Posts Tagged ‘electrification’

Live Chat with Ford Global Hybrid Chief Engineer, Sherif Marakby

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

SHERIF MARAKBY: HELPING DRIVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORD’S ‘GREEN’ POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGY

Sherif Marakby, chief engineer for Ford’s Global Hybrid Core Engineering, led the development of the Fusion Hybrid’s powertrain system
Marakby leads the core engineering for electrified systems and components at Ford

Sherif Marakby leads Ford Motor Company’s core engineering for electrified systems and components. He is responsible for delivering the Fusion Hybrid’s powertrain system.

Marakby, who has a master’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Maryland and a master’s in business administration from the University of Michigan, has worked at Ford for nearly 20 years. Before becoming chief engineer of Global Hybrid Core Engineering, Marakby worked in powertrain systems and components, electronic systems and modules, program management, electromechanical systems, manufacturing and assembly.

He’ll be discussing the plans that Ford has for vehicle-to-grid communications for plug-in hybrids.

Join Sherif here for a live chat at 11:30am (EST) on August 28, 2009.

Tags: electrification, Ford, Ford engineering, Ford Motor Company, powertrain, Sherif Marakby

Posted in Electrification, Ford and the Environment - text | No Comments »

Ford on Board for Fleet Electrification

Friday, August 7th, 2009

Ford has been selected for two grants from the Department of Energy (DOE) under stimulus funding for the Fleet Electrification program. The program is designed to accelerate viable commercial volumes of electrified vehicles and vehicle to grid infrastructure development.

One grant, for $30 million dollars, will help fund Ford’s collaboration with utility partners across the nation – with an expansion of a vehicle demonstration and grid integration program.

In addition, Ford will receive a $62.7 million DOE grant for production of an electric-drive transaxle for its hybrid vehicles at the Ford Van Dyke transmission manufacturing facility in Sterling Heights, Mich. This grant will be matched by Ford.

Getting charged up
The DOE grants announced this week support Ford’s aggressive vehicle electrification strategy, which includes the introduction of battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and next-generation hybrids (HEV).

The vehicles include:

Ford Transit Connect BEV small commercial van in 2010
Ford Focus BEV passenger car in 2011
Next-generation hybrid in 2012
Plug-in hybrid in 2012

DOE grant funds also will support production of electric drive system components at Ford partner Magna, for the Ford Focus BEV as well as Johnson Controls, Inc. which will supply batteries for Ford’s plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2012.

Power through partnerships
Commercialization of battery electric vehicles is a critical element for improving U.S. energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions with sustainable transportation. It requires collaboration between automakers as the vehicle providers, utilities as the fuel providers and the government in support of advanced technologies for the mass market.

Ford was the first automotive manufacturer to partner with the utility industry in a shared effort to understand all of the issues related to PHEV technology and its interconnectivity with the electric grid.

Ford’s key utility partners include:

Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Southern California Edison
New York Power Authority
Consolidated Edison of New York
American Electric Power of Columbus, Ohio
Alabama Power of Birmingham, Ala.; and its parent, Atlanta-based Southern Company
Progress Energy of Raleigh, N.C.
DTE Energy of Detroit
National Grid of Waltham, Mass.
Pepco Holdings
New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, a state agency

Ford also has announced key collaborations with:

Smith Electric Vehicles, Europe’s leading battery electric commercial vehicle upfitter engaged by Ford to help bring the Transit Connect BEV, a small commercial van, to market in 2010
Magna International, the supplier jointly developing the Ford Focus BEV passenger car for 2011
Johnson Controls-Saft, the battery supplier for Ford’s first production PHEV coming to market in 2012

Quotes
“Broad commercialization of electric transportation is not something a car company can achieve on its own. Producing the vehicles is not enough to create a viable market. For widespread adoption, the infrastructure to support the technology needs to be in place, we need to ensure that the national electric grid can support increased electric demand by the vehicles, and we need to ensure that electrified vehicles provide a real value for consumers.”
– Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering

Tags: BEV, electrification, Ford, Ford Motor Company, hybrid, PHEV, plug-in

Posted in A Year In Review: 2009, Ford and the Environment - text | No Comments »

FORD MAKES PROGRESS ON SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

FORD MAKES PROGRESS ON SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY BY INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY, LOWERING EMISSIONS

Ford Motor Company’s Blueprint for Sustainability includes a range of global environmental technologies to provide more fuel-efficient vehicles that emit fewer greenhouse gases without compromising customer expectations for safety, interior room or performance. Since 2007, Ford has accelerated key aspects of its sustainability strategy to include a more detailed plan for vehicle electrification and other advances.

