Ford has announced that it is to deliver on a promise made in 2006, to double the number of flexible-fuel vehicles produced in the US by the end of 2010.
Back in 2006, the carmaker produced 185,000 models capable of running on E85(a fuel which is a mixture of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent gasoline), normal petrol or any mixture of the two.
The announcement was made on Wednesday (May 5) by Sue Cischke, Ford’s group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, at the 2010 BIO International Convention in Chicago.
“Flexible-fuel vehicles are a great alternative for our customers because they provide owners with the option to choose between using E-85 and gasoline when filling up a car,” Cischke said. “Ethanol and other biofuels also help reduce the country’s dependence on imported oil.”
The United States is one of the largest producers of ethanol. More ethanol is now produced and used in the US than the amount of gasoline made from oil imported to the states from Saudi Arabia and Iraq combined.
Using ethanol as a fuel remains a contentious environmental issue. Fuels such as ethanol produced from food crops have been blamed for increasing food prices globally, increasing destruction of natural habitats and increasing demand for fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals.
However, Ford is one such carmaker which has ploughed ahead with plans to expand the use of ethanol in cars. According to the carmaker, assuming incentives in the states continue to encourage the manufacturing, distribution and availability of renewable fuels as well as the production of flexible fuel vehicles, the carmaker remains committed to expanding flexible-fuel vehicle output to 50 per cent of total 2012 model year vehicle production.
Ford currently offers 11 flexible-fuel vehicles in the U.S. including the Ford Escape, Fusion, F-150, Crown Victoria, Expedition and E-Series; the Lincoln Navigator and Town Car; and the Mercury Milan, Grand Marquis and Mariner.
The carmaker intends to continue to build products capable of running on renewable fuels such as biodiesel and E-85 ethanol. This includes the new 2011 Super Duty, which is offered with two bio-fuel options, a diesel engine that operates on B20 biodiesel or a conventional engine that operates on E85.
“Flexible-fuel vehicles are one of the many environmental technologies Ford is providing customers,” said Cischke. “In addition to biofuels, we also are working on a range of other advanced fuel efficient technologies, including EcoBoost engines, six speed transmissions, clean diesel and electrified vehicles.”
Controversy also surrounds the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s(EPA) plans to allow an increase in ethanol content in road fuels used in the country to 15 per cent. Many industry experts are concerned that higher blend ethanol fuels have yet to be proven to be safe and effective (see story).
