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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg We are witnessing a new revolution and a race to see what automobile maker will develop the best fuel efficient vehicle. (http://www.newsoxy.com/hybrid-cars/plug-in/article11868.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Ford_Escape_PHEV-30_conversion.jpgAndy Hodges - NewsOXY (http://www.newsoxy.com) - April 29, 2009

Where's the signup sheet?? :D --Ed.

Automobile manufacturers are developing hybrid plug in cars which can achieve 100 miles on a single battery charge. The alternative energy utilizes a 120-volt outlet allowing the driver to charge their automobile at home.

Ford Motor Company announced last January that it was working on a fleet of new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars which connects to any 120-volt outlet. The vehicles can achieve up to 100 miles on a single battery charge. The vision is almost here today as you read this article.

General Motors has already unveiled its Chevy Hybrid Volt which can deliver up to 40 miles of all-electric transportation on a single charge. The car maker is already designing a second prototype which could push it to greater distances than 100 miles. The Volt is set to release in 2010.

Plug in alternative energy solutions can offer consumers the needed mobility to drive between 40 to 100 miles without using a single drop of fuel. Depending on a daily commute, if within the range of 40 to 100 miles, a person only needs a 120-volt outlet to fill up at home and not at the pump. However, until the... http://www.newsoxy.com/hybrid-cars/plug-in/article11868.html

Where's the signup sheet, is right. We want them, but still can't get them, and certainly can't get the 2nd gen that many of us need. I'm thinking the first trustable car manufacture who gets there gets the big sales.

I just hope car manufactures think in terms of modular/customizable batteries. For myself, I need a range of about 60 miles for best efficience, and would probably want an 80/100 mile battery to allow some leeway for extra driving and/or degradation of the system over time. But someone who lives in a small town and normally only drives within its 5 mile boarder shouldn't have to be saddled with the extra expense and weight of such a large battery. They should be able to get the same thing, but with only a 10/20 mile range battery and pocket the money.

Wishful thinking by the author? Ford announced in January, 2009 that it would produce a BEV with a 100mile range for the consumer in 2011. They also said they would produce plug-in versions of their hybrids but gave no mention of the AER.

Good Luck
Andrew

PRESS RELEASE

FORD PLANNING NEW ELECTRIC, HYBRID AND PLUG-IN VEHICLES IN NEXT 4 YEARS; PARTNERS HELP SPEED VEHICLES TO MARKET

Ford announces aggressive new electric vehicle plan to bring pure battery-powered vehicles, hybrids and plug-in hybrid vehicles to market
To start, Ford will introduce in North America:

A new battery electric commercial van in 2010
A new battery electric small car in 2011 to be developed jointly with Magna International
Next-generation hybrid vehicles, including a plug-in version in 2012
These vehicles pave the way for additional applications in the future, using Ford's high-volume global small car and midsize car platforms
Ford is partnering with high-tech partners to bring electric-powered vehicles to market quickly and more affordably
DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2009 – Ford Motor Company today launched an aggressive plan to bring pure battery-electric vehicles, next-generation hybrids and a plug-in hybrid to market quickly and more affordably during the next four years.

The plan, unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, signals the next phase in Ford's commitment to deliver the best or among the best fuel efficiency with every new vehicle it introduces and to make fuel efficiency solutions affordable for millions of customers.

"Ford is heading in the direction America and our customers want us to go, which is a green, high-tech and global future," said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. "I think that is where society would like to see the entire industry go, and Ford is going to lead that charge."

To start, Ford will introduce in North America during the next four years:

A new battery electric commercial van in 2010
A new battery electric small car in 2011 to be developed jointly with Magna International
Next-generation hybrid vehicles, including a plug-in version by 2012
These new vehicles pave the way for additional applications in the future, using Ford's high-volume global small car and midsize car platforms.

"Next-generation hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure battery powered vehicles are the logical next steps in our pursuit of greater fuel economy and sustainability," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development. "A growing number of consumers want that kind of choice, and we want to be in a position to deliver it to them across multiple vehicle categories."

The use of global platforms showcases Ford's ability to develop products with worldwide market opportunities in mind. Powering the company's electrification drive is the company's "One Ford" global product vision.

"Around the world, we have become one Ford team, leveraging technologies and assets across markets and vehicle lines," said Alan Mulally, Ford president and chief executive officer. "That is allowing us to deliver products our customers want and value even more quickly, including our progress with electric-powered vehicles."

