Supplementary memorandum submitted by
Ford Motor Company
1. Subsequent to the oral evidence Ford
Motor Company gave to the Committee on 3 May 2006 we were invited
to submit further information covering our perspective on future
environmental technologies in the motor industry.
2. We regard climate change as the single
most important challenge facing our industry. Ford Motor Company
has already made substantial progress in reducing CO2
emissions from new vehicles across all of its brands. As an example
the Ford's new car fleet average has reduced by 21.7% in the period
between 1995 and 2005. As we further reduce CO2 emissions
the associated technology inevitably becomes more advanced and
the incremental gains more expensive to deliver.
Portfolio of Technology Initiatives
3. The scale of the challenge means that
it is not enough to rely on one or two new "flag ship"
environmental technologies in isolation but rather to drive down
emissions with a portfolio approach. In this way it will be possible
to deliver the maximum environmental benefits in the most affordable
way. There is no single "silver bullet" or an easy technology
fix. In order to properly address vehicle CO2 emissions
Ford Motor Company believes that action across a range of technologies
is required.
Conventional Engine Development
4. Within the next ten years we envisage
that conventional gasoline and diesel engines will continue to
offer significant potential for further efficiency gains. Improvements
in fuel economy and CO2 emissions will be achieved
through boosting (turbo charging), down-sizing (reduced engine
capacity), improved valve trains, advanced combustion and direct
injection.
5. Diesel already offers the advantage of
low CO2 emissions, but the next generation of diesels
will utilize further improved high pressure fuel injection systems
combined with variable geometry turbo charging and latest generation
electronic engine management. Advanced combustion processes will
help address regulated emission problems and improve fuel economy
further.
6. Direct injection (DI) gasoline technology
presents a significant opportunity. Downsized and turbo charged
direct injection gasoline engines will provide levels of economy
close to today's diesel whilst still meeting the performance and
drivability criteria demanded by the customer.
Weight Saving
7. Lightweight architectures and enhanced
vehicle design also offer real opportunities in the near to medium
term. Jaguar currently leads the industry in pioneering the use
of lightweight architectures with the all aluminum XJ and recently
launched XK sports car. Both vehicles are best in class on weight
and are highly competitive on fuel consumption/CO2
emissions.
Hybrid Technologies
8. We are also examining the entire range
of hybrid vehicle possibilities. The "micro" hybrid
has limited regenerative braking capability, offers start/stop
functionality and uses a belt-driven generator (belt-ISG). "Mild"
hybrids, typically with a 36 or 42 volt system and a crank-driven
integrated starter generator (crank-ISG), offer in addition to
the start/stop function, modest launch assist and regenerative
braking. The "medium" hybrid (with a higher voltage
electrical architecture) offers increased power assist and full
regenerative braking. The "full" hybrid additionally
offers all the above functions plus electric launch and drive.
Ford currently produces the Escape Hybrid in the US market. It
is Ford's first hybrid and is a "full" hybrid design
delivering a 33% improvement in fuel consumption over the conventional
V-6 Escape.
Alternative Fuels
9. Alternative fuels will form an increasingly
important part of our future strategy. The success of the Ethanol
Focus together with the recently introduced Volvo S40 and V50
flexi-fuel versions in Sweden demonstrates the opportunities that
exist where infrastructure and incentives are provided to "kick
start" the market. Ford is looking at developing further
E85 models. In addition, we are examining the engineering changes
necessary to upgrade all vehicles to make them E10 and B10 capable
providing significant CO2 benefits on a well to wheel
basis.
10. To summarise, Bill Ford has stated that,
"innovation is a compass that will guide our future direction"
and that is clearly true with regards to reducing vehicle CO2
emissions. In the near term our efforts will focus on further
improving the efficiency of gasoline and diesel internal combustion
engines, together with actions in other areas. Affordable hybrids
will play a part as will further advances in lightweight architectures
and other technologies.
11. Advanced vehicle technologies together
with cleaner and alternative fuels from the fuel industry are
only part of the solution, as is improved driver training, improved
road infrastructure and Government support. Ultimately we need
an integrated approach where all stakeholders are committed to
working together to reduce CO2 levels. Our other key
message for Governments is that we need a stable fiscal and legislative
environment enabling competing environmental technologies to flourish.
Ford Motor Company
June 2006
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