Ford has just completed months of rigorous testing on the next generation of hybrid vehicles.
20 Escape Hybrid Electric E85-capable SUVs have been prepared for delivery to fleet customers in six states. The first three E85 Escape Hybrids have been delivered to the Department of Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Governors' Ethanol Coalition (GEC).
Ford is officially the first manufacturer to offer a consumption-ready hybrid E85-capable vehicle. E85 fuel is a blend of regular fuel with as much as 85 percent ethanol. Ethanol is a renewable fuel that can be produced from American-grown corn or sugar beets.
The major challenge for the promotion of renewable fuel is the restricted availability of the refuelling infrastructure, as less than 1% of the 170,000 retail gas stations in the US sell E85. If the necessary efforts and funds are put together to address this issue, it will be well worth it. The E85 Escape Hybrid's emissions contain about 25% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a regular Escape Hybrid. As well, if every last one of the 6 million flex-fuel capable vehicles already on the road in the US run on E85, more than 3.6 billion gallons of gasoline could be displaced a year.
photo:Ford
20 Escape Hybrid Electric E85-capable SUVs have been prepared for delivery to fleet customers in six states. The first three E85 Escape Hybrids have been delivered to the Department of Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and the Governors' Ethanol Coalition (GEC).
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| 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid |
Ford is officially the first manufacturer to offer a consumption-ready hybrid E85-capable vehicle. E85 fuel is a blend of regular fuel with as much as 85 percent ethanol. Ethanol is a renewable fuel that can be produced from American-grown corn or sugar beets.
The major challenge for the promotion of renewable fuel is the restricted availability of the refuelling infrastructure, as less than 1% of the 170,000 retail gas stations in the US sell E85. If the necessary efforts and funds are put together to address this issue, it will be well worth it. The E85 Escape Hybrid's emissions contain about 25% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a regular Escape Hybrid. As well, if every last one of the 6 million flex-fuel capable vehicles already on the road in the US run on E85, more than 3.6 billion gallons of gasoline could be displaced a year.
photo:Ford