Ford is showcasing the Ford Edge HySeries, a fuel cell hybrid concept vehicle with plug-in capability, and the Ford Escape Hybrid, a gasoline-electric engine hybrid production vehicle at Challenge Bibendum 2007, a global gathering focused on cutting-edge sustainable auto technology.

Susan Cischke, Ford Motor’s senior vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, will discuss with Chinese and foreign government officials and industry experts how to accelerate the introduction of new energy and new technology to the market.

As a global auto industry leader, Ford is developing a portfolio of advanced energy technologies including clean diesel, flexible fuel, bio-fuel, hybrid power, hybrid plug-in, hydrogen internal combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells. The two models participating in Challenge Bibendum 2007 in Shanghai are leading examples of these new technologies.

Edge HySeries

The 2007 Ford Edge HySeries is the world’s first drivable fuel cell hybrid electric concept vehicle with plug-in capacity. It combines a hydrogen fuel cell generator with a lithium ion storage battery. The use of a hybrid power train reduces the size, weight, cost and complexity of the cell system to less than half, with an expected doubling of battery life.

The vehicle’s fuel economy level for city driving is 5.74 liters/100 km. Drivers covering fewer than 80 miles a day can achieve a reduced average fuel economy performance of 2.94 liters/100 km.

Escape Hybrid

Ford’s Escape Hybrid, the world’s first commercially produced hybrid SUV, was launched in 2004, and is still the cleanest and most fuel-efficient hybrid SUV. As a full hybrid vehicle, the Escape Hybrid automatically switches between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power or a combined operation to maximize efficiency and performance. It delivers superior fuel efficiency and emission reductions. The Escape hybrid provides approximately 80 percent better fuel economy in city driving than the conventional V-6 Escape. It is also extremely clean to operate, 99 percent cleaner on average than an unregulated vehicle. The vehicle can be 100% electrically powered when driven at under 48 km/hour, and can be recharged by capturing braking energy, which maximizes fuel economy making it particularly suitable for traffic-heavy cities where vehicles need to start and stop frequently.

Advanced technologies

As part of the Challenge Bibendum event in Shanghai, the Ford Edge HySeries and the Escape Hybrid will feature in various technology competitions and test drives held in the main site of Challenge Bibendum in Jiading from 14th - 16th November. The public can experience the cars’ world-leading performance in Pudong Century Avenue and the open air square outside the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum on the afternoon of 17th November.

Cischke emphasized the importance of a country-specific clean technology roadmap for China. “Ford Motor Company has developed a range of advanced technologies and is constantly exploring new technologies. Resources, policies and driving demand should be fully considered in the course of the market introduction of a new technology.”

“We are working closely with related organizations and enterprises in China, using a systematic and scientific approach to develop the most effective new energy technologies for the Chinese market. Once ready, we will provide Chinese consumers with the most suitable products as quickly as we can.”

Consumer guidance

Cischke cited the importance of working with all the key players in the Chinese market: “It is crucial for related enterprises to be involved, and for the government to give guidance to help us get new energy and new technologies to the market.

As a pioneer in sustainable clean energy technology since the 1970s, Ford Motor invests about US$7.5 billion a year in research and development, much of it clean and alternative fuel technology. The company has a strategic development roadmap that focuses on the most cost effective technology to improve CO2 emissions and significantly improve fuel economy while maintaining customer priorities.

In the near term, Ford will move to better leverage existing technologies to boost our internal combustion engineers fuel economy with technologies such as direct injection and turbo charging. We will also introduce new transmission technologies; expand application of electric power assisted steering and battery management systems.

In the midterm, a critical part of the Ford strategy will focus on weight reduction. We will also expand our hybrid line up and use diesels as the market demands. Longer term, Ford’s strategy includes a higher volume application of advanced technologies such as plug-in hybrids and fuel cells. -Ford