I quit reading after this because I could not stop laughing:

"In order to support plug-in technology and biofuels as part of a drive for energy independence, the U.S. Department of Energy will ... " ound:

... Brad

88mpg in an Escape hybrid? How? cruising down hill?

For the life of me, I'll never understand why the Fed's chose the Ford as a platform for their PHEV. Ford had to buy / cross-license its technology from Toyota. There are gobs of HYHI's and RX-400h's out their compared to the Escape ... which I believe isn't even sold in every state!

88mpg? So then the PHEV will do better using NON-grain based fuel. Why not do that? Why not just use regular gas? Or a diesel? How much more will corn costs and C02 counts have to go up ... and how many more articles will have to be written regarding the foolish wastefulness of plant based fuel, before the government gives up on this idea.

This is another piece of hybrid misinformation that keeps re-popping up in messages and articles.

While you are closer to the truth then others who say Ford bought the technology there is far less commonality between the Toyota and Ford systems then you think.

Ford has over 100 patents on its hybrid system. Toyota has a similar number. There were 21 patents that had to be cross licensed between Toyota and Ford. Toyota wanted to use some of Fords diesel technology that it had patented. So there was a deal.

Ford had made its system independently from Toyota. Some of parts that we think of as the heart of the Toyota system (the planetary gearset) were around long before the Prius. Most of the patents deal with battery management and computer programming and control of the hybrid systems not the mechanical bits we all think of.


Too bad Ford has not met the demand for these great vehicles. The production has only risen about 20% in the past three years. Toyota has more then doubled production since then.

I agree. . . When I started looking at hybrids in early 2005 the decision was between the Prius and the Escape Hybrid. I chose the Prius because I didn't need another small SUV ( I still have a Subaru Forester). If I were looking today the same two vehicles would be at the top of my list.

How long? Until the next President. Hope we can survive until the end of the year. Bush does not make it easy.

The 88mpg looks pretty impressive. I'd like to know if that's including the precharged battery energy.

Is this even available to the public?

Wildkow

p.s. of course not, never mind.

Interesting. I wish Ford the best of luck.

I am still waiting for a Ford Focus hybrid to hit the dealer lots. In the U.S., they would sell millions.
Ford should create their own program to recycle SUVs into new cars.

I think Toyota got some Ford catalyst technology as well, so overall it was a good deal for both. As I work in the industry, I can tell you both companies are still rather touchy about this topic.

(I erased the comment I had typed. Sorry)