Motorists know for a fact that when it comes to saving fuel, taking a load off the car engine is the way to go. But the thing is, what adds to the engine load that makes it consume more fuel than normal? One is the car air conditioning system which affects the normal idling of the car. But all that may change if this brainchild from Ricardo pushes through.

The system is called the EAC (Enhanced Air Conditioning). This system is designed for hybrid or start-stop terrain vehicles to which the air compressor will automatically shut off when the drive power is solely electric or when the stop-start arrangement slashes the engine.

The system is allied to a sophisticated mapping and mobile communication system In the Ford Escape Hybrid which is a Sentience project tested automobile. Also it manages the speed and path of the car. Hence the EAC system can envisage potential stopping points and can decide on when the air-con may require to be switched off. And it assists in decreasing the fuel consumption furthermore.

Though still a project as of this time, the concept is ideal and logical. At least it helps improve the fuel consumption and should it be implemented, fuel for your dollar is sure to be noticed.

(Source) Vicky.in

Tags: air compressor, air conditioning system, brainchild, car air conditioning, car engine, Ford, ford escape, ford escape hybrid, fuel consumption, mobile communication system, motorists, slashes, sophisticated mapping, terrain vehicles, vicky

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Ford is on the offensive in efforts to speed up the developmental process of their electric vehicle plans. Ford is accelerating its research, development and testing of advanced Li-ion battery technology, thanks, in part, to a $55 million tax credit incentive from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Ford has engaged researchers at the University of Michigan and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to conduct digital simulation tests, collecting degradation data that Ford and its battery suppliers have used to improve Li-ion performance.

In addition, Ford has entered into research partnerships with eight regional electrical utility companies to conduct real-world tests on Li-ion-powered Ford Escape PHEVs.

These vehicles:

• Use a common household current (120 volts) for charging, with a full charge of the battery completed within six to eight hours
• Can achieve up to 120 mpg when driven on surface streets for the first 30 miles following a full charge
• Operate in two modes, electric drive and blended electric-engine drive
• Run as a fuel-efficient standard Ford Escape Hybrid one the charge in the battery as been depleted

(Source) Press

Tags: battery suppliers, battery technology, eight hours, electric vehicle, electrical utility companies, electrification, ford escape, ford escape hybrid, li ion battery, volts

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Ford gets the nod of Kelly Blue Book as two of its vehicles have been included in the Top 10 Green Cars list. Today, editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com named the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid to its 2009 list of “Top 10 Green Cars.”

“This recognition says strong things about Ford as a hybrid manufacturer,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “What we really like about both the Fusion and Escape Hybrids is that they do everything great hybrids should do – in terms of providing excellent fuel economy – but at the same time, they drive like conventional vehicles.”

Nerad says fuel economy was just one of the factors editors of Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com took into consideration when selecting this year’s list of “Top 10 Green Cars.”

“We go beyond fuel economy and powertrain, and we look at things that people generally look at when buying any car, such as comfort, convenience, safety and value for the money,” he said.

Ford Hybrid Marketing Manager David Finnegan says winning two of the 10 spots on kbb.com’s “Top 10 Green Cars” list for 2009 demonstrates Ford’s versatility as a hybrid manufacturer.

“We are continuing to expand our portfolio to offer consumers a wider range of alternatives,” said Finnegan. “Not only do we have the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet with the Ford Escape Hybrid but we also are committed to being a leader in the car segment. The 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid provides 41 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, making it North America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan.”

(Source) Press

Tags: car segment, ford escape, ford escape hybrid, ford fusion, ford vehicles, fuel economy, fuel efficient suv, green cars, hybrid marketing, hybrids, kelley blue book, kelly blue book

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The times may be tough but finding out you have produced the 100,000th vehicle under your wing is already an achievement in itself. Apparently that is what Ford is celebrating today as it has reportedly rolled off its 100,000th hybrid SUV and reinforced its commitment to ramping up production of hybrid vehicles this year.

Ford launched the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids five years ago and the vehicles remain the most fuel-efficient SUVs on the market. At the same time as workers at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant celebrated the hybrid milestone, Ford dealers are preparing to begin selling the all-new 2010 Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids, which will be America’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedans.

Today, the Ford Escape Hybrid SUV and Mercury Mariner Hybrid SUV deliver 34 mpg city driving, 31 mpg highway. The newest entries to Ford’s hybrid lineup, the Fusion Hybrid and Milan Hybrid deliver 41 mpg city driving, 36 mpg highway, the most fuel-efficient midsize sedans on the market today.

The Kansas City Assembly Plant, which employs 4,100 people, has been the hub for Ford’s hybrid SUV production since 2004 when the first Ford Escape Hybrid rolled off the line. Lean, flexible manufacturing processes and specially-trained employees at the plant allow the hybrids to be built on the same production line as conventional Escape and Mariner SUVs.

(Source) Press

Tags: escape hybrid suv, first ford, ford dealers, ford escape, ford escape hybrid, ford fusion, fuel efficient suvs, hybrid car, hybrid vehicles, hybrids, mercury mariner, mercury mariner hybrid, mercury milan, midsize sedans

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With a new and improved Ford Escape from its 2008 model, the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid has been unanimously chosen by Kelley Blue Book as one of its “2009 Best New Family Vehicles.”

“After undergoing a major overhaul for the 2008 model year, the Ford Escape Hybrid is improved again for 2009 with a more powerful and more efficient gas-electric powertrain,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. “Its fuel economy rating of 34 miles per gallon in the city is even better than that of the Toyota Camry Hybrid.”

The 2009 model features new comfort-designed seats with soy-based foam that substitutes for petroleum-based products to conserve limited resources and reduce CO2 emissions. Eco-friendly seat fabrics made from post-industrial 100 percent recycled materials also are offered on the

Earning a spot on kbb.com’s exclusive list of “2009 Best New Family Vehicles” is not the only accolade the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid has received. Ward’s Automotive Group named Ford’s redesigned Escape Hybrid engine to its “2009 10 Best Engines” list. The vehicle also was recognized as “Best Crossover/SUV Value Under $28,000″ by Intellichoice.com, a leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis.

(Source) Press

Tags: crossover suv, ford escape, ford escape hybrid, hybrid engine, kelley blue book, kelly blue book, miles per gallon, petroleum based products, recycled materials, toyota camry, toyota camry hybrid

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