The brand new Ford Focus Electric, which is scheduled to debut in the US late next year and in Europe in 2012, will take its power from a lithium-ion battery pack that uses heated and cooled liquid to maximise battery life and range.
The thermal management system is essential to the success of lithium-ion batteries in electric cars because without it extreme temperatures could affect performance, reliability, safety and durability. With an advanced liquid cooling and heating system the temperature of the lithium-ion batteries is regulated which keeps them working well in a range of conditions.
So how does it work?
The active liquid system will heat or chill a coolant before it is pumped through the battery cooling system. On hot days, chilled water absorbs the heat from batteries and disperses it through a radiator before pumping it through the chiller again. Then on cold days, the heated water warms the batteries and gradually brings the system’s temperature to a level that allows it to accept charge energy and provides discharge power for optimised performance.
In addition, the system helps to charge the vehicle. When the all-electric Focus is plugged in to recharge the vehicle control system automatically preconditions the battery. Meanwhile, if the battery is already at the optimal temperature the system will automatically accept charge and maintain an optimal temperature.
The Ford Focus Electric will have a range in the region of 100miles and will be available in late 2011.
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The city of Portland in Oregon will soon reap the rewards of a new collaboration between one of its leading utilities and the Ford Motor Company.
The car manufacturer has teamed up with Portland General Electric to prepare the city for the operation of electric vehicles. The two companies will work together to share information on charge needs and requirements in an effort to ensure that the electrical grid can support the demand for electric vehicles.
In addition, the firms will work alongside state and local governments in an effort to support charging station permitting, electric vehicle incentives and future legislation or regulations.
Portland General Electric is already working with state and local government as well as higher education and businesses in the area to expand electric vehicle infrastructure. Earlier this month, it opened the nation’s first quick charge station at its World Trade Centre headquarters which complements the 20 charging stations up and running across its operating areas.
Now Ford will draw on its partnership with Portland State University to further its studies into urban mobility and sustainable design. The manufacturer plans to introduce the Transit Connect Electric later this year, followed by a Ford Focus Electric in 2011; and in 2012, a new generation of lithium-ion battery powered hybrids and a plug-in hybrid.
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As it aims to advance its lithium-ion battery systems for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, Ford has gone wireless.
The company is leveraging the internet and wireless technology to test and refine the systems. Engineers will now collect real-time performance data from batteries in the lab and vehicles on the field using an internet server while wirelessly updating system software to manage thermal load and maximise energy capacity, power capabilities and lifecycle durability.
These methods have helped Ford to slash test-fleet downtime and double its battery lab testing capabilities.
Now system specific engineers can be informed via email whenever software update opportunities occur using an adaptive event monitoring that detects conditions of interest and collects relevant data. According to Ford, this system has already led to at least 20 major design improvements in its vehicles.
Ford is currently scheduled to introduce two all electric vehicles – the Transit Connect Electric in North America in late 2010 and in Europe in 2011; and the Ford Focus Electric in North America in 2011 and in Europe in 2012. It will also look to introduce two hybrid electric vehicles and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in 2012 and 2013.
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Mind the pun, but this is one vehicle with a clear Edge over the competition…
Groans aside, the Ford Edge is enjoying a huge surge in popularity despite being on the market for nearly four years. Its sales hit 400,000 last weekend – the highest sales volume of any midsize crossover vehicle during the same period.
By the end of July, its sales for the year were up by 33 per cent compared to the previous 12 months and were double overall industry sales.
The statistics just keep getting more remarkable, as when the vehicle was first introduced it accounted for just 4.3 per cent of the retail industry. However, last year that number grew to 9.5 per cent and this year is expected to top 11 per cent making the segment the same size as full-size pick-ups and more than sports cars.
Part of the reason behind the vehicle’s success is thought to be its impressive fuel economy figures. The 2011 Ford Edge SEL and Limited models account for 80 per cent of total sales and have fuel economy estimated at 19mpg city and 27mpg highway.
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The brand new Ford F-150 has been boosted by a powertrain overhaul which includes four new truck engines, all of which are linked to a six-speed automatic transmission and each delivering better fuel economy.
Currently Ford’s best-seller with 50,449 units sold in July, the F-Series has been a dominant force for the company in the North American market. Now Ford hopes to further this success with its new engine line-up which includes an EcoBoost engine with 20 per cent better fuel economy when compared to the outgoing 2010 model.
Let’s take a look at the new engine line-up:
- 3.5litre Ti-VCT EcoBoost: Has power comparable to a naturally aspirated V8 but with 20 per cent better fuel economy. The intake and exhaust camshafts have been optimised for better performance too.
- 3.7litre four-valve Ti-VCT V6: The latest application of the Duratec V6 engine, it has additional technology and upgrades, with more work done on the bottom end of the engine. It offers an estimated 300hp at 6,500rpm and 275lb-ft of torque at 4,500rpm and also has E85 flex-fuel capability.
- 5.0litre four-valve dual-overhead-camshaft Ti-VCT V8: Delivers 360hp at 5,500rpm and 380lb-ft of torque at 4,250rpm. It is also E85 capable and has been improved with a new strengthened block and a new cylinder head, both of which have been optimised for performance and cooling.
- 6.2litre two-valve single-overhead-camshaft V8: A premium engine that delivers 411hp at 5,500rpm and 434lb-ft of torque at 4,500rpm.
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As it bids to stay on top of the latest technologies, Ford has awarded 13 university research programme grants to 12 different universities around the world.
The three-year collaborative research projects vary from testing the properties of thermoplastics modified with nanomaterials to studying the environmental and economic impact of batteries for electric vehicles.
