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Ford tests extend hybrid battery life

Ottawa Sun -- Ford has developed a laboratory test that should give hybrid shoppers some peace of mind.

What’s the biggest concern for potential buyers of hybrid vehicles? Well, in a survey conducted for Ford, battery life beat out all other considerations including fuel economy and the number of safety features.

With that in mind, Ford has developed a laboratory test that should give hybrid shoppers some peace of mind. The test subjects the company’s new lithium-ion batteries to the equivalent of 10 years and 240,0000 km of use.

In the laboratory, Ford engineers can simulate the location of a battery within a vehicle, the extreme temperature ranges it might have to endure, and various kinds of wear and tear such as hard acceleration and frequent stopping. And all this can be done in the space

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Submitted Dec 16, 2012 By: Nicoalbum

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,624 Points:1,609,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2012 5:54:08 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse I like the idea of recharge while being parked via solar energy...
DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:7,064 Points:1,627,125 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Dec 18, 2012 12:04:44 AM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse getting there
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,820 Points:642,275 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 11:37:51 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse Our Camry hybrid just went over 100K with no signs of loss of battery life thus far! It's a great car!
lesndave Champion Author Texas Posts:3,042 Points:701,380 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 11:14:49 PM Ignore lesndave Report Abuse Keep the improvements coming
ceklea Veteran Author Twin Cities Posts:353 Points:1,287,920 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 1:34:48 PM Ignore ceklea Report Abuse Ford hopes to triple production of electrified vehicles by 2013, all equipped with "advanced lithium-ion batteries which can be up to 30% lighter, with almost three times the power of NiMH batteries."
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,624 Points:1,609,520 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 17, 2012 5:57:38 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse still not guaranteed.
livedream Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,685 Points:755,060 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:14:38 PM Ignore livedream Report Abuse Good news! Great progress! Go Ford!
sillywagon Champion Author New York Posts:14,891 Points:1,442,095 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 8:06:05 PM Ignore sillywagon Report Abuse Is this good news? At least the EPA isn't doing the tests. Ford has financial incentives to get accurate results.
Ahking Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,507 Points:603,450 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 6:35:42 PM Ignore Ahking Report Abuse going in the right direction.
my2002m Champion Author Tulsa Posts:6,074 Points:1,670,300 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 6:22:50 PM Ignore my2002m Report Abuse I wonder if those tests are similar to the mileage tests of their hybrids. Maybe a little overstated.
335d1 Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,381 Points:759,045 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 4:26:38 PM Ignore 335d1 Report Abuse Good news.
jjjleblanc Champion Author Rochester Posts:5,877 Points:1,519,305 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 4:05:57 PM Ignore jjjleblanc Report Abuse Step in the right direction.
MountainManATL Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:7 Points:436,040 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 3:22:19 PM Ignore MountainManATL Report Abuse Wow, out of 50 million cells installed in Ford vehicles, only 6 cells have ever failed. That's wonderful, but i am a tad skeptical given as many times as I've read on forums of people have battery packs replaced in Escape hybrids in early years.
drobbbb Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,480 Points:812,460 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 3:03:22 PM Ignore drobbbb Report Abuse need this in order to compete with the other alternatives
dave27johnson Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,788 Points:409,045 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 2:52:16 PM Ignore dave27johnson Report Abuse Batteries keep improving.
YumaFellow Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,290 Points:622,595 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 2:34:22 PM Ignore YumaFellow Report Abuse Sounds like advancements are being made. But I wonder how extreme the environment was in which the tests were made. Some Arizona drivers have complained that their hybrids don't work so well in the desert heat.
SUPERSTEVIEO Champion Author Quebec Posts:3,523 Points:787,115 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 12:50:18 PM Ignore SUPERSTEVIEO Report Abuse sounds encouraging... but how reality representative is it???
unipanini All-Star Author New York Posts:903 Points:264,575 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 12:18:27 PM Ignore unipanini Report Abuse cool
CVA19 Champion Author Salem Posts:2,393 Points:609,575 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 11:44:10 AM Ignore CVA19 Report Abuse Um, ss70, that's 240,000 kilometers which converts to about 150,000 miles. Maybe it is just an innocent omission, but nowhere in the article is there mention of the degradation percentage of the batteries at 10 years or 150,000 miles. Including the information that a consumer may only be able to travel half the distances or less toward the end of the battery life might sour the article.
ss70 Champion Author Detroit Posts:9,662 Points:1,870,100 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 11:20:35 AM Ignore ss70 Report Abuse wow 250000 is a lot of miles and if they can improve the density at low cost that would make the battery tech great.
BEGTWO Champion Author Maryland Posts:1,947 Points:724,515 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 11:15:56 AM Ignore BEGTWO Report Abuse OK
YaBassa Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,430 Points:517,100 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:59:50 AM Ignore YaBassa Report Abuse This is great news
sciotosix Champion Author Dayton Posts:2,749 Points:666,125 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:59:34 AM Ignore sciotosix Report Abuse Sounds good...maybe my next vehicle.
