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Late next summer, Ford Motor Company promises to release the 2005 Escape Hybrid. The Escape Hybrid will be the first full-hybrid vehicle offered by a domestic auto manufacturer, and is expected to meet the Clean Car Campaign's standard for exceptional fuel economy and low-emissions. Ford reports that the hybrid Escape will deliver power similar to that of the current conventional V-6 Escape while achieving at least 35 mpg during stop-and-go city driving, nearly twice the 19 mpg city rating for the current V-6. The Escape Hybrid will also meet California's strict Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (PZEV) standard. Ford calls the Escape Hybrid the first "no compromise" hybrid, because it will have all the same features as its conventional SUV counterpart, including acceleration performance, substantial people and cargo capacity, and a 4WD option (though this option does reduce fuel economy).
The Escape hybrid will no doubt be watched closely by the rest of the industry as well as Ford management, as an indicator of the potential for success in the hybrid vehicle market. You can help encourage Ford to invest in its Escape Hybrid marketing campaign by expressing your interest early, letting them know there is a large potential market for the vehicle. Ford already has a website in place to collect names of people who are interested in the Escape Hybrid. To receive up-to-date information about the release of the hybrid Escape, and to express your interest in the vehicle, please visit Ford's Escape Hybrid website.
GM to Release Hybrid SilveradoIn just a few weeks, corporate and government fleets will be able to purchase a "mildly" hybridized version of General Motor's Chevrolet Silverado full-size pick-up truck. Expected to be released to individual consumers early next spring, GM says that the Silverado hybrid will deliver fuel economy of 18mpg city/ 23mpg highway, an increase of 10-15% above the current version of the truck. Some of the features of the truck include a V-8 engine coupled with an electric starter-alternator, a 42-volt electrical system, heating and air conditioning that works when the engine is stopped, and an engine idle mode that runs a generator to make electricity. This generator can be tapped through two 120-volt outlets in the truck bed, making the truck a mobile generator.Ê
While not a full hybrid like the Escape Hybrid or Toyota Prius, GM's new hybrid Silverado nonetheless offers significant fuel economy gains in the part of the vehicle market that especially needs improvement.
GM had planned to offer a full-hybrid version of its popular Saturn Vue SUV in 2005, but now plans to introduce full-hybrid versions of its 2007 full-sized Tahoe and Yukon SUVs instead. Again, GM claims it will be making an even larger impact in reducing fuel consumption over the long-run by targeting its more fuel-thirsty vehicles with hybrid technology. "Mild" hybrid versions of the Saturn Vue and Chevrolet Malibu are planned for the 2006 timeframe.
Read more about GM's hybrid and advanced technology plans.
2004 Toyota Prius - Motor Trend's Car of the YearIf you haven't heard already, the 2004 Toyota Prius was named Motor Trend's Car of the Year. This represents the first time a hybrid vehicle has been awarded this distinguished award. For more information visit Motor Trend online.
Clean Car Campaign to Auto Industry: Get the Lead Out!
In August, over 18,500 Clean Car Campaign supporters sent letters to automakers and battery manufacturers asking them to get lead out of the auto industry. We followed up the letters by urging the companies to listen to your concerns and inviting them to discuss with us how their companies could eliminate uses of lead in their products.
You got their attention. Several auto companies and the battery manufacturer's trade association responded by initiating discussions with us about their lead use. While this is just a beginning, you helped to get the ball rolling.
email: info@cleancarcampaign.org