Ford actually has an active portfolio comprising 30 studies in partnership with 26 universities globally. In recent years it has moved away from long term research to highly collaborative projects that focus on innovations with near-term and mid-term potential. It actually reviewed more than 70 project proposals before settling on the 13 it has awarded grants to which include Wayne State University in Detroit; RWTH Aachen University in Aachen, Germany; Stanford University in Palo Alto; and Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.
Its collaborations with universities have already reaped rewards in areas such as alternative power systems; environmental issues; materials and structures; powertrains; and manufacturing and quality. For example, in the late 1990s, Ford awarded the University of Illinois a grant to study how to control and reduce diesel emissions and this research was critical in the development of the after-treatment system that is now a part of the 6.7litre power stroke V8 turbocharged diesel engine.
In recent times, Ford has also extended its web globally, forming alliances with several top universities in China and will announce its next round of grant winners in early 2011.
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Ford has made a strong commitment to going that extra mile in its green efforts as we discussed a few weeks ago in our Green Piece Column (see article). However, there can be no greater testament of its efforts than the new Ford Explorer.
According to reports, the 2011 model will be 85 per cent recyclable after leveraging Ford’s use of bio foam and recyclable fabric in its interior as well as using recycled steel on a number of exterior parts.
It’s a tremendous achievement for the Ford designers who have reduced the use of virgin steel by an estimated 119 tons, which in turn has reduced CO2 emissions by around 119 tons – that’s about the same amount as would be emitted by a mid-size car driving the circumference of the earth 14 times.
Using recycled fibre instead of virgin fibre results in a 20 per cent reduction in energy consumption; and there has also been a 14 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions from the Explorer’s seating materials. It also makes use of the 40 per cent soy polyurethane foam in seat cushions and seat backs with Ford committed to using the bio-based material in 100 per cent of its North American line-up by the end of the year. This has helped cut the company’s annual petroleum oil use by more than 10,500 barrels.
Thankfully, the Ford Explorer’s engine is fuel efficient too – it comes with a V6 and a turbocharged, direct injection 2.0litre four-cylinder EcoBoost engine, the latter of which offers 30 per cent better fuel economy than the current V6 powered Explorer.
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Just because an engine becomes more powerful, it doesn’t mean it has to harm the environment.
That’s certainly the case with Ford’s new 6.7litre power stroke V8 turbocharged diesel engine for the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty pick-up. The vehicle produces 800lb-ft of torque, an increase of 65-lb ft, and yet also boosts fuel economy by around two per cent making it around 20 per cent more fuel efficient than the 2010 model.
In fact, the additional power is actually a boost for environmental performance as the improved torque and horsepower mean the customer can get to a higher gear faster and can stay in it longer, both of which help with fuel economy.
Ford is going to offer the power upgrades free of charge to all current owners of a 2011 Super Duty diesel pick-up – customers will receive letters explaining the procedure and inviting them to visit dealerships for the upgrade.
Among the benefits of the engine are: the first use of a compacted graphite iron engine block that is optimised for reduced weight and maximum strength; novel inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture, which reduces overall exhaust system volume; a new architecture that is easier for service work on major components; and a turbocharger with an industry-first dual-sided compressor that delivers all the benefits of a twin turbocharger in a smaller, more efficient package.
In addition, a high pressure fuel system injects fuel at more than 29,000psi for optimum power and fuel efficiency; while an aluminium cylinder head reduces weight. The engine is also compatible with B20 fuel.
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Ford and AA DriveTech, a division of the AA, are teaming up to help drivers save fuel.
Ford owners who have participated in the carmaker’s Econo Check programme can now benefit from a Econo Driver Training course, provided by the driver tuition firm to further their skills in fuel efficient driving. An Econo Check consists of a 35-point vehicle inspection at one of the brand’s dealers and the installation of a small data logger which monitors driving style and fuel economy for seven days.
The driver training is provided throughout the UK by highly qualified AA DriveTech instructors.
After a Ford Econo Check data logger is removed, a personalised report highlights four areas for possible driving-style improvements: speed, anticipation, braking and gear change. The Econo Driver Training targets the specific issues highlighted on a customer’s report.
Paul Holmes, fleet director, AA DriveTech, said: "With the AA predicting that fuel prices will reach record levels by January, there has never been a better time to hone your driving skills and reap the rewards."
Andy Barratt, director, Ford Customer Service Division, Ford of Britain, said: "Ford Econo Check customers now have the option to enhance their eco-driving skills by taking advantage of this brilliant programme. It’s a great opportunity to save money, as well as to reduce your impact on the environment."
The 90-minute, one-to-one Econo Driver Training course is available for Econo Check customers from £79.99 (including VAT).
Customers can visit www.fordeconocheck.com to book their Econo Check.
Visit www.FordECDT.AAdrivetech.com for Econo Driver Training course information.
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It has been coming for months and now the Ford Motor Company has completed the sale of Volvo Car Corporation and its related assets to Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Company Limited.
The China-based company has bought Volvo and its assets for $1.8billion, which includes a $200million note and balance in cash. Geely issued the note yesterday and paid an additional $1.3billion to complete the sale.
Despite the sale, it is expected that Ford will continue to co-operate with Volvo across several areas in an effort to ensure a smooth transition even though it has not retained any ownership. For example, it will continue to supply Volvo with powertrains, stampings and other vehicle components for various periods. It has also agreed to provide engineering support and information technology along with access to tooling and other selected services.
Thanks to the agreements, Ford and Volvo will be able to deliver their business plans and establish the use of each other’s intellectual property.
The final purchase price adjustments are expected to be finalised later this year with additional proceeds likely to go to Ford.
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