great promise for the future," said Viera. "We are committed to addressing the twin challenges of climate change and energy independence." -Ford