The new diesel engine, available in the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty, is B20 compatible, which allows customers an additional fueling option that uses blends of up to 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel. Biodiesel is a type of diesel fuel that is derived from renewable energy sources and feedstocks, such as vegetable oils and animal fats.

This additional fueling flexibility is important to a wide range of customers. Renewable, biodegradable fuels are especially vital in the agricultural segment, where biodiesel is often the preferred fuel.

In the US, government fleet customers and energy providers must comply with the Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 1992, which mandates that a certain percentage of new vehicle purchases have alternative fuel capability. Additionally, certain US states and municipalities offer credits or incentives that encourage B20 use, making it an attractive alternative.

According to biodiesel.org, the 500 million gallons of fuel the U.S. biodiesel industry produced in 2007 offset nearly 12 million barrels of oil. The organization also reported that a recent study concluded that in 2007 alone, the biodiesel industry supported more than 21,000 jobs and added more than $4 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

New diesel engine’s extreme durability testing

During the Super Duty’s development, engineers put more than 10.3 million equivalent test miles on the new diesel engine, including extreme road and weather conditions. The new Power Stroke diesel is the most tested Power Stroke ever, incorporating the most rigorous engine tests found in Ford globally.

Customer data, including driving styles, road types and vehicle usage (towing and payload), also played a key role in developing the testing program that best replicated Super Duty use.

Components were tested in the laboratory with a regimen designed to exceed what even the most extreme-use customer might dish out. Engines literally ran continuously for hundreds of hours.

This strict testing work helped ensure the new engine is B20 compatible. Because biodiesel fuel varies in quality in the U.S. and Canada, durability testing cycles were run on multiple blends of the fuel to ensure the robustness of the system. Engine components that are not compatible with B20 will suffer premature wear or corrosion and will have a high potential for leaks if the sealing components are not compatible with biofuels.

Specific steps for B20 compatibility

To address the challenges presented by biodiesel, the engineering team performed a complete review of biodiesel fuel properties (history and lessons learned) and examined the effects on each system, subsystem and component of the engine and vehicle to determine how best to design and test each component. Ford’s multifaceted approach included extensive testing on the dynamometer, the vehicle and in the laboratory to ensure compatibility.

Customers who opt for the more environmentally friendly fuel can rest assured they will receive top performance. The new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine is rated at a significantly improved 735 ft.-lb. of torque at 1,600 rpm and 390 horsepower at 2,800 rpm.

This increased flexibility is an important component of the new engine.

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The Hermance award, which is given by BermanWorks, the media company behind HybridCars.com, honors new North American vehicles that best represent the vision of practical efficiency and risk-taking – two qualities the engineering wizard and avid pilot cherished. The voting committee recognized Fusion Hybrid for “setting a whole new benchmark” for mainstream hybrid-electric vehicles.

“The word that most evokes the design and engineering accomplishment seen in the Ford Fusion Hybrid is integration,” the Hermance Committee said in its official statement. “Any remnants of dissonance in joining the yin of gasoline with the yang of electricity – whether for the feel of regenerative braking or the twinge of motor-generator and engine transitions – have been erased. The result is a product that is indeed a feat of seamless fusion, one that truly creates a new paradigm for how hybrid cars should drive.”

The Hermance committee went on to praise Fusion Hybrid’s “no compromise” drivability and functionality as well as its SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide human-machine interface. Its independent members also predicted that the Fusion Hybrid will “stand the test of time as a product that, years from now, will mark the beginning of when hybrids became transparent in terms of how they operate.”

The committee concluded that Dave Hermance himself would approve of Ford’s accomplishment with the Fusion Hybrid, “marrying a seamless, sophisticated hybrid powertrain to a highly competitive product, positioned solidly in the middle of the mainstream market.”

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DTE Energy of southeastern Michigan invited PHEV-curious consumers into its “Smart Garage” at the North American International Auto Show. What the heck is a PHEV? Well it’s a hybrid-hybrid. Confused? It’s pretty simple actually. You have a normal hybrid vehicle that can be plugged in and ran as an electric vehicle. Once that energy starts to run a little low the normal hybrid system fires up.  AT the NAIAS, DTE energy demonstrated how electric vehicle users will use smart meter technology to recharge their vehicle using renewable energy sources such as solar panels.

In this video, DTE Energy manager Hawk Asgeirsson talks about the potential for electric vehicles and smart garages.

Learn more about Ford’s work with its utility partners.

What will they think of next?

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When we got on the phone with Thomas we dived right into it, asking how he got his start at Ford.

How did you get your start with Ford?

After Thomas explained his interest in sustainability and the natural progression to becoming the global Sustainability Report Manager for Ford Motor Company I asked him for a little bit of background into life in the Ford Sustainability Department and  what he liked best about working in such a key role for FoMoCo.

Can you give us a glimpse into the your career at FoMoCo? It must be fun!

Just last week, the Leafy Lundi was centered around the Transit Connect Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) in an article titled Get connected with a Green Fleet. It was launched at the Chicago auto show in the middle of February and is very impressive for small business owners. You can read all about it on our blog but we wanted to know when it was expected to hit the road in Canada for our customers.

