Ford and the Environment
With more and more cars on our roads every year the environment is something we have a duty to protect. Ford has always aimed to lead the field and is constantly working to reduce the environmental impact of their cars.
Ford wants it to be easy for people to say, 'I'm an environmentalist and a car enthusiast'.
Ford C-Max, S-Max & Galaxy top the green charts
The following is an extract from CleanGreenCars.co.uk
Ford ... is continually working on innovative policies to protect the environment. Last summer the company announced a £1 billion UK-based research programme to develop environmental technologies which will see efficiency of the Ford Focus, for example, being improved by 20 percent, allowing it to achieve 70mpg while emitting under 100g/km of CO2. In total, Ford expects over 100 models across the Ford, Land Rover, Jaguar and Volvo ranges to benefit from this six-year programme. The company is developing alternative fuel technologies - it already offers biofuel versions of the Focus and the new Mondeo - and is also researching clean diesel, hydrogen-fueled combustion engines and fuel-cell hybrid