Partners Enable Speed to Market
Ford is partnering with high-tech partners to bring electric-powered vehicles to market quickly and affordably. Today, the company announced a new collaboration with Magna International to bring a new lithium ion battery-powered small car to market in North America in 2011.

The new electric vehicle will have a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge, without using a single drop of gasoline.

"We strongly believe in collaboration because it drives innovation up and keeps costs down," said Don Walker, co-CEO of Magna International. "Bringing a fully functional electric vehicle quickly to market that meets customer expectations in terms of cost and performance is a great testament to both our companies' expertise and collaborative efforts."

Ford already has other collaborations and partnerships to accelerate the commercialization of electrified vehicles. Southern California Edison and the Electric Power Research Institute currently are road testing a fleet of Ford Escape Hybrid Plug-ins. Work with the utility industry partners is focused on understanding customer usage and the interconnectivity of vehicles with the electric grid.

Ford also has entered into a four-way "Eco-Partnership" in China to expand its global expertise with electric-powered vehicles. Ford, Changan Auto Group and the cities of Chongqing, China and Denver, Colo., are exploring ways to develop projects to help further energy security and promote economic and environmental sustainability. Areas of focus could include developing electrified vehicle technologies, green city planning, efficient urban transportation and grid integration.

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded a $10 million grant to Ford's development of PHEVs. The DOE currently is road testing one of Ford's Escape Hybrid Plug-ins to support technological innovation related to the electrification of transportation.

In addition, in the UK, Ford is collaborating with Tanfield, the market leader for electric vehicles, to offer battery-electric versions of the Ford Transit and Transit Connect commercial vehicles for fleet customers in the UK and European markets.

Ford's aggressive new electrification plan represents the next step in the company's sustainability plan. Unveiled in 2007, the plan includes a commitment to greater vehicle fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions as part of Ford's longer-term commitment to addressing climate change and energy security.

"Our focus is to provide fuel efficiency for millions of customers," said Kuzak. "Rather than low-volume niche vehicles or demonstration fleets, we are committed to developing advanced technology that is widely affordable and accessible."

Near-term elements of Ford's sustainability plan include improving today's gasoline engines to make them more fuel efficient with reduced emissions. Recent accomplishments include:


The Ford Fusion is now America's most fuel efficient mid-size sedan for both hybrid and conventional gasoline models
The four-cylinder Ford Fusion S is now certified at 34 mpg highway and 23 mpg in the city, topping the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord
The new Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrids deliver up to 41 miles per gallon in the city – eight miles per gallon better than the Toyota Camry Hybrid. In addition, the base Fusion with its 4-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission is EPA certified with best-in-class fuel economy of 34 mpg on the highway
The Ford Focus with its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and manual transmission delivers 35 mpg on the highway, 5 mpg better than Toyota Corolla's 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and 2 mpg better than Honda Fit's 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, both also with manual transmissions
The all-new 2009 Ford F-150 – which is Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year – achieves 3 mpg more than the Toyota Tundra pickup on the highway and 1 mpg better in the city with its 4.6-liter V-8 engine, compared to Toyota's 4.7-liter V-8. The F-150's larger 5.4-liter V-8 achieves 2 mpg better on the highway than the facing Tundra engine
The 2009 Ford Escape with its new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission achieves 28 mpg on the highway, the same as Toyota's RAV4 and 1 mpg better than the Honda CR-V, both with 4-cylinder engines, too
The Ford Expedition achieves 20 mpg on the highway, beating both of the Toyota Sequoia's V-8 engines by as much as 3 mpg on the highway
The Ford Flex is the most fuel-efficient standard seven-passenger vehicle on the market
This year, Ford also will introduce its EcoBoost engines on the Ford Flex crossover and Lincoln MKS sedan.

The direct-injection turbocharged EcoBoost technology allows for fuel economy improvements of up to 20 percent and CO2 reductions of up to 15 percent versus larger displacement engines – while improving performance. On the Flex and the Lincoln MKS, EcoBoost will provide V-8 performance with V-6 engine fuel efficiency.

By 2013, Ford expects annual EcoBoost engine volumes to top 750,000 in North America.

Also this year, Ford is doubling its production and offerings of hybrid vehicles with the new Fusion and Milan hybrids. During the past five years, Ford has sold nearly 100,000 hybrid vehicles, starting with the introduction of the Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, the most fuel efficient SUVs in the world.