Responding to Climate Change
Ford recognizes climate change is a significant global challenge that must be addressed by a range of stakeholders. For the automotive industry, this includes the vehicle manufacturers, the fuel industry, governments and consumers. To do its part, Ford is pursuing multiple technological paths and collaborating with others to find new, meaningful fuel economy and emissions solutions that will be affordable for customers.

Some of the improvements to boost fuel economy outlined in the sustainability strategy are already on the road. Advances made since 2007 include:

Doubled hybrid offerings and production with the introduction of the all-new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, which deliver 41 mpg in city driving
The new 2.5-liter I-4 engine in the 2010 Ford Fusion S delivers fuel economy up to 3 mpg better than the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry
Ford Escape delivers best-in-class 28 mpg on the highway –and the Ford Escape Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet, delivering 34 mpg city and 31 mpg highway
Ford F-150’s fuel economy has improved an average of 8 percent across the fleet and delivers an unsurpassed 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway
Several new Ford vehicles include Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS), which can improve fuel economy up to 5 percent

Delivering the numbers
The cornerstone of Ford’s near-term plan is a new generation of smaller-displacement turbo-charged gasoline engines with advanced fuel-saving direct injection technologies. The new family of EcoBoost™ engines potentially provides customers with a fuel savings of between 10 to 20 percent versus a larger-displacement engine, without compromising performance.

In addition to EcoBoost engines – other technologies can help conserve fuel – now, and in the future. They include:

Dual-clutch transmissions, which deliver the fuel economy of a manual with the convenience of an automatic
Aerodynamic improvements
Weight reductions and greater use of aluminum, magnesium and high-strength steel
Continued development of biofuel and clean diesel engines
Continued hydrogen power development

Ford continues on the path of sustainable mobility innovation, across segments. Here’s how:

Ford’s Electrification Strategy: Ford accelerated its aggressive strategy for delivering a suite of electric vehicles to market, including a pure battery electric (BEV) Transit Connect commercial van in 2010 and a BEV Focus in 2011, as well as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and next-generation hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) by 2012.

Hybrid Electric Systems: Ford is in its fifth year producing the world’s most fuel-efficient SUV – the Escape Hybrid, and now has added the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in the market, the Fusion Hybrid.

Plug-in Hybrids: Ford, in collaboration with 10 utilities and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), is in the midst of a three-year test program on the Ford Escape PHEV, designed to develop and evaluate technical approaches for integrating PHEVs into the electric grid.

Battery Electric Vehicles: Ford will launch two pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) over the next two years, including BEV Transit Connect in 2010 and BEV Focus in 2011.

Quotes

“Ford is committed to offering customers affordable, environmentally friendly technologies in vehicles they really want. We are focusing on sustainable technology solutions that can be used not for hundreds or thousands of cars – but for millions of cars, because that is how Ford can truly make a difference.” – Alan Mulally, Ford’s president and chief executive officer

“While we are implementing our near-, mid- and long-term plans, we are continuing to achieve efficiencies throughout the vehicle in areas that can quickly lead to fuel economy improvements today.” – Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development

Related Links
Ford Blueprint for Sustainability Full Update

June 23, 2009

Tags: climate change, electrification, environmental technology, Ford, Ford Motor Company, Ford Sustainability, Ford’s Electrification Strategy, fuel economy, fuel efficiency

Posted in Electrification | No Comments »

FORD’S 10TH ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Monday, June 15th, 2009

FORD’S 10TH ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT DETAILS PROGRESS ON BLUEPRINT FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Ford Motor Company’s 10th annual Sustainability Report released today provides a comprehensive look at the company’s progress on environmental and social issues over the past year.

The 2008/2009 reported entitled “Blueprint for Sustainability: Our Future Works” updates the company’s progress in key areas of climate change, fuel economy, mobility, vehicle safety and human rights.

The full report is now available online at www.ford.com/go/sustainability. In the interest of the environment and as a cost saving measure, Ford elected not to do a traditional print version of the report.

On Climate Change
Ford remains on track to reach its goal to reduce by 30 percent the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of its new U.S. and European vehicles by 2020, compared to the 2006 model year. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to its climate change strategy, click here.

