EPA cites Ford as automaker with most fuel economy improvement
Ford's combined car and truck fuel economy has improved nearly 20% since 2004.
FordMotor Company has improved in fuel economy more than any other major automakersince 2004, according to a recent report by the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA). The EPA rated Ford’s combined car and truck fuel economyimprovement at nearly 20 percent, almost double the next closest competitor.
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As
an example of this increase, Ford notes that the fuel efficiency of the 2010
Ford Fusion improved 21% over the 2009 model, jumping from 28 mpg to 34 mpg in
highway driving. Powertrain improvements were a big difference maker in this improvement — Fusion
and other new models benefit from the introduction of Ford’s new six-speed
transmission, which offers a wider gear span than four-speed transmissions.
The
six-speed allowed Ford’s engineers the flexibility to tune the powertrain for
greater responsiveness in low gears and better fuel economy in the taller
gears. The new double-overdrive gearbox is designed to contribute up to 4% fuel
economy improvement. Ford says it is committed to having almost 100% of its
transmissions be advanced six-speed gearboxes by 2013.
Beyond
the powertrain, 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 its Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids and its
fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines to further improve its fleet-wide fuel economy.
EcoBoost
engines are available in the Ford Taurus, Ford Flex, Lincoln MKS and Lincoln
MKT. Recently honored with a Popular Mechanics’ Breakthrough Award,EcoBoost uses gasoline turbocharged direct-injection technology for up to 20%better fuel economy, 15% fewer CO 2 emissions and superior drivingperformance versus larger-displacement engines.
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On
average, nearly one in five buyers of the Taurus, Flex, Lincoln MKS and MKT
have opted for EcoBoost since the engine lineup’s introduction in August. By
2013, Ford says it will offer EcoBoost engines in 90% of its product lineup
with annual volume of vehicles with EcoBoost at 1.3 million globally.
The
progress made by Ford during the past few years reflects an engineering
philosophy that every joule of energy gained through incremental improvement is
precious. Ford engineers use a systems approach to manage vehicle energy and
implement a variety of design and engineering solutions that caneach improve
fuel economy by 1% or more. Taken together, the improvements help deliver
significant savings for consumers at the pump.
Ford
is also eliminating energy waste in every vehicle system, including power
steering. Ford’s new Electric Power Assist Steering (EPAS) can improve fuel
economy up to 3%, while reducing CO 2 emissions and enhancingsteering performance.
According
to Ford, 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 company says 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.
In
addition to fuel economy, Ford also reports that it has lowered its tailpipe CO 2 emissions more than any other automaker, with a fleet-wide average of 434 gramsper mile — 37 grams lower than its 2007 total and 25 grams lower than 2008.
Launched
in 2009, Ford plans to continue following what it calls "an aggressive plan" to
bring pure battery-electric vehicles, next-generation lithium-ion battery
powered hybrids and a plug-in hybrid to market quickly and more affordably during
the next four years. Vehicles included in this plan are:
- Transit Connectbattery-electric commercial van in 2010
- Focus Electric passenger carin 2011
- Next-generation hybridvehicle in 2012
- Plug-in hybrid in 2012
Fordclaims these new vehicles pave the way for additional applications in thefuture, using Ford’s high-volume global small car and midsize car platforms.
As
part of Ford’s electrification plan, it will bring battery system design,
development and manufacturing in house as a core competency in support of the
development of its next-generation hybrid vehicle in 2012. Ford will continue
to work with supplier Johnson Controls-Saft on the design and development of
battery cells and packs for Ford’s PHEV that also launches in 2012.
Access
other ControlEngineering content related to automotive sustainabilityefforts:
- Transportationindustry manufacturing groups call for cooperation on emissions and energyissues
- Societyof Manufacturing Engineers considers sustainability anindustrial requirement
- Controland simulation technology play key roles in EcoCAR challenge
– Edited by David Greenfield , editorial director
Control Engineering Sustainable Engineering News Desk
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