Driver

The “driver” portion of the GHG emissions equation holds the potential for substantial emission reductions at minimal cost, but it is often overlooked. Ultimately, drivers decide which vehicles and fuels they will purchase and how those vehicles will be driven. While our major focus is on the vehicles we make, we have also reached out to drivers around the world to promote the practice of “eco-driving.” We do this by providing training, information and vehicle technology that helps drivers learn how to drive using the least fuel possible. We are also facilitating the development of apps and other tools to help drivers track and improve their fuel efficiency. For example, in 2013 we held a Personalized Fuel-Efficiency App Challenge, which resulted in creation of a range of apps to help customers optimize their personal fuel economy performance on the road and share that information with others.

Helping Drivers Improve Fuel Efficiency with Information Technology

Ford’s in-vehicle technology system – MyFord Touch® – offers an array of real-time information on fuel-economy performance that can coach drivers to get more miles to the gallon and save on fuel costs. In addition, MyFord Touch’s map-based navigation system offers an Eco-Route option that quickly calculates the most fuel-efficient route a driver can take to get from A to B. Ford testing shows that Eco-Route can help achieve fuel economy gains of up to 15 percent. This technology will be available across our full range of vehicles, from affordable small cars to high-end luxury vehicles. It is currently available on the Ford Escape, Explorer, Focus, Fusion, C‑MAX, Taurus, Edge, Flex, F-150 and Super Duty®. By 2015, approximately 80 percent of Ford’s North American models will offer MyFord Touch, with similar percentages predicted for the world market. SYNC was launched in Europe in 2012. It was initially available on the Ford B‑MAX and is available in now in Fiesta, B‑MAX, EcoSport, C‑MAX, Kuga, Transit and Tourneo Custom, Transit and Tourneo Connect, and Transit and Tourneo Courier. SYNC2 will be launched with the new Focus in 2014 and will also be available in the all new Mondeo from late 2014. SmartGauge® with EcoGuide is a dashboard display in the Ford Fusion, C‑MAX and Lincoln MKZ Hybrids, the Fusion and C‑MAX Energi plug-in hybrids, and the Focus Electric that gives drivers information to help them maximize fuel efficiency. The system provides information on current fuel economy, fuel economy history, odometer reading, engine coolant temperature, fuel level, battery charge status, electric vehicle mode, tachometer, engine output power, battery output power, power to wheels, engine pull-up threshold and accessory power consumption. Drivers can use the system to track their long-term fuel economy progress and illustrate it either with a traditional chart or using an innovative display of “growing leaves and vines.” The more efficient a customer is, the more lush the leaves and vines, creating a visual reward for the driver’s efforts. In addition, the real-time system feedback allows drivers to assess and modify their driving habits to achieve maximum fuel economy.

In Europe, we offer the EcoMode system to help drivers maximize their fuel economy. This system monitors the key parameters for optimal fuel consumption that drivers can affect by changing their driving behavior, including gear shifting, anticipation (i.e., driving as consistently and smoothly as possible) and motorway driving (i.e., driving with the most efficient speed on highways and country roads). In addition, the system considers the percentage of cold-engine short trips. Through this monitoring process, Ford EcoMode generates a driver profile with a scoring system for these driving parameters and offers information on how to improve fuel economy over time. This process can be translated into driver advice that can help make the best use of the vehicle’s technology. The system is now available in Europe on the Fiesta, B‑MAX, Focus, C‑MAX, Kuga, Mondeo, S‑MAX and Galaxy, as well as the all new Transit/Tourneo Customer and Connect.

Eco-Driving Information and Training

Ford has demonstrated that drivers who practice “eco-driving” can improve their fuel economy by an average of 24 percent. Eco-driving tips are available to the public on Ford’s website, and online training is available through the Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program. In addition, a Web-based eco-driving program has been available to all U.S. salaried Ford employees since 2006.

Ford began work on the eco-driving concept in 2000, when we first offered an eco-driving program through our German dealerships, in partnership with the German Federation of Driving Instructor Association and the German Road Safety Council. That program, which continues today, trains drivers in smarter and greener driving skills and vehicle maintenance habits. It uses specially trained and certified instructors to run programs for several target groups, including fleet drivers and customers. By the end of 2013 more than 17,000 German drivers had been “eco-trained” through this program.

In 2013, Ford continued to support the ECOWILL project, which stands for Eco-Widespread Implementation for Learner Drivers and Licensed Drivers. Ford has been the only automotive industry member active in this project since it began in 2010. This project, which concluded as scheduled in April 2013, was based on the premise that ”eco-driving” can reduce CO₂ from motoring and improve road safety without making it less “fun to drive.” ECOWILL succeeded in meeting two primary goals:

• A mass roll-out of high-quality/standardized short duration eco-driving trainings. Ford operates one-hour courses with professional driving instructors as part of this goal, and
• Promoting the education and testing of eco-driving for learner drivers in regular driving school under the leadership of EFA, the European driving school association.

Thanks to this project, approximately 32,000 new drivers were “eco-trained,” and more than 10,000 already-licensed drivers received this training. The project resulted in many benefits that will continue on after its formal conclusion. For example, the “eco-driving” training developed through this program was added to driver training programs required in all European countries. ECOWILL also influenced the creation of many national eco-driving and road safety initiatives and resulted in a successful eco-driving “coaching” methodology that can be used in other programs.

From 2010 to 2013 Ford also contributed to a European research project called “eCoMove.” Through this project, Ford and 32 partner organizations developed and tested vehicle-to-driver communications technologies focused on reducing CO₂ emissions from road transport by reducing inefficiencies in driver behavior. In field tests, the new technologies resulted in a 15 percent improvement in fuel economy and CO₂ emissions. As part of this project, Ford tested an accelerator pedal that provides tactile feedback to the driver and an associated dashboard display that coach drivers on more fuel efficient driving behavior. The system provides drivers with information about approaching road conditions that can help drivers make more efficient driving choices, such as slowing down earlier and more slowly. The system also helps drivers time their speed to reach traffic lights when they will be green to avoid unnecessary stopping and accelerating. This new driver assistance system leverages existing Ford technologies including traffic sign recognition, advanced map information, car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure communications to help drivers prepare for or avoid road congestion and changes in topography.

In Asia Pacific Africa, we launched the Ford DSFL driver training program in 2008. In this region the program places equal emphasis on safe driving and eco-driving, as customers are interested in both. In 2013, Ford DSFL in Asia trained licensed drivers in mainland China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and South Africa. Approximately 14,000 drivers were trained through this program in 2013. More than 77,000 people have been trained since the program began in Asia six years ago.