Increase Text Size
Decrease Text Size
Email This Story
Share This Story
Reader Comments (7)
Add to Bookmarks
Printer Friendly Version
Ford Motor Co. and Southern California Edison (SCE) are combining resources to explore ways to make plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) more accessible to consumers, reduce petroleum-related emissions and improve the cost-effectiveness of the nation's electricity grid.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technologies are not yet competitive due primarily to the high cost of advanced batteries. Ford and SCE will explore whether these batteries have other uses that could reduce their cost to consumers
Plug-in hybrid technology offers the opportunity to use as transportation fuel the nation's growing renewable generation portfolio as well as surplus off-peak power. This collaboration is designed to examine the future of PHEVs as part of a complete vehicle, home and grid energy system.
"The Ford Motor Company team is firmly focused on delivering products people really want," said Alan Mulally, president and chief executive officer of Ford. "This unique partnership with Southern California Edison will allow us to explore new solutions for our customers' growing need for energy conservation."
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technologies are not yet competitive due primarily to the high cost of advanced batteries. Ford and SCE will explore whether these batteries have other uses that could reduce their cost to consumers.
One popular vision of plug-in hybrid automotive technology is the potential for owners to charge their vehicles in the evening when the cost to produce electricity is low, and then store and use that energy during peak hours of the day, when electricity costs are high. Advanced batteries also could store energy from rooftop solar panels more efficiently.
Edison's nationally recognized Electric Vehicle Technical Center in Pomona, California, is testing advanced battery technologies that could further enhance the emergence of future energy storage applications in the utility industry.
"Advanced batteries also could store energy from rooftop solar panels more efficiently."
More efficiently than what?
Xantrex launches new solar grid-tie inverter lineup for commercial and residential applications. They should incorporate V2G capability and net metering for areas that have variable power rates.
RDH
Ford motor should be treating this like a war time situation. If they don't put a
tremendous effort into the hybrid electric car, they will lose to companies like Toyota.
HELLO FOLKS < MR TOM WILL HAS GOT THE RIGHT IDEA <EXCEPT WHY NOT ADD THE "SUPPRESSED GEET ENGINE TECHNOLOGY " THE OIL BOYS DONT WANT ANYBODY TO SEE:SUCH AS INCREASED MPG AND MUCH EASIER STARTING PLUS LESS WEAR AND TEAR ON THE ENGINE IT PUTS SOME "HYBRED TECHNOLOGIES TO SHAME! HONDA HAS THE RIGHT COMBO!!!!!CHECK OUT "TELSA TECH " !!!
They need the advance batteries to meet the high energy demands of driving the vehicle, and to reduce weight. A lead acid batteries are relativly cheap, heavy and have a limit life span. A lead acid battery would only last about 2 to 3 years in this type of application. An advance battery should last over 100,000 miles and 8 years. Would be lighter, and more compact. This would also increase driving range. The Tesla sports car can drive over 200 miles on a single charge.
The new batteries use lithion in their construction. Plug in hybrids are the next logical step in transportation.
This technology needs to push forward, because of the high demands of foscel fuels. Their is a real possibility we will see $4.00 gallon gas in 2008. Consumers are just starting to demand alternatives to the internial combustion engine.
More amd more it will be clenaer in the cities. Just like the Coty of New York it will intoduce the Hybrid on the short term for all the yellow cabs. More electric power than the prius now a days have is a perfect step when the electricity is related to green energy.
Martin Kleintunte www.idet.nl
Previous Article
