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Reducing Vehicle Emissions

We are committed to making vehicles and technologies accessible to millions of people to help improve lives. But we also acknowledge that climate change is real and that we share a responsibility to address this global challenge.

In our products, as well as in our operations, we are working to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – including investing in powertrain technology and electrification, aerodynamics and weight reduction – to provide our customers with more efficient, lower-impact alternatives.

Cutting Emissions Across Our Portfolio

Responding to the risks and opportunities presented by climate change, our science-based global strategy aims to reduce GHG emissions from our vehicles. It encompasses our Sustainable Technologies and Alternative Fuels Plan to deliver high-quality products that meet consumer demand while also helping to limit future climate change. Our climate change stabilization commitment also aims to reduce GHGs from operational processes.

Through this plan, and working closely with policy makers around the world, we continue to reduce GHG emissions from our vehicles in line with regional “glide paths.” These trajectories define the industry-wide emissions reductions needed to support stabilizing climate change.

We recognize that there’s no single way to improve fuel efficiency and cut vehicle CO2 emissions. That’s why we take a portfolio approach across three areas:

Vehicle

Offering customers the “power of choice” through affordable, accessible lower-carbon options:

  • New engine/transmission technologies
  • Electrical system improvements
  • Aerodynamic improvements
  • Weight reductions
  • Advanced powertrain options
  • Electric vehicles
  • Vehicles powered by alternative fuels

Fuel

Evaluating, developing and introducing vehicles that use fuels with lower fossil-carbon content:

  • Biofuels
  • Electricity
  • Compressed natural gas (CNG)
  • Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
  • Hydrogen

Customer

Customers decide which vehicles and fuels to purchase and how those vehicles will be driven and maintained.

We promote “eco-driving,” providing training, information and vehicle technology to help customers use the least fuel possible.

Our Plan for a More Sustainable Future

For the past nine years, Ford has been following an ambitious plan of vehicle technology and alternative powertrain and fuel actions. By implementing this consistently, we are improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 emissions across our product portfolio.

No one predicted the direction fuel prices would take over recent years. As fuel prices declined, so too has the demand for fuel efficiency, and customers are prioritizing other vehicle attributes such as performance and infotainment. When fuel prices are low, customers tend to be less interested in purchasing vehicles with advanced powertrain technologies that are more fuel-efficient but also more expensive.

Global Technology Migration Path – CO2 Reduction

In Place (2017)

Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
  • EcoBoost® engines widely available
  • Diesel/after-treatment technology to reduce emissions
Alternative Fuels
  • Vehicle and powertrain capability to leverage renewable fuels
  • Flex Fuel Vehicles
  • CNG prepared engines available where demand exists
Energy Management, Electrical Architecture and Efficiency
  • Electric power steering widely available
  • Global migration of battery management systems ongoing
  • Aerodynamic improvements
Transmission and Driveline
  • 6-speed replaces 4- and 5-speed automatic transmissions
Weight Reduction
  • Significant weight reduction programs using conventional materials
Electrification
  • Start–Stop systems introduced
  • Hybrids/Plug-In Hybrids available in >10% of nameplates
  • 20 mile PHEV
  • 76 mile BEV
Fuel Cells
  • First generation automotive fuel cell system complete

Near Term (2020)

Existing Technologies at High Volume

Policy/Mobility
  • Initiate cross-sector GHG mitigation discussions
  • Engage in dialogue with technical and regulatory community on the “end-game” for future local air quality vehicle tailpipe emission standards
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
  • Advanced technologies to improve gasoline engine/EcoBoost® powertrain efficiency and performance
  • Innovation in diesel technology
  • Innovation to meet future local air quality vehicle tailpipe emission standards
Alternative Fuels
  • Expand product capability for renewable fuels
Energy Management, Electrical Architecture and Efficiency
  • Additional aerodynamic improvements
Transmission and Driveline
  • 8+ speed automatic transmissions and advanced driveline technologies widely available
Weight Reduction
  • Significant weight reduction programs using conventional and advanced materials
Electrification
  • Electrification solutions applied to manual transmissions
  • Start–Stop widely available
  • Hybrids/Plug-In Hybrids available in >25% of nameplates
  • 30+ mile PHEV
  • 200+ mile BEV
Fuel Cells
  • Develop second generation fuel cell technologies

Mid Term (2025)

Reduce Weight and Expand Electrification

Policy/Mobility
  • Introduction of autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies
  • Introduction of commercial vehicle (CV) advanced technologies
  • Introduction of smart mobility technologies
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
  • Expand and optimize gasoline engine/EcoBoost® technologies in conjunction with electrified and alternative fuel applications and improved fuel properties
  • Further develop diesel technology to enhance capability and affordability in key vehicle segments
Alternative Fuels
  • Develop diesel/gasoline technologies compatible with low-carbon/renewable fuels
Energy Management, Electrical Architecture and Efficiency
  • Develop intelligent energy management technologies, e.g., waste heat recovery
Transmission and Driveline
  • Further develop electrified transmission and driveline technologies
Weight Reduction
  • Continued weight reduction using advanced materials
Electrification
  • More efficient hybrid-specific engines
  • Expand electrified driveline and transmission technologies
  • Hybrids/Plug-In Hybrids available in >50% of nameplates
  • Expand BEV volume
Fuel Cells
  • Develop affordable fuel cell powertrain solutions for high-volume applications

Long Term (2030+)

Electrification/Alternative Fuels at High Volume

Policy/Mobility
  • Improve sustainability by integrating vehicle technologies, low-carbon/renewable fuels and Smart Mobility solutions
  • Engage in cross-sector GHG mitigation projects
Internal Combustion Engine (ICE)
  • Continue optimizing engine technologies for electrified applications
  • Identify and incorporate advanced technologies that are compatible and synergistic with low-carbon/renewable fuels
Alternative Fuels
  • Evolve technologies in response to progress in low-carbon/renewable fuels
Transmission and Driveline
  • Expand functionality of transmission and driveline technologies in support of next-generation electric vehicles
Weight Reduction
  • Lightweight material models applied to global platforms
Electrification
  • Next-generation Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and BEV technologies (lighter, smaller, reduced cost, improved functionality)
  • Continued expansion of all-electric vehicles across portfolio
Fuel Cells
  • Align fuel cell migration with fuels/infrastructure availability