Hydrogen-fueled Ford E-450 Buses to Invade Orlando's Roads

The State of Florida together with Ford MotorThe Technology behind the Internal Combustion Engine
Company has announced recently that they areThe Ford E-450 was based on the belief of Ford
putting a fleet of hydrogen-fueled Ford E-450 buses inMotor Company that the hydrogen combustion engine
all of Orlando. It would become the first US city to taketechnology can serve as a means of allowing
delivery of these ultra clean vehicles.hydrogen to become a viable alternative fuel. The use
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has marked the occasion atof hydrogen fueled internal combustion engines
the Chevron Hydrogen station which will provide fuelprovides many advantages including high-efficiency,
for the eight buses that are powered by internalall-weather capability, and near zero emissions of
combustion engines that run exclusively on hydrogen.regulated pollutants and greenhouse gases (CO2). And
Sue Cischke, Ford Senior Vice President forthe best thing about hydrogen fueled internal
Sustainability, Environment, and Safety Engineering said,combustion is the fact that they can be hybridized to
"These buses represent part of Ford Motorboost further fuel efficiency.
Company's strategy to deliver transportation solutionsTo further enhance its hydrogen internal combustion
that emit less CO2 and reduce our dependence on oil.engines, Ford is conducting additional research to
We are pleased to partner with the State of Florida,create its next generation hydrogen internal
Progress Energy and Chevron Hydrogen to placecombustion engines which will include features such as
these buses into service so that Central Floridadirect injection to improve power and fuel economy.
residents will be able to experience this unique form ofFord’s strategy for alternative fuels is shaped
clean transportation."around multiple technologies that include hydrogen
Governor Charlie Crist has also expressed hisinternal combustion engines. Through this approach the
gladness for the new hydrogen buses that they will becompany is able to meet its goals in terms of meeting
receiving. He said, "Today's event demonstrates theup customer needs, environmental impact and even
incredible level of support hydrogen technology isshareholder interests. However the strategy does not
receiving from our nation's distinguished businessonly focus on one catch all solution but offers a wide
leaders. Florida is excited to be a part of thesearray of options that includes hybrids, E85 ethanol,
revolutionary advancements and we are embracingclean diesels, bio-diesels, advanced engine and
the challenges that lie ahead. We are committed astransmission technologies as well as hydrogen fuel
state to be a leader in both the policies and projectscells.
that protect our economy and our environment."The company has already created a fleet of 30
The Ford E-450 shuttle buses are powered by a 6.8hydrogen powered Focus fuel cell vehicles that are
liter V10 engine that been supercharged and fine tunednow being used as part of a world-wide, seven-city
to run exclusively on hydrogen fuel. Of the eight F-450,program that aims to conduct real world testing of fuel
two of which are to be used by the Greater Orlandocell technology. The 3-car fleet has already
Airport Authority (GOAA), and additional two are to beaccumulated 500,000 miles of distance traveled since
assigned for the Orlando Convention Central District.its introduction in 2005. 90,000 of the 500,000 miles
The remaining four are to be delivered to customers inhave been recorded in Florida.
Florida at a later date. Ford has already delivered fiveIn addition, Ford---major stockholder of Mazda the
buses to Canada, three of which are in Ottawa whileproducer of top-of-the-line Mazda AC condenser --- is
the other two are delivered in Vancouver late of 2006.also conducting tests with the world’s first plug-in
All in all Ford will deliver a total of 30 buses tohybrid electric vehicle the Ford Edge with HySeries
customers across North America by the end of thisDrive. The Ford Edge with HySeries Drive makes use
year.of a series electric drivetrain with an onboard
The Ford E-450 shuttle buses in Florida are part of thehydrogen fuel cell generator which gives the vehicle a
state’s broader plan to move toward a greaterrange 255 miles with zero emissions.
application of alternative fuels. And last year, FordAt present, Ford is offering gasoline-electric hybrids
delivered five hybrid hydrogen Ford Focus Fuel Cellthat include the Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner
vehicles as part of a separate effort with the FloridaHybrid which are being employed as taxis in some
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) andcities of US. The company will also launched hybrid
Progress Energy to gain feedback on hydrogen fuelversions of the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan in 2008.
cell technology.