Monday, December 17, 2007

Ford Plug-Ins On The Road

The Ford Motor Company is insistently continuing to enhance plug-in hybrid technology with their two different innovative applications on research demonstration vehicles. It is intended to help develop the functionality and stability of lithium-ion battery packs and the presentation of plug-in hybrid technology in global market in the future. Electrifying as spark plug wires, isn’t it?

According to Ford’s press release, the first Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid demonstration fleet was brought to Southern California Edison for further evaluation and testing during the first few days of the month. Under the exceptional two-year joint venture with the utility corporation, a 20-unit Escape will be tested in California, first in the utility’s electric vehicle fleet, and later with chosen residential clients.

“To deliver the superior fuel economy of our PHEVs to the customer – at a value that is not cost prohibitive, we are working with our partners, Southern California Edison, to identify new business models. Such models could address battery ownership issues and customer, utility and automaker value as it relates to the electrification of vehicles,” says Sherif Marakby, the chief engineer for Ford’s Global Core Hybrid Engineering.

“While much progress has been made to date, certainly, many significant technical hurdles need to be overcome before a vehicle such as the Edge with HySeries Drive can become a reality. These types of vehicles remain prohibitively expensive. The single biggest hurdle to plug-ins remains the cost of lithium-ion batteries. In addition, much work also needs to be done to make fuel cells more durable and to create a hydrogen infrastructure,” says Mujeeb Ijaz, the manager of fuel cell vehicle engineering.

 

Posted by healthbuff at 09:35:03 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Friday, August 03, 2007

20 Plug-In Hybrids By 2009: A Promise By Ford And South California Edison!

 

 

Helping and reaching out to those who work so hard for the wellbeing of the world is one of the most heroic things one can do. In a little or significant ways, you can make a lot of difference when you get to support this kind movement! Now that’s our subject matter for today. News from autochannel.com tells about one’s dedication to help the society! When I read the article, I was so happy I forgot to put some coolant in my Isuzu pickup radiator - after all, I learned when I was reading that some of the big companies are willing to contribute so as to strengthen these campaigns.
 
People and staff from the Freedom from Oil campaign headed by Rainforest Action Network Campaign Director Sarah Connolly and Global Exchange Campaign Director Mike Hudema were very much delighted upon the announcement of the Ford Motor Company and the South California Edison that they will build and carry out 20 plug-in hybrids in 2009! No one can be happier than the people concerned about the welfare of the environment!

The Freedom from Oil campaign is working hard to break-off America’s dependence on oil, to lessen oil correlated struggle and prevent global climate change by persuade the auto industry to considerably boost fuel efficiency and abolish greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

In behalf of all the bodies composing the Freedom from Oil Campaign, Rainforest Action Network Campaign Director Sarah Connolly and Global Exchange Campaign Director Mike Hudema released an applauding statement for Ford and South California Edison for their generosity by bringing 20 Plug-in hybrids in 2009! Let’s read some of the statements from the article courtesy of AutoChannel.com:

“We applaud Ford’s bold commitment to build the first ever road-ready, consumer-class plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Consumers have been waiting a long time for an automaker to offer the next generation of ultra-fuel-efficient, gasoline-optional cars. Plug-in hybrids could very well be the key to breaking America’s destructive oil addiction by giving consumers a viable alternative to the gas-guzzling cars and trucks currently clogging our roads and polluting our atmosphere.

“Plug-in vehicles, which use proven technology that is capable of achieving over 100 miles per gallon, make the U.S. Senate’s goal of 35 miles per gallon by 2020 seem painfully conservative. We are encouraged by what appears to be a sincere effort by Ford and Southern California Edison to chip away at the auto industry’s longstanding relationship with Big Oil. By being the first automaker to put a plug-in hybrid on the road, Ford is leaving its competitors in the dust.

“Powering America’s cars by electricity rather than oil will help America kick its oil addiction once and for all. Yet, despite the hope raised by today’s announcement, plenty of work remains. Utilities must earnestly begin the shift away from dirty coal and toward renewable energy sources. A green grid powered by wind and sun can cleanly recharge car batteries and help tackle our twin crises of oil addiction and global warming.”
Posted by healthbuff at 11:57:05 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |