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Fusion Hybrid and Focus 2011 Top 10 Green Cars*
With its outstanding fuel economy,? Fusion Hybrid was an obvious choice for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com 2011 Top 10 Green Cars. But the driving dynamics, comfort and available SYNC® technology features were truly what won them over. While "packing the latest and most potent gas/electric package in Ford history," according to Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com editors, it "balances impressive performance with excellent creature comforts and mileage marks that simply blow most other mid-size hybrid sedans into the weeds."
The all-new Focus also wowed them with its handling, outfitted interior, available SYNC technology and available active park assist. Not to mention, a solid 40 mpg hwy with the SFE Package.?"A conservative look with refined handling and plenty of cool features make the 2012 Ford Focus an appealing choice for drivers seeking a value-oriented American compact."
To see the complete list of 2011 Top 10 Green Cars, click here.
*For more information about the 2011 Top 10 Green Cars from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc.
?EPA-estimated 41 city/36 hwy/39 combined mpg.
?EPA-estimated 28 city/40 hwy/33 combined mpg, SE with SFE Package.
2012 Ford Focus Electric Is Greener Than You Might Think
What makes an electric vehicle environmentally friendly or green? Most would say it is the zero-emissions of the all-electric motor. However, the 2012 Ford Focus Electric has more going for it than just the all-electric powertrain and global C-segment chassis. When building a car that is marketed on how sustainable it is, it makes sense to change how you approach the materials going into the vehicle so they to are the most environmentally friendly. At least, that seems to be the Ford Motor Company approach to building an electric car. It might just surprise you how much comes from recycled or renewable sources in the all-new Focus Electric.
Carrie Majeske, product sustainability manger, Ford Motor Company explains it like this:
"An electric vehicle is already considered a green vehicle, but Ford wanted to go a step further by looking at ways to make the materials inside the Focus Electric more eco-friendly as well. Using recycled or renewable materials in lieu of petroleum-based materials allows Ford to minimize the amount of virgin materials used in the Focus Electric."
So then, you are probably thinking that they are using recycled content to make plastic parts of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric. You would be right, pop bottles and milk jugs are just some of the materials recycled and used to make components of underbody shields, wheel arch liners and air cleaner assemblies. The process is part of Ford's strategy to increase the use of resins. Why resin? The answer is simple; it helps reduce the use of oil-based plastics, which cuts down on oil consumption. This isn't Ford's only method; they also use soy-based foams (used in more than 20 Ford vehicles) in the seat cushions. The sound deadening is also sustainable and made from a material called Lignotock. The oddly named material is derived from 85 percent wood fibers. The material is lighter in weight and helps provide weight reduction for better?.electric economy.
The car isn't the only place Ford is looking to increase their sustainable practices. They are also introducing "innovative production processes" at their Wayne, Michigan plant. These processes include the three-wet paint process that applies all three coats of finish in sequence prior to oven curing. The result is a high-quality finish and a "significant reduction" in energy usage. Other interesting innovations include the Fumes-to-Fuel system that takes emissions from the plant's paint shop and converts them into electricity.
Bottom line?sustainability isn't just measured by the emissions coming out of the tailpipe, it is the big picture including the entire raw material and manufacturing process. Check out the greener 2012 Ford Focus Electric when they hit dealers late this year.
Two new versions of the Ford C-MAX will debut at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. The C-MAX Energi is a plug-in hybrid electric version of the new multi-activity vehicle, and C-MAX Hybrid is a full hybrid variant. Both will be offered in North America in 2012 and Europe in 2013.
C-MAX Energi is predicted to achieve more than 500 miles of driving range using the battery and engine; more than any other plug-in or extended-range vehicle. C-MAX Hybrid is expected to deliver better miles-per-gallon than the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid which is the most fuel-efficient sedan in America. It builds on the success of the powersplit architecture Ford uses in its current hybrids, allowing it to operate in fuel-saving electric mode beyond 47 mph.
