Article tools sponsored by

Escape Plug-In Will Use 'Blended' Hybrid Approach

Internal combustion engine will join electric motors in driving wheels

Charles J. Murray, Senior Technical Editor -- Design News, November 10, 2008

Ford Motor Co. engineers at Consumer Reports' recent "Future of the Car" event in East Haddam, CT said the Ford Escape plug-in hybrid will use a vastly different power approach than that of GM's highly-publicized Chevy Volt.

"This vehicle is a parallel or blended hybrid, so we are continually using the battery system and the internal combustion engine together to offer optimum performance," said Greg Frenette, zero-emission vehicle programs chief engineer for Ford. "The plug-in Escape uses a similar architecture to that of our production Escape hybrid. The only difference is that we are operating with a lithium-ion battery pack with about five times the energy capacity and we are able to plug the vehicle into a standard 110-V outlet."

The Escape hybrid's architecture differs from that of the Volt because the Escape uses the engine to drive the wheels at certain times, while the Chevy Volt never uses the engine to drive its wheels. Both, however, are planning to use lithium-ion batteries, which offer greater energy density than lead-acid or nickel-metal hydride.

Frenette said the Escape plug-in will employ a high proportion of battery power to drive its wheels in the first 30 miles of travel, then will switch to a more conventional hybrid mode after its passes the 30-mile mark. The gasoline-burning engine will also be used in greater proportion after the vehicle passes the 30 mph point, Frenette said.

"We're able to use the battery to launch the vehicle, but eventually we cut the engine in," he said. "We do that in such a way as to deliver maximum fuel economy to the consumer and maintain drivability for acceleration and emergency maneuvers."

Ford has said the battery pack will require six to eight hours at 110V to achieve a full charge. After reaching full charge, the company says the vehicle will get up to 120 mpg when driven on surface streets, largely because much of its power comes from the batteries during that period. 

• related stories
• resource center
• by this author

 

 

 

• Harris to Deploy Neutrino in Battlefield Radios

• Freescale Rolls out NetBook Reference Design at CES

• Faster Processors Pave Way for Vision, 3-D TV

• Microchip Rolls out Development Tool

• FPGA USB Module Cuts Design Time, Cost

• TI Rolls out Low-Power Wireless Microcontroller Platform

• GM: Volt Program Still Going Full Speed

• David Cole: Bridge Loan Is Needed to Keep Automakers Afloat

View more articles by Charles Murray

Advertisement

Sponsored Content

Technology Marketplace

Watch more videos at DN’s Video Library!

Article tools sponsored by

Find a supplier on oemsuppliersearch.com

Talkback

• Let me guess - MSRP will be $35K + like the Chevy Volt and we STILL have to burn gas. Bravo,...
  John Bruenn - 2008-11-11 13:04:17

» MORE

Advertisement

DN's Resource Center Get Free Information, Made Easy

• Friction, Wear and Lubrication Info from Society
  Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers | Design Guide
  Request Item
• Best Practices for Green, Energy, and Supplier Challenges
  Dell Computer Corp. | Web Event
  Request Item

View More >>

View all DN resources >>