The Ford Escape Hybrid is a fuel-saving, gas-electric hybrid-power
version of small, four-door sport-utility vehicle, available with
front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4x4). Its power train
has 2.3-liter, four-cylinder gas engine rated 133 horsepower at
6,000 rpm, 129 pounds-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm; synchronous AC
electric motor rated 94 hp from 3,000 to 5,000 rpm; 330-volt
battery pack under rear cargo floor; electronically controlled,
continuously variable transmission. Maximum power output is 155 hp
because gas and electric do not make their maximum power
simultaneously.
It has a 2.3-liter, Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine
with a 70-kilowatt permanent-magnet traction electric motor,
regenerative braking and a 330-volt battery pack. The combination
provides performance on par with a V-6. The hybrid never has to be
plugged in because the engine recharges the batteries, by the
electric motor and by heat recovered as energy during braking.
"The Escape hybrid really "wants" to be an electric vehicle, but
the gasoline engine adds power for acceleration, charges the
batteries and powers the air conditioning," said Mary Ann Wright,
Ford's director of Sustainable Mobility Programs
Unlike electric cars, hybrids never need to be plugged into a
recharger. Regenerative braking recharges the Ford Escape Hybrid,
which converts electric motor into a generator to help refill the
battery pack during stops; and by a recharging system powered by
the gas engine.
Designed to last for the life of the vehicle and can be found
under the Escape's cargo floor, the battery pack, which contains
250 small batteries roughly the size of D cells mounted in series
doesn't infringe on cargo space.
The software and computerized controllers that make everything
work effectively is the key to a hybrid. Small badges identify the
Ford Escape as a hybrid. The instrument panel is a little
different because it contains a gauge that shows when the electric
motor is the source of power and when the gasoline engine is
running. An optional LCD display in the center stack gives instant
and average fuel economy as well as a pictorial representation of
how the power is flowing at any instant.
The Escape's hybrid engine shuts down at rest to conserve fuel.
When driving resumes, the SUV's 70-kilowatt traction motor
generator can launch the vehicle on electric power. When it's
needed, the generator starts the gas engine without the increased
emissions produced when a conventional engine is started
The Escape Hybrid also produces as little as half the amount of
carbon dioxide (greenhouse gas) as a conventional gas engine. It
produces 97 percent less hydrocarbon and oxides of nitrogen
emissions than vehicles meeting today’s required emission
standards. That qualifies it for the Advanced Technology Partial
Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards designation.
Being the leader in the development of low emission vehicles, Ford
continually develops projects that will someday result in
practical hydrogen-powered vehicles with no greenhouse gas
emissions.
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About the Author
Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa
and has a knack for research on cars and anything
and everything about it. She works full time as a
Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers
in the country today.