On Fuel Economy
Ford is committed to make all of its new vehicles either best in class or among the best in class in fuel economy. All of its North American 2010 model year vehicles and many 2009 model year vehicles meet this commitment. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to delivering fuel efficient technologies to millions, click here.

On Electrification
Ford is accelerating the development of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV), which it will introduce in North America from 2010 to 2012. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to electric vehicles, click here.

On Mobility
With the rise of mega-cities around the world – urban areas of 5 million to 10 million people or more – Ford is working on sustainable mobility solutions that reduce personal transportation’s environmental and social impacts. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to new mobility solutions, click here.

On Human Rights
For several years Ford facilities and those of its joint-venture companies and suppliers have operated under the Ford Code of Basic Working Conditions, which requires products to be manufactured under conditions that demonstrate respect for the people who make them. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to human rights, click here.

On Vehicle Safety
Ford Motor Company holds more Top Safety Pick ratings (awarded by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, or IIHS)) than any other automaker and more U.S. government 5-star-rated vehicles than any brand. To learn more about Ford’s commitment to vehicle safety, click here.

On Sustaining Ford
Over the past several years, Ford has undertaken a fundamental restructuring of its operations that affects every part of its business, from product innovation and fuel efficiency to labor relations and its interactions with suppliers and dealers. To learn more about Ford’s plan to return to profitability, click here.

QUOTES

“Our economic and environmental goals are aligned. In fact, we believe that the best way for us to be more profitable is to make our business and products more sustainable.” – Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company

“We recognize these issues are increasingly important to our stakeholders, including our customers, investors and business partners. We want them to understand that we will continue to pursue our sustainability agenda despite very challenging economic conditions.”
– Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering

“Ford’s reporting has benefited greatly from open and honest dialogue with shareholders, environmental organizations and other key stakeholders regarding a variety of sustainability issues, including global climate change and good governance practices.” – Carol Lee Rawn, senior manager of the Transportation Program at Ceres, who led the Ceres stakeholder team that advised Ford on its Sustainability Report

Tags: 2008-2009, climate change, electrification, Ford, Ford Motor Company, fuel economy, governance, human rights, innovation, mobility, safety, sustainability, Sustainability Report

Posted in Electrification, Ford and the Environment - text | No Comments »

FORD’S ACCELERATED BATTERY RESEARCH AND VEHICLE ELECTRIFICATION PLANS

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

FORD’S ACCELERATED BATTERY RESEARCH DRIVES DEVELOPMENT OF VEHICLE ELECTRIFICATION PLANS

One of the hurdles in the race to develop automotive Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems for high volume hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicle programs is improving the technology’s durability.

Ford’s advanced battery researchers are working with battery suppliers, utility companies and top-tier academic researchers to develop, test and validate high-powered battery systems that are durable enough to last the lifetime of a vehicle.

More Efficient, Less Costly
According to Ford’s advanced battery researchers’ recent findings, which were presented at SAE International’s 2009 World Congress this week, Li-ion battery systems:

Will be 5 percent more energy efficient than the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in today’s hybrid electric vehicles, and;
Would be less costly than NiMH in large volumes – approximately 30 percent less expensive at an annual volume of 3 million hybrids

Adaptable Technology
The Li-ion battery packs that Ford will use in its hybrids and electric vehicles, are 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter than NiMH batteries. That makes them easier to package in a vehicle. Unlike NiMH batteries, Li-ion can be tuned to increase power to boost acceleration, or to increase energy to extend driving distance.

Ford will use Li-ion battery systems to power:

a pure battery electric (BEV) Transit Connect commercial van in 2010
a BEV passenger car developed jointly with Magna International by 2011
a Plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and next-generation hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) by 2012

Unique Li-ion systems are in development for each type of vehicle, because the drive cycles of BEVs, HEVs and PHEVs have different types of battery storage and usage requirements.

Challenges Remain
The Li-ion battery needed for automotive use is expected to handle a multitude of vehicle operations under extremely hot and cold conditions, making thermal and safety management much more complex than that needed for batteries in consumer electronics, such as laptops.