When do you expect the Battery Electric Transit Connect to hit the road?

The Transit Connect is great for small business but most folks are looking for a vehicle to get to and from work, get the kids to the rink on the weekends, go on a quick weekend excursion or hopefully to the airport for a brief winter hiatus to somewhere hot. The next question was how this technology could be adapted for regular consumers and more importantly what will be the next (BEV) coming down the pipe that isn’t a work van?

Are there any other battery electric vehicles coming down the pipe?

Ford is proud to feature EcoBoost technology, award winning hybrids and now the BEV’s, there are some competing elements there for a greener environment. We’re curious to know how they will all shake out going forward and if one will squeeze out another or if they are all in harmony as a well rounded “Green Ninja” of a portfolio.

How do the 3 main “green” initiatives fit in with sustainability?

In 2011 the Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or café as it’s normally called is raising the bar and broadening the scope of vehicles. This café could be incredibly taxing (well beyond Starbucks!!) for manufacturers. Forget headache, this will be a severe migraine for manufacturers who don’t meet standards. The requirements take every single vehicle sold across the US and Canada then assess a penalty of $5.50 USD for every 0.1 mpg under the standard….. so very roughly for Ford it would mean $80 MIL for ever 0.1 MPG not meeting the standard. We wanted to know how Ford stacks up against other car makers and what the plan is to high jump this raised bar.

How is Ford positioned to meet upcoming fuel economy mandates? (CAFE)

Recently posted on The Ford Story website was an article about Ford’s Go Green Dealership program. As a dealership, leveraging Ford’s expertise in sustainability is an attractive offer. Capital Ford has implemented multiple recycling stations for paper and cans along with some electricity conservation measures but the voluntary Ford program takes it to another level. We wanted to know if we had a shot at being a Go Green dealer and if there are any being built or retrofitted to date.

Can you tell us about the voluntary Go-Green program for dealers?

Of course, what would a good interview be without a dig for something ground breaking that no one knows about yet and has yet to cover. We asked Thomas for a peek down the rabbit hole to what’s the next new, big extraordinary effort coming from Ford sustainability next.

Can you give us a peek down the rabbit hole at anything big new or cool?

On behalf of Capital Ford we want to acknowledge the interview with a huge Saskatchewanian “Thank You” to Thomas, who just before taking my call just ended a conference call with some European counterparts. He’s a very busy man and we’re privileged to take up a little of his time. I’d be crazy not to thank Ms. Gwen Peake for putting the whole thing together for us. As the Global Digital Communications Manager for Ford I’m confident she has little time to spare and we’re awfully lucky to have won her support.

You can check out all of Ford’s Sustainability Reports all the way back to 2001 on their website here.

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Well, Ford Motor Company has what may be the ultimate electric fleet vehicle going into production later this year – the zero-emissions, all-electric version of the Ford Transit Connect – the 2010 North American Truck of the Year.

The 2011 Transit Connect Electric will use a Force Drive electric powertrain manufactured and integrated by specialty upfitter Azure Dynamics.

Getting charged up and moving

Transit Connect Electric, which will accelerate at a similar rate as the gas-powered Transit Connect and will have a top speed of 125 km/h, has a targeted range of up to 140 kilometers on a full charge.

Owners will have the option of recharging the Transit Connect Electric with either a standard 120V outlet or preferably a 240V charge station, similar to your oven, installed at the user’s base of operations for optimal recharging in six to eight hours. A transportable cord that works with both types of outlets will be available for recharging at both kinds of locations.

The vehicle’s charge port is located above the passenger-side rear wheel well. The onboard liquid-cooled 28-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack is charged by connecting the charge port. Inside the vehicle, an onboard charger converts the AC power from the electric grid to DC power to charge the battery pack.

Driving on electric power

When the vehicle is operating, battery power is provided to the drive motor through the electric powertrain’s motor controller. The motor controller uses throttle input from the driver to convert DC power supplied by the battery into three precisely timed signals used to drive the motor.

The onboard DC/DC converter allows the vehicle’s main battery pack to charge the onboard
12V battery, which powers the vehicle’s various accessories, such as headlights, power steering and coolant pumps.

In the Transit Connect Electric, the battery pack has been efficiently integrated without compromising interior passenger room and cargo space. The battery pack is expected to last the life of the vehicle.

An ideal platform

• With a unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, cargo capacity, accessibility and low purchase and operation costs, the Transit Connect is an ideal choice for electrification.
• The Transit Connect Electric is expected to offer lower cost of operation, because recharging with electricity is generally less expensive than refueling with gasoline. Users may also benefit from much lower maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle. Consider the following:
• The number of components typical in an internal combustion engine and transmission are dramatically reduced in an electric vehicle to just a few moving parts in the electric motor and transaxle, which results in much fewer parts to wear out or maintain
• Electric powertrains operate with solid state electronics, which have demonstrated low or no maintenance over the life of the product
• Electric vehicles have completely sealed cooling systems that do not require refilling, replacement or flushing
• Electric vehicles require no oil changes or tune-ups
• There are no belts to wear out or break and no spark plugs or injectors to clean or adjust
• There is no exhaust system to replace and no liquid fuel system to freeze or clog
• The use of regenerative braking reduces wear and tear on brake pads

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Ford is focused on solutions that reach not just hundreds or thousands of cars, but millions of vehicles – because that is how Ford can truly make a difference. Near- and longer-term advancements from Ford include Eco Boost turbo charging and direct injection technology, multi-speed transmissions, advanced electric power steering, weight reductions, aerodynamic improvements, diesel engines and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles.