pleinyeux All-Star Author Montreal Posts:786 Points:200,605 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:31:00 AM Ignore pleinyeux Report Abuse Give me a good results.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,017 Points:2,345,510 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:30:10 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Ford tests extend hybrid battery life? Whatever the battery is made of, make sure it has the highest possible electrical capacity, longest possible range, quickest possible recharging time with the lightest weight to power for that EV or Inbred. It may not be Lead, NiCad, Lithium or some exotic material or mineral, just make sure it works like it was designed to do. My current vehicle was paid off many years ago and I don't need any car payments now! I will drive my current vehicle into the ground before buying anything new, used, EV, Inbred, diesel, hydrogen, alternative fuel, CNG, concept and certainly NOT a Fiat, Prius, Tesla, Leaf, Volt or an NYC/hurricaneSandy Special 'exploding submarine' Fiskar Karma Inbred! Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, vehicle manufactures Produce and the population ‘Drives’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! XII/XXII/MMXII!
skb69sa Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,487 Points:711,375 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:18:57 AM Ignore skb69sa Report Abuse Ok, let them test it and share their results.
Seamus4513 Champion Author Orange County Posts:2,583 Points:386,580 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:17:34 AM Ignore Seamus4513 Report Abuse Excellent
diesel8888 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,196 Points:359,515 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:17:30 AM Ignore diesel8888 Report Abuse I'm glad that Ford is still innovative after all these years. I guess this explained why they are still in business. I wish they would make small Diesel engines for smaller car or trucks. Electric is a great alternative, but 100 mile range per day is not good enough. Hybrid? Go ask pepboys or your local mechanic if they would work on it?
Hangnail309 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:6,024 Points:1,677,180 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:16:38 AM Ignore Hangnail309 Report Abuse Ok, but not interested just yet.
200porter Champion Author Toronto Posts:2,065 Points:542,135 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:13:17 AM Ignore 200porter Report Abuse Good.
flyank Veteran Author Miami Posts:358 Points:267,150 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:10:19 AM Ignore flyank Report Abuse This was a no-brainer.
Cyberkedi Champion Author Atlanta Posts:13,371 Points:2,317,615 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:04:09 AM Ignore Cyberkedi Report Abuse I hope to drive my 2011 Focus quite a few more years - but maybe my next car will be a hybrid. Or an all-electric. I'll have to play this by ear.
sljbc475 Champion Author Tucson Posts:4,220 Points:872,375 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 10:03:52 AM Ignore sljbc475 Report Abuse Good for Ford testing and innovation.
PissedATthePump All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:507 Points:119,580 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:59:36 AM Ignore PissedATthePump Report Abuse There are still two members of the Ford family on the FMC board.
74celica Champion Author Columbus Posts:1,430 Points:1,809,700 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:58:16 AM Ignore 74celica Report Abuse will they warrant it for that long?
atdinut Champion Author California Posts:1,608 Points:353,985 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:58:15 AM Ignore atdinut Report Abuse First off, Ford tries to make(and fool) the American public with the figures! 240K km is not quite 150K miles...............
wavery Veteran Author Philadelphia Posts:453 Points:260,275 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:56:54 AM Ignore wavery Report Abuse I would be more inclined to buy if the battery could be counted on to last that long.
Marson Champion Author Scranton Posts:8,947 Points:2,078,160 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:56:37 AM Ignore Marson Report Abuse We need to put lots of effort into battery rewearch.
mberg Champion Author Houston Posts:3,807 Points:960,380 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:56:27 AM Ignore mberg Report Abuse Good news for Ford, given the amount of negative publicity they've had recently.
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,231 Points:2,372,120 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:56:11 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse a good sales tool
sit Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,205 Points:1,932,945 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:54:45 AM Ignore sit Report Abuse Still too short.
Rick01 Champion Author Utah Posts:9,018 Points:2,362,575 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:53:19 AM Ignore Rick01 Report Abuse Ok, but not yet.
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,832 Points:1,606,060 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:51:35 AM Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse It looks like ford still has better ideas
NotmeuQc Champion Author Montreal Posts:5,651 Points:1,133,925 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:50:08 AM Ignore NotmeuQc Report Abuse I at the moment am not considering an EV.
BillHeatherL Champion Author Alberta Posts:7,643 Points:1,924,630 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:49:07 AM Ignore BillHeatherL Report Abuse i will keep my old truck
noonedwagfan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:965 Points:242,080 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:48:58 AM Ignore noonedwagfan Report Abuse At least we are not talking about getting longer extension cords.
slgas Champion Author Houston Posts:6,030 Points:1,562,540 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:48:41 AM Ignore slgas Report Abuse We'll have to wait and see the validity of the lab work.
peapaw Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,041 Points:688,770 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:48:32 AM Ignore peapaw Report Abuse ok
KillChain Champion Author Albuquerque Posts:5,610 Points:1,531,260 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:48:11 AM Ignore KillChain Report Abuse Keep testing, does not help if you are behind other car makers.
TopGunn Champion Author Baltimore Posts:9,186 Points:2,616,280 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Dec 16, 2012 9:47:20 AM Ignore TopGunn Report Abuse I am still not convinced that electric vehicles are the way to go.