mikeyb
01-25-2007, 08:43 AM
<TABLE class=featuretopimage cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width=175 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/news/02-medium/ford-escape-hybrid.jpg</TD></TR><TR><TD class=text10black width="100%" bgColor=#cddbeb>Ford Escape Hybrid</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Ford has shown a version of its fuel cell Escape prototype with plug-in capacity to boost battery power.
The HySeries Drive system displayed at a small motor show in Washington DC this week can be charged up from a standard domestic socket to give an initial 25-mile range before the power from the fuel cell kicks in. Total range is now up to 400 miles.
The HySeries technology, as previewed in the Airstream concept car at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this month, can work in combination with either a hydrogen fuel cell, diesel or petrol engines, which it uses as generators to create zero-emissions electric propulsion. The Escape HySeries returns an equivalent of 41mpg - and 80mpg for short-distance journeys - yet emits no harmful substances.
Ford's research spokesman Gerhard Schmidt said: 'This vehicle offers Ford the ultimate in flexibility in researching advanced propulsion technology. We could take the fuel cell power system out and replace it with a downsized diesel, gasoline engine or any other powertrain connected to a small electric generator to make electricity like the fuel cell does now.'
However, Ford warns that we won't see such technology in production any time soon, saying that 'many significant technical hurdles need to be overcome'. Other factors include the high cost of producing fuel cell vehicles, the cost of the lithium-ion batteries and the lack of a hydrogen supply infrastructure, all of which are holding up the chances of the Escape HySeries becoming a reality.
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The HySeries Drive system displayed at a small motor show in Washington DC this week can be charged up from a standard domestic socket to give an initial 25-mile range before the power from the fuel cell kicks in. Total range is now up to 400 miles.
The HySeries technology, as previewed in the Airstream concept car at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this month, can work in combination with either a hydrogen fuel cell, diesel or petrol engines, which it uses as generators to create zero-emissions electric propulsion. The Escape HySeries returns an equivalent of 41mpg - and 80mpg for short-distance journeys - yet emits no harmful substances.
Ford's research spokesman Gerhard Schmidt said: 'This vehicle offers Ford the ultimate in flexibility in researching advanced propulsion technology. We could take the fuel cell power system out and replace it with a downsized diesel, gasoline engine or any other powertrain connected to a small electric generator to make electricity like the fuel cell does now.'
However, Ford warns that we won't see such technology in production any time soon, saying that 'many significant technical hurdles need to be overcome'. Other factors include the high cost of producing fuel cell vehicles, the cost of the lithium-ion batteries and the lack of a hydrogen supply infrastructure, all of which are holding up the chances of the Escape HySeries becoming a reality.
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