"C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid will be perfect for families looking to maximize their hybrid car experience," said Nancy Gioia, Ford Director of Global Electrification. "Thanks to the versatile interior, these cars are going to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers who need room to grow."
Both of these versions will leverage the Ford global C-car platform, powersplit hybrid architecture, next-generation driver information features and advanced, lighter and smaller lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery systems. This expanded range of Ford C-MAX line gives consumers more choice, versatility and style for high-mileage family-friendly vehicles. They will be built alongside the all-new 2012 Ford Focus and Focus Electric at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich.
Targeted to achieve Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) status, C-MAX Energi provides maximum fuel efficiency by pairing a high-voltage lithium-ion battery and electric traction motor with a high-efficiency Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine. This allows it to run in electric mode before using the gasoline engine.
In general, plug-in hybrid vehicles offer several benefits, including:
- Electric driving range, perfect for emissions-free and silent city driving
- Potential consumer savings on energy and fuel costs thanks to improved fuel efficiency over a standard hybrid
- Reduced dependency on petroleum and increased energy independence
- Reduced environmental impact through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
- Increased use of electricity from renewable energy sources (e.g. wind and solar), where available, for vehicle recharging
C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid will use advanced lithium-ion battery systems developed and assembled in-house by Ford in Michigan. Each system is designed to maximize use of common, high-quality components, such as control board hardware that has proven field performance in current Ford hybrid vehicles.
Li-ion battery packs offer a number of advantages over the nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries that power today's hybrid vehicles. In general, they are 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter, which makes them easier to package in a vehicle, and can be tuned to increase power to boost acceleration or to increase energy to extend driving distance.
While C-MAX Hybrid will operate much like today's hybrid vehicles, C-MAX Energi will benefit from daily charging to maximize its all-electric range. Thanks to the efficiencies of its right-sized battery system, the plug-in hybrid easily recharges 100 percent overnight on a 120-volt outlet.
A full charge in C MAX Energi allows owners to increase their driving significantly in all-electric mode and drastically reduce their use of the on-board fuel engine.
C-MAX Energi owners will have access to a suite of driver information systems ? on-board and off-board ? designed to help them manage the recharge process, manage the most eco-friendly route on-board, remotely control their vehicle's charge and preconditioning settings, monitor battery state of charge and maximize energy efficiency to extend use of electric mode. C-MAX Hybrid owners also will benefit from the on-board features.
Among these tools is a unique execution of MyFord Touch™ driver connect technology, especially for electrified driving. It offers exceptional configurability of vehicle information, including fuel level, battery power level, and average and instant miles per gallon.
The cluster's new MyView feature allows drivers to access even more vehicle data such as the electrical demands of vehicle accessories, including air conditioning, which influences fuel economy and the electric driving range of the C-MAX Energi.
The Brake Coach feature helps to educate drivers to optimize their use of the regenerative brakes to recapture kinetic energy and send it back to the battery, also reducing wear on the brakes.
Off-board, C-MAX Energi owners in North America can maintain constant contact with the car anywhere they have mobile phone or web access using the Ford-developed MyFord Mobile.
MyFord Mobile enables access to a secure Ford website and smartphone/feature phone app to get instant vehicle status information, perform key functions remotely, monitor the car's state of charge and current range, get various alerts including when the vehicle requires charging, remotely program charge settings and download vehicle data for analysis.
Using the value charging feature, powered by Microsoft, C-MAX Energi owners in North America will be able to optimize their home's energy use and vehicle recharging practices. Value charging allows Ford customers to reduce their electricity costs by taking advantage of off-peak or reduced rates from their utility without a complicated set-up process.
C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid are two of five electrified vehicles that Ford will bring to the North American market during the next two years. In addition, the Ford Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, built in collaboration with Azure Dynamics, began initial production at the end of 2010, and Focus Electric will launch in late 2011. A second next-generation hybrid electric vehicle will be announced at a later date, and will be available in North America and Europe in 2012.