Leafy-Lundi is going to bring you articles on what matters the most to you and your family. Check out the upcoming topics and see what Ford is bringing to the table!

• Reducing Petroleum Use by Using Wheat
• Hybrid Vehicles
• Bio Fuel-Capable Vehicles
• Plug-In Hybrids

If there is something that you are interested in learning more about send me a comment and we will post a blog with all the answers.

Visit Capital Ford Lincoln today and test drive your environmentally friendly 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid or 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.

Ford Motor Company is devoted to offering customers affordable environmental technologies in the vehicles they want and value.

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Ford Motor Company has improved in fuel economy more than any other major automaker since 2004, according to a recent report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA rated Ford’s combined car and truck fuel economy improvement at nearly 20 percent, almost double the next closest competitor.

Ford credits its recent gains in fuel economy in part to its introduction of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner hybrids and numerous incremental aerodynamic, mechanical, energy management and weight-saving improvements across its vehicle lineup. Going forward, it expects the 2009 introduction of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids and its fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines to further improve its fleet-wide fuel economy.

Fuel efficiency across the lineup

Dramatic fuel efficiency improvement is evident throughout Ford’s vehicle lineup – from cars and crossovers to sport utilities and trucks. Depending on powertrain specifications, the 2010 Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, Escape Hybrid, Taurus SHO, Flex, F-Series and Transit Connect offer best-in-class or unsurpassed fuel economy. The same can be said of the 2010 Lincoln MKS and MKT and Navigator, Mercury Milan Hybrid and Mariner Hybrid.

Ford expects to see its overall fuel economy continue to rise in 2010 with the introduction of the 2011 Ford Fiesta and redesigned 2011 Ford Focus – both high-mileage small cars.

Not only is the improved fuel efficiency good for customers’ wallets, it benefits the environment as well. As a result of the boost, Ford lowered its tailpipe CO2 emissions more than any other automaker with a fleet-wide average of 434 grams per mile – 37 grams lower than its 2007 total and 25 grams lower than 2008.

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Let’s start Leafy-Lundi with some solid fundamental fuel efficiency best practices.

Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

Every 1 PSI drop in tire pressure cuts your gas mileage by 0.4%. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer.

Your potential savings: $64/year (17 gallons or 64.35 Liters per year)

Use The Recommended Motor Oil

You can improve your gas mileage by 1-2% by using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil. Also, look for motor oil that says “Energy Conserving” on the API performance symbol to be sure it contains friction-reducing additives.

Your potential savings: $41/year (11 gallons or 41.63 Liters per year)

Clean Out Your Trunk

Heavy loads cut into your mileage. Every 100 pounds of unneeded cargo reduces your mileage by 1-2%.

Your potential savings: $41/year (11 gallons or 41.63 Liters per year)

Remove Your Roof Rack

Roof racks are can be a great convenience, but they also create drag that reduces your fuel efficiency by 5%. Remove the rack if you won’t be using it.

Your potential savings: $109/year (29 gallons or 109.77 Liters per year)

Keep Your Engine Tuned

Tuning an engine on average improves mileage by 4%, although fixing severe problems, such as a faulty oxygen sensor can improve mileage by as much as 40%.

Your potential savings: $87/year (23 gallons or 87.06 Liters per year)

Service Your Car Regularly

Dirty air filters, old spark plugs, and low fluid levels can reduce your mileage. (Varies)

YOUR POTENTIAL SAVINGS TOTAL: $342/year (91 gallons or 344.47 Liters per year)

YOUR POTENTIAL SAVINGS TOTAL: $342 per year. What will you buy with the money you save?

Some Extra Tips:

• Don’t mash your pedals – Aggressive acceleration and braking can cut your fuel efficiency by up to 33% on highways. Anticipate changes to traffic for smoother starts and stops.
• Roll up your windows – Open windows increase drag, cutting your mileage up to 10% on highways.
• Go easy on the air conditioning – Blasting the A/C can cut your mileage by 20%. Use it only when you need it.
• Control your speed – Most vehicles get maximum fuel efficiency around 60 miles per hour. At higher speeds, air drag increases exponentially. Use cruise control to maintain a steady speed.
• Use higher gears – Higher gears allow your engine to run at lower speeds, saving engine wear and gas.
• Avoid excessive idling – When you idle, you’re getting 0 miles the gallon. Don’t leave your engine running if you plan to be stationary for more than a minute.
• Avoid rush hour commutes – If you can stagger your commutes, you can avoid the stop-and-go traffic that burns so much gas.
• Share rides, bike to work, or take public transportation – The best way to save gas is not to drive at all.

Have any tips that have worked for you and your family? Let us know!

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