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Ford Invents Hybrid that is *300% more efficient* than Toyota Prius |
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Written by Kacey Green
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Wednesday, 15 February 2006 |
 NewTechSpy Reports : 2/13
Ford is developing a new form of automotive propulsion, and the implications for the American Auto Industry are huge. The Hydraulic Hybrid could be the greatest innovation since the internal combustion engine itself, and Ford is on the inside track with its F-150 Hybrid....
New Tech Spy Has learned details about the system that are simply amazing and could put Ford in a commanding position in the fiercely competitive full size pickup market.
---The Idea behind the current crop of Hybrid cars is well known; the cars main energy comes from gasoline which recharges batteries that move the car at low speeds. Hydraulic Hybrids work in the same manner, only instead of batteries, excess energy is stored in hydraulic cylinders.That in itself is not revolutionary, except for the fact that Nickel Metal Hydride batteries used today are not an efficient way to store energy, and hydraulic storage blows them away with 3X the efficiency. Even next generation Lithium Ion batteries do not come close to Hydraulic Energy Storage.
---The standard F-150 has a curb weight of about 4800 lbs., which is 65% greater than theToyota Prius, yet incredibly the Hydraulic F-150 with a continuously variable transmission matches the Prius with 60mpg city rating, that’s an amazing 400% increase over its gasoline version.
---The F-150 makes for a perfect host for Hydraulic Hybrid technology because of its height and body on frame construction, adding this system to smaller vehicles will be challenging, but with those kind of numbers small vehicles as we know them may become obsolete...The Hydraulic F-150 is currently scheduled for launch in August of 2008, can Ford work out all the bugs by then? The people are waiting for Ford to come through in the clutch.
When Ford first announced this system hybrid enthusiasts thought they were just giving us marketing rhetoric. If they actually get this to market, with the efficiencies claimed, many hybrid experts will have to eat crow. However, Ford and GM are well known for making wild claims, coming out with a cool concept vehicle and then cancelling the whole program at the last minute. If Ford does bring this system to market when promised the stand to change the whole automotive market. Based on their roll-out of gas-electric hybrid technology, they may not put their whole weight behind gas-hydraulic hybrids either. The systems will likely also have an astronomical price-tag. It will be interesting to see the real world figures and performance of this system. What do you think?
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Last Updated ( Friday, 08 September 2006 )
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