Ford Starts Plug-In Hybrid Testing in Florida

Ford wants more plug-in hybrid cars in its line-up, so the American automaker decided to expand the range of its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) research program with the help of its regional utility partner Progress Energy.

The announcement that Progress Energy will add a Ford Escape PHEV to its Florida operations was made today at the University of Central Florida's Solar Smart Grid in Orlando.

Progress Energy, one of the twelve North American energy companies working with Ford to advance the commercialization of electric vehicles, joined the research program in February 2009 when it announced that it would road-test a Ford Escape PHEV in Raleigh, N.C. More that 160,000 miles of road testing were conducted with the 21 Escape PHEV vehicles.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles offer several benefits, including:

• Reduced dependency on petroleum and increased energy independence
• Reduced environmental impact through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
• Potential consumer cost savings on energy/fuel costs

"This PHEV research is helping Ford and our utility partners to better understand the issues related to connectivity between vehicles and the electric grid," said Greg Frenette, Ford manager, Global Electrified Fleets. "We're delighted that Progress Energy is expanding its participation to include the Sunshine State."

"Progress Energy is committed to helping Ford pave the way for electric transportation and confronting the new energy realities of evolving energy demand, global climate change and rising fuel costs," said Rob Caldwell, vice president of Efficiency and Innovative Technology at Progress Energy.