Migration to Alternative Fuels and Powertrains

We are currently developing and testing plug-in hybrids in preparation for bringing them to market in 2012. PHEVs are similar to HEVs in that they are equipped with both an electric battery and a gas-powered engine. Unlike today's hybrids, however, PHEVs are equipped with a high-capacity battery that can be charged from a private household or public electric outlet. In addition, while regular HEVs maintain a roughly constant battery charge, plug-in hybrids discharge the battery while driving to provide additional fuel savings. PHEVs have the potential to reduce tailpipe emissions to near zero when running on battery power. However, the vehicle's overall life-cycle emissions depend on the electrical power source and the performance characteristics of the vehicle. PHEVs could be significantly less expensive for consumers to operate because they allow drivers to travel on grid-based electricity stored in batteries instead of more costly gasoline.

In 2007, Ford committed to a collaborative project with Southern California Edison to develop a fleet of plug-in hybrid Ford Escapes as part of a PHEV demonstration project. The project seeks to provide real-world usage data and to understand critical implementation issues, including the vehicle-utility interface, the impact of plug-ins on utility operations and emissions, and the value to users, utility companies and vehicle manufacturers. Since the project began, numerous organizations have joined the partnership and helped to evaluate our PHEVs in different geographical locations. These partners include the Electric Power Research Institute, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the New York Power Authority, American Electric Power, ConEdison of New York, DTE Energy, National Grid, Progress Energy, Southern Company-Alabama Power, Pepco Holdings and Hydro Quebec. For more information on some of the key learnings generated by this collaboration so far, please see Electrification: A Closer Look.

In 2008, Ford also announced a program with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to identify a sustainable pathway toward accelerated, successful mass production of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The program includes a three-year demonstration project with a vehicle fleet deployed by DOE and energy partners to collect real-world battery performance data and evaluate PHEV and grid performance. Ford was awarded a $10 million contract by DOE in support of this work. In 2008 and 2009, Ford deployed 20 vehicles with its utility partners and DOE.

The PHEV demonstration fleet uses a blended, or parallel, hybrid configuration. Parallel hybrids can be propelled by an electric motor or a gasoline internal combustion engine, or both can work together seamlessly to provide the most efficient combination. This parallel system enables flexibility and efficiency in battery sizing while maximizing battery life and investment.

In early 2010, Ford announced that we are partnering with Microsoft on a new energy management software that will help customers determine when and how to most efficiently and affordably recharge BEVs and PHEVs. For more information on this technology, please see Electrification: A Closer Look.

The Plug-In Hybrid Escapes demonstration vehicles have two distinct operational modes: charge depletion and charge sustaining. In charge depletion mode, which is used when the high-voltage battery is above a predetermined state of charge, the vehicle will draw the majority of the power required for operation from the battery. During normal driving, this usually translates into full-electric operation when the vehicle is traveling less than roughly 40 mph. When the power demand of the driver exceeds the power output capacity of the high-voltage battery, the gasoline engine will automatically start up to provide the difference. However, even when the engine is used to supplement power while in charge depletion mode, the battery still provides the vast majority of the power required to propel the vehicle, giving the driver a sense that the engine is merely idling, even at highway speeds.

In charge sustaining mode, which is used when the high-voltage battery is below a predetermined state of charge, the vehicle will rely mainly on the engine to meet the driver's power demand. The high-voltage battery will be charged during braking events and discharged during acceleration events to improve the overall fuel economy of the vehicle – similar to the operation of today's conventional hybrids.

Initial field data shows significant improvements in fuel economy when operated in charge depleting mode. The data also shows that in city environments, a fully charged Plug-in Escape is capable of an all-electric range in excess of 25 miles when driven below 40 mph and if aggressive acceleration events are avoided.

Ford's PHEV demonstration fleet vehicles use advanced lithium-ion batteries. We plan to have a plug-in hybrid vehicle available commercially in North America in 2012 and in Europe by 2013 as part of our overall plan for vehicle electrification. The European PHEV will be based on the all-new C-MAX and the U.S. PHEV platform is still being determined.