While
Ford has scaled back some
hybrid vehicle plans, at least
in the short term, the company
is not ending its hybrid
technology investment. In
fact, Ford will be displaying
its second generation hybrid
powertrain at the Los Angeles
Auto Show this week. The new
powertrain will be displayed
in a 2008 Ford
Escape hybrid.
Toyota made huge gains in efficiency and power with its second generation hybrid drive compared to its first generation drive. As a result the Toyota Prius sent a notice to every automaker - the hybrids are coming, the hybrids are coming.
Could the second generation Ford hybrid powertrain provide a similar lift to the Escape hybrid or another Ford hybrid?
Perhaps.
Still, the next major revolution in hybrid technology might be dependant upon batteries, and those batteries - almost certainly lithium-ion batteries - might still be 3 to 4 years away from mass production viability. Even then, however, there might still be significant production limitations.
It will be interesting to see how Ford plays this angle. Will the second generation hybrid powertrain be optimized for both the current NiMH batteries and lithium-ion batteries? Is a plug-in option a possibility?
We'll soon find out.
Toyota made huge gains in efficiency and power with its second generation hybrid drive compared to its first generation drive. As a result the Toyota Prius sent a notice to every automaker - the hybrids are coming, the hybrids are coming.
Could the second generation Ford hybrid powertrain provide a similar lift to the Escape hybrid or another Ford hybrid?
Perhaps.
Still, the next major revolution in hybrid technology might be dependant upon batteries, and those batteries - almost certainly lithium-ion batteries - might still be 3 to 4 years away from mass production viability. Even then, however, there might still be significant production limitations.
It will be interesting to see how Ford plays this angle. Will the second generation hybrid powertrain be optimized for both the current NiMH batteries and lithium-ion batteries? Is a plug-in option a possibility?
We'll soon find out.
