Who's the "greenest" auto maker? ... Ford to offer Plug-in hybrid F-series trucks in 2013

[txlibdem]

Plug-in hybrid Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks coming in 2013
by Eric Loveday (RSS feed) on Jul 28th 2011 at 2:16PM

Azure Dynamics has signed an agreement with Ford whereby Azure will integrate its plug-in hybrid technology into Ford's F-Series Super Duty trucks.

Working in collaboration with Ford, Azure's plug-in hybrid technology will debut on the F-550 Super Duty chassis cab in early 2013. This agreement also allows for Azure to perform plug-in hybrid powertrain conversions on all available configurations of Ford's F-350 and F-450 trucks. Azure says that roughly two-thirds of its plug-in hybrid system will be applicable for all Super Duty configurations, with approximately one-third needing to be powertrain-specific (i.e. gasoline or diesel).

Additionally, the Azure-Ford agreement includes a so-called "ship-thru" provision that will allow Azure to sell its converted vehicles through qualified Ford Commercial Truck dealerships in North America. In 2009, Azure struck up a similar deal with Ford for the Transit Connect Electric.

http://green.autoblog.com/2011/07/28/plug-in-hybrid-ford-f-series-super-duty-trucks-coming-in-2013/

[rucky]

1. That may bring 'em up to double digits in gas mileage.

But we wouldn't know from the press release. No mileage estimates mentioned.

[Drale]

2. Heres my question

will they be able to pull a trailer or a big load in the bed? Because that is the biggest shortfall that I see with the current SUV hybrids, and the reason my family could never have one, we need to pull a trailer.

[madrchsod]

3. maybe a diesel or gas to speed then hybrid power?

sort of a variation of the V-8`s dropping cylinders at speed

[txlibdem]

4. Your question is "will it" but I can only answer "could it" at this time (lack of info)

I understand your concerns: here in North Texas a big percentage of people have boats, trailers, etc., and they take their trucks very seriously.

We just don't have enough info to tell if the Plug-in hybrid F-series (350,450 and 550) Super Duty trucks will have the towing capabilities of the non-hybrid versions of the same size. Yes, they could put a small electric motor meant only to keep the vehicle at cruising speed, which would mean that the ICE engine would take the brunt of the load when starting from a stop and getting up to speed. But don't think that electric motors are all wimpy; Diesel Electric locomotives and some of the huge ore haulers use an electric motor to turn the wheels and the ICE engine only spins a generator to make the electricity for the electric motor. The benefit is that an electric motor has immediate access to its maximum torque even from a dead stop, compared to an ICE engine which has a narrow band of RPMs where it reaches maximum torque (and dead stop aint it).

So, as promised, my answer to "could it" is a definite YES

Reference (includes pictures):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel-electric_transmission

Also, the huge vehicle that carried the space shuttle from its hanger to the launch platform uses electric motors (16 of them!).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crawler-Transporter

[madokie]

7. You 'splained it about as good as can be 'splained

If not for an electric motors ready max torque at stand still and on we would still have steam engines as train engines. Can't get the torque needed to start a long heavily laden train moving with any of the other technologies we have today and do it over and over again.
So the ford super duties will still be able to pull the trailers they always could and then some. Be no losses due to the electric motor on board.
:hi:

[txlibdem]

8. True, since there are so many varieties of plug-in hybrid possible

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plug-in_hybrid#Powertrains

[kristopher]

5. Suggest googling Ford F550.

[hunter]

6. Mattel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_wheels

[kristopher]

9. Information on drive system from Azure

http://www.azuredynamics.com/products/balance-hybrid-electric.htm

This seems to be the system they are talking about. I don't think it is electric drive; it still uses the 5.4L V8 engine and a transmission for propulsion. The EV systems are an assist.

[txlibdem]

10. Looks like that could be it... "Electric-Launch Assist"

from the link: "The hybrid features electric-launch assist, engine-off at idle and regenerative braking which combine to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

I like the term electric-launch assist.