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The Hydraulic F-150 is currently scheduled for launch in August of 2008. (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/02/60_mpg_ford_f15.php)

Collin Dunn - Treehugger - Feb.14, 2006

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Ford_F-150_hydraulic_hybrid.jpg
Ford F-150 Hydraulic Hybrid - 60 mpg city?

Ford, the same company that has recently brought us the "It's not easy being green" (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/01/post_17.php) Super Bowl ad and the "Midwest Ethanol Corridor (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/02/ford_gm_riding.php)," is reported to be waist-deep in developing a hydraulic hybrid system that would give their ubiquitous pickup F-150 400% increased gas efficiency. Wow. The hybrid system works similarly to the current gas-electric systems, replacing today's Nickel Metal Hydride battery storage by storing excess energy in hydraulic cylinders; this system claims almost triple the efficiency of the current battery setup. What does that mean for the F-150?

Well, the standard F-150 has a curb weight of about 4800 lbs., which is 65% greater than theToyota Prius, yet the Hydraulic F-150 with a continuously variable transmission matches the Prius with 60mpg city rating, which works out to a 400% increase over its gasoline version. Again, according to this source, the Hydraulic F-150 is currently scheduled for launch in August of 2008. The hydraulic hybrid system was developed and patented by the EPA, and quietly made news late last year. The details are a little sketchy and the information isn't well coordinated; is all of this too good to be true?

___Thanks go to Diamond Larry for this find.

I want Ford to get out of the hole they are in. Having said that, this sounds like one of those too good to be true stories. If they could get an F150 or for that matter, a Ford Escape to get Prius-type FE that would be awesome, but it's not all about the hybrid powerplant. Many of us are familiar with a vehicle like the F150 having much greater drag, rolling resistance, etc...

If it got the F150 30mpg that would still be a breakthru.

It should be noted that if a non-battery hybrid can save as much, this bypasses many of the problems with batteries...

Being a mechanical engineer, I'm really rooting for mechanical hybrids to outperform electric hybrids. The mechanical solution seems much more elegant and environmentally friendly to me.

Hi Antrey:

___A hydraulic hybrid is a far less expensive (~ $800 to implement from my previous reads) and is a less lossy process but there is no way Ford or any other auto manufacturer is going to be able to maintain a leak free system at the hydraulic pressures needed for propulsion for the life of the vehicle. People complain when an oil drop or two lyes on the garage floor coming out of the main seal or if the oil pan gasket is leaking while at atmospheric. Imagine holding back 5,000 + psi to every seal the system for the life of the vehicle. I could see the reservoir being isolated when the Hydraulic hybrid is shut down but even a solenoid operated isolation valve(s) w/ fail closed actuators will eventually leak by and when it/they do, the public is going to get nuts real quick unfortunately :(

___I would like to see a maintenance record history on the UPS Hydraulic Hybrid trucks because I believe it would open our eyes to the systems capabilities and if they leak free or not.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I belive Diesel fuel systems use pressures much higher than 5000psi and manage to stay leak free. I'd expect some creative, robust solutions to the leak issue.

Assuming a viable hydraulic hybrid works, it might have an advantage in extreme weather conditions - a concern for batteries.