Ford keeps pushing research into plug-in hybrids (video)

The partnership between Ford Motor Company and Hydro-Québec, which was made official a few days ago, is just one step by the American automaker on the trail of plug-in hybrids and even fully-electric vehicles.

The Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid will be used not only for corporative purposes but also by various employees on a daily basis.

Actually, Ford already confirmed plans to introduce on the market the electric variant of its Transit Connect commercial truck as early as next summer. Consumers will get a Ford Focus EV somewhere in 2011.

In the meantime, plenty of work still has to be done in order to get more information on the performance of these green vehicles in various driving conditions. Additionally, it’s important to find out how big of an impact plug-in hybrids will have on power distribution networks. That’s why Hydro-Québec, along with eight other utility companies, will be counted on to collect data over a three-year period. The project also involves the U.S. Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).

"The entire project is oriented toward the development of our plug-in hybrids. We have to find the right communication and transfer methods between cars and utilities. Also, we’re studying how consumers use them, what they think of them, while educating the public and coming up with the right business model that will make everything possible for the various partners," said Nancy Gioia, Director of Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs at Ford, during an interview with Auto123.com.

She added: "At the end of the three-year project, we will have determined standards, communication protocols as well as differences in vehicle use between, say, Montreal and California, since both environments don’t offer the same weather and driving conditions. Ultimately, it will work because we will have made these vehicles accessible and affordable for mainstream consumers."

Nancy Gioia, Director of Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs at Ford.