Ford delivers first Li-Ion Plug-in Hybrids.

[FordFan]

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=27333

-First Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) delivered to Southern California Edison as part of unique partnership to advance commercialization of PHEVs

-Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid with lithium-ion battery achieves up to 120 mpg

-Two industries connected through a common fuel, changing the transportation and energy future

ANAHEIM, Calif., Dec. 3 - Ford Motor Company’s first demonstration Escape Plug-In Hybrid is ready to roll on California roads. Ford today delivered the first of 20 research PHEVs to Southern California Edison to begin road testing as part of a unique partnership between the automaker and utility.

[CJ Thunder]

So whats the hold up in consumer use?

[jtrav91]

Originally Posted by CJ Thunder

So whats the hold up in consumer use?

Price.

[montrealvue]

I love when manufacturers build something that no one can buy . I wish Ford would stop riding the PR train and actually put hybrids on the road! In my neck of the woods you can't even get a Ford Escape Hybrid! They market it but don't supply it to the dealer network. If you MUST have one they will order it and the finance rate is 11%! At least GM makes their BAS hybrids available at reasonable rates.

[pinyon]

Originally Posted by montrealvue

I love when manufacturers build something that no one can buy . I wish Ford would stop riding the PR train and actually put hybrids on the road! In my neck of the woods you can't even get a Ford Escape Hybrid! They market it but don't supply it to the dealer network. If you MUST have one they will order it and the finance rate is 11%! At least GM makes their BAS hybrids available at reasonable rates.

I agree. Just like the Honda FCX and even the Fuel cell Equinox. I know they need to test them, but the PR part really bugs me. I saw an FCX Clarity commercial last weekend and asked my wife her impressions as to whether she thought this was a vehicle she could go to her Honda dealer and buy today and she thought it certainly was. I wish they would just stop the hype.

[chakis24]

haha, toyota said this cant be done.

[FordFan]

Originally Posted by montrealvue

I love when manufacturers build something that no one can buy . I wish Ford would stop riding the PR train and actually put hybrids on the road! In my neck of the woods you can't even get a Ford Escape Hybrid! They market it but don't supply it to the dealer network. If you MUST have one they will order it and the finance rate is 11%! At least GM makes their BAS hybrids available at reasonable rates.

Why don't you sign up to be a test subject for one of them? It's funny how Ford is getting blasted to hell for actually making it while GM is still stumbling with the Volt.

[CJ Thunder]

Originally Posted by jtrav91

Price.

So the people that go to after market companies would not like this now? At least offer it as an option. I mean if you know about it you want it.

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by FordFan

Why don't you sign up to be a test subject for one of them? It's funny how Ford is getting blasted to hell for actually making it while GM is still stumbling with the Volt.

Well what would you think the better move would be?? To keep on working and perfecting a vehicle (like GM is).....knowing full well it'll be a while before the public can get their hands on it........or jump on the PR bandwagon like everyone else, releasing only a handful of vehicles to 'test subjects' in a contentious market (like Ford & Honda....)

[mikesright]

I don't really think this development particularly is deserving of criticism...or praise for that matter. All of the auto companies work on alternatively-powered vehicles and test them on a regular basis AND try to market it for themselves so they're seen as a "green company." This event would apply, just like Ford did earlier with Hydrogen buses, GM with the EV1 and Fuel Cell Equinox, Honda with the FCX, Toyota with the plug-in Prius, etc.

FordFan: The difference between this and the Volt is that the Volt is treated just like the Camaro or any other vehicle program General Motors does, which is with production intent. Just like the Camaro, the Volt has a "sell-by" date (of 2010, of course). Ford (and all other manufacturers, for that matter) doesn't have the technology GM has to meet the deadline (meaning EPA and Carb regs, cost, efficiency, etc; obviously they have some tech to do an e-Escape), and just like the rest of the auto companies, aren't willing to step up and fully commit to an idea as revolutionary as the Volt's, which is why GM has seemingly gotten a "pass" on this "vaporware."

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by montrealvue

I love when manufacturers build something that no one can buy.

...and if this new battery technology experiences major issues in the hands of hundreds of thousands of consumers, then what? A major recall and PR disaster, not to mention the expenses and damage to the brand.

Lithium Ion in large-scale use such as automotive applications needs to mature appropriately. That involves gathering lots of real-world experience. Therefore, it's perfectly appropriate to put these newer technologies into municipal or corporate fleet use to gather valuable real-world data. No doubt, there will be some adjustments and refinements to the technology that come from these experiences.

These things take time.

[ronald mcretard]

Originally Posted by FordFan

Why don't you sign up to be a test subject for one of them? It's funny how Ford is getting blasted to hell for actually making it while GM is still stumbling with the Volt.

The plug-in Escape is a relatively easy car to build compared to the Volt. They simply modify the existing Escape (parallel hybrid) with a larger battery pack, plug-in feature, and probably some software changes. The Volt is a totally new vehicle with a new drivetrain (series hybrid).

I applaud Ford for their efforts, but to say GM is "stumbling" on the Volt is not fair.

[chakis24]

Originally Posted by ronald mcretard

The plug-in Escape is a relatively easy car to build compared to the Volt. They simply modify the existing Escape (parallel hybrid) with a larger battery pack, plug-in feature, and probably some software changes. The Volt is a totally new vehicle with a new drivetrain (series hybrid).

I applaud Ford for their efforts, but to say GM is "stumbling" on the Volt is not fair.

to continue with on what youre saying. gm has a vue plugin set to debut in the newar future as well.