Ford in the Alternative Energy Future
Dearborn MI February 4, 2007; Ford engineers are working on alternative-fuel powertrain systems, including hybrid, clean diesel, hydrogen combustion and fuel cell to accommodate the variety of resources and requirements around the world that will dictate which technologies are likely to catch on, says Nancy Gioia, Ford Motor Company director of Sustainable Mobility Technology Lab and Hybrid Vehicle Programs.
"The reason we don't think there is a single solution is that while there are common challenges around the world, the economic, political and social realities differ from region to region," Gioia told the Automotive World Leadership Congress. "Each region will move toward a solution based not only on the major policy issues of the time, but on the established infrastructure, political climate and unique economies as well as consumer income levels, driving habits, vehicle requirements and preferences."
In Brazil, for example, where sugar crops are abundant, biofuels work well. Biofuels eventually may become more prevalent in North America, where ethanol is slowly gaining traction. But in Europe, where farmland is scarcer, biofuels may prove less desirable, whereas diesel technology has gained a strong toehold.
"Since all of the future fuels under consideration have benefits and drawbacks, it is very possible all of these fuels will be employed for different drivers in different regions in the world," Gioia said.
Europe's need for fuel efficiency became critical earlier than North America's, helping to spur the development of diesel-burning vehicles. Emissions standards for carbon dioxide (CO2) are more stringent in Europe, but carbon dioxide emissions are not regulated in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).story continued
"The reason we don't think there is a single solution is that while there are common challenges around the world, the economic, political and social realities differ from region to region," Gioia told the Automotive World Leadership Congress. "Each region will move toward a solution based not only on the major policy issues of the time, but on the established infrastructure, political climate and unique economies as well as consumer income levels, driving habits, vehicle requirements and preferences."
In Brazil, for example, where sugar crops are abundant, biofuels work well. Biofuels eventually may become more prevalent in North America, where ethanol is slowly gaining traction. But in Europe, where farmland is scarcer, biofuels may prove less desirable, whereas diesel technology has gained a strong toehold.
"Since all of the future fuels under consideration have benefits and drawbacks, it is very possible all of these fuels will be employed for different drivers in different regions in the world," Gioia said.
Europe's need for fuel efficiency became critical earlier than North America's, helping to spur the development of diesel-burning vehicles. Emissions standards for carbon dioxide (CO2) are more stringent in Europe, but carbon dioxide emissions are not regulated in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).story continued
posted by anthony m, at Monday, February 05, 2007
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