Ford and Hydro-Quebec Join Forces for Electrification

Ford continues its efforts aimed at the electric sector and yesterday joined forces with Hydro-Quebec, the largest electricity generator in Canada which is supposed to enhance the company's evolution in the electric car market. Hydro-Quebec entered a North American three-year campaign started by Ford that will better allow the American manufacturer to develop electric vehicles. The whole program is based on the Ford Escape PHEV and will provide data related to battery technology, vehicle systems, customer use and grid infrastructure.

"We have to work towards replacing oil by electricity, at least for personal and urban transportation. The transport sector accounts for 42% of Québec's greenhouse gas emissions. The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that could be achieved through the electrification of transport in Québec, where 98% of the electricity is produced from renewable sources, would be considerable. Hydro-Québec is committed to doing its part in this area,” noted Thierry Vandal, Hydro-Québec’s president and CEO.

Overall, Ford has prepared 21 vehicles for the trials, according to a release by the American manufacturer, while Hydro-Quebec is the only Canadian company participating in the North American Ford PHEV Program.

“The delivery of this Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid vehicle today represents another step in our development and understanding of the technology and its place in the overall energy picture,” said Nancy Gioia, director, Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle programs at Ford Motor Company.

The Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid is an advanced model, only designed in prototype form for the time being, powered by lithium-ion batteries. The whole recharging process takes six to eight hours. According to data revealed by Ford, the vehicle is capable of achieving a fuel consumption rating of 120 mpg (around 2 liters per 100 km) on electric power alone.