Testing Underway
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

QUOTES

“Ford is strongly positioned to accelerate its electric vehicle strategy this year thanks to the significant research we’ve already completed. Our collaborative work with suppliers and partners will help us be one of the first automakers to bring the next generation of personal transportation to market.” – Susan Cischke, Group Vice President, Ford Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering

"Our PHEV fleet is a direct result of our Li-ion research, and the data mined from these field tests will provide crucial information as we make advances in battery technology.” – Ted Miller, Manager, Ford Energy Storage Strategy and Research

“The efforts of Ted Miller's team to reduce the cost and mass of Li-ion systems have been important to the research community at large. Their efforts are yielding improved Li-ion systems, and more knowledgeable workers.” – Ann Marie Sastry, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and
Director of the University of Michigan's Energy Systems Engineering Program

Tags: battery research, electrification, Ford, Ford Motor Company, hybrid, Li-ion, plug-in hybrid

Posted in Ford and the Environment - text | No Comments »

Li-ion Battery Plant Boosts Ford’s Plans

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

Li-ion Battery Plant Investment Boosts Ford’s Electrification Plans

Ford Motor Company is another step closer to putting plug-in hybrid electric vehicles into production with supplier Johnson Controls-Saft’s announcement Tuesday that the battery maker plans to build its first U.S. cell manufacturing facility for Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems in Holland, Mich.

Ford recently entered into a partnership with Johnson Controls-Saft to develop an advanced Li-ion battery system to power Ford’s first commercial plug-in hybrid (PHEV) as part of its electrification strategy.

Ford will use Li-ion battery systems to power:

a pure battery electric (BEV) Transit Connect commercial van in 2010
a BEV passenger car developed jointly with Magna International by 2011
a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and next-generation hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) by 2012

Unique Li-ion systems are needed for each type of vehicle, because the drive cycles of BEVs, HEVs and PHEVs have different types of battery storage and usage requirements.

Michigan’s Bid for Battery Dominance

Johnson Controls-Saft, a leading global provider of hybrid battery systems, announced that it will receive a combination of tax credits and incentives from the state of Michigan totaling $148.5 million.

The estimated cost to renovate Johnson Controls-Saft’s Holland, Mich., facility for Li-ion automotive battery production is approximately $220 million. Initial capacity is expected to be 15 million Li-ion cells.

Johnson Controls-Saft is one of four companies investing a total $1.7 billion to launch advanced battery manufacturing facilities in Michigan as part of the state’s strategy to become what Governor Jennifer M. Granholm calls the “advanced battery capital of the world.”

LG Chem-Compact Power Inc., KD Advanced Battery Group LLC and A123Systems Inc. also have announced projects that are expected to contribute to the creation of more than 6,600 new jobs in the Michigan.

Quotes:

“These incentives are an important step to building a domestic advanced battery industry. Johnson Controls-Saft is well positioned to become a key manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion batteries for electrified vehicles and we have partnered with them to supply our plug-in electric vehicle coming in 2012, as part of our overall electrification strategy.”
– Susan Cischke, group vice president of Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering
Ford Motor Company

“Battery technology is strategically important to the future of the U.S. automotive industry and the economy at large. Our first U.S. plant will bring about 500 jobs to Michigan, and many additional jobs through suppliers and the businesses these employees will support. It is a key element of our broader strategy and commitment to the hybrid vehicle industry in North America.”
– Alex Molinaroli, president of Power Solutions for Johnson Controls

Tags: battery, electrification, Ford, Fordmotorcompany, Johnson Controls-Saft, lithium-ion, PHEV, plant, plugin

Posted in Ford and the Environment - text | No Comments »

Recent updates

Posts Tagged ‘electrification’

Live Chat with Ford Global Hybrid Chief Engineer, Sherif Marakby

SHERIF MARAKBY: HELPING DRIVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FORD’S ‘GREEN’ POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGY

Ford on Board for Fleet Electrification

FORD MAKES PROGRESS ON SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY

FORD MAKES PROGRESS ON SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY BY INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY, LOWERING EMISSIONS

FORD’S 10TH ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

FORD’S 10TH ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT DETAILS PROGRESS ON BLUEPRINT FOR SUSTAINABILITY

FORD’S ACCELERATED BATTERY RESEARCH AND VEHICLE ELECTRIFICATION PLANS

FORD’S ACCELERATED BATTERY RESEARCH DRIVES DEVELOPMENT OF VEHICLE ELECTRIFICATION PLANS

Li-ion Battery Plant Boosts Ford’s Plans

Li-ion Battery Plant Investment Boosts Ford’s Electrification Plans

Ford Social Networks

Ford Products

Ford Vehicles

Ford Corporate

Ford Community

Automotive