Car History 4U

Ford: Environmentally Friendly / Green Hybrid Cars

9.3  Ford

    • Escape Hybrid: In 2004 Ford started production of the 2.3 litre Escape Hybrid.

    • The SUV is powered by a 133 hp (99 kW) petrol engine and a 94 hp (70 kW) electric motor. Electric power being provided by a 330 volt nickel-metal hybride (NiMH) battery. What is battery rated at in kW?

    • Regenerative braking is employed (the electric drive motor acting as a generator) to recharge the battery pack.

    • The vehicle can be powered solely by its engine or its electric motor, or both together. From 0 to 39 mph the SUV can be powered solely by the electric motor (at which speed the petrol engine switches on).

    • During high acceleration the engine and the electric motor provide power together. An average fuel economy figure for the Escape Hybrid of just under 32 mpg (US) has been achieved.

    • Note: Compared to standard vehicles, hybrids usually achieve better mpg figures during “city” driving partly because some power is recovered by the regenerative braking. 

    • The petrol engine switches off when idling to conserve gasoline.

 
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