We’re evaluating a variety of engines, fuels and drivetrains that meet society's needs for improved environmental performance in affordable, high-volume ways.
Exploring Alternative Fuels and Engine Types
Our scientists and engineers are exploring the use and development of advanced gasoline and diesel engines, hybrid-electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered ICE's and fuel cell systems.
The simultaneous exploration of several technologies allows our scientists and engineers to apply their learning about one technology to the development of another. For example, breakthroughs in transmission designs and battery performance are speeding up development of both hybrid-electric and fuel cell vehicles.
Improving Environmental Performance
We put the world's first hybrid SUV—the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid—on the road. We are also producing gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles with advanced powertrains, such as the Partial Zero Emission (PZEV) Ford Focus. Additionally, we continue our commitment to building Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), which run on ethanol, traditional gasoline or a mix of the two.
Hydrogen-powered Vehicles
We believe in the potential of hydrogen and we have introduced development vehicles and research efforts intended to move society to a hydrogen-powered future.
Development projects include a Ford Focus with a supercharged hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE), an H2ICE-powered Focus with a Modular Hybrid Transmission System (MHTS) and a growing fleet of Focus Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV)—all of which are on the road today.
Advancing Technology Through Public Policy
We’re engaged with public policy makers to further the development of vehicle technology in the following areas:
- Hydrogen research & development: We’ve working with the government, other auto manufacturers and energy companies to develop practical hydrogen-powered vehicles and a fuel infrastructure that can support them.
- Clean diesel growth: As we have in Europe, we’re working with government officials and energy providers in the United States to reduce fossil fuel consumption by developing advanced technology clean diesel vehicles.
- Market-based incentives: We support tax incentives for purchasing hybrid SUVs. We also promote government fleet purchases of advanced powertrain and hybrid vehicles. Telematics research and industry guidelines. We’re working with the U.S. government and other automakers to learn how telematic devices affect driver performance.
- Telematics research and industry guidelines: We’re working with the U.S. government and other automakers to learn how telematic devices affect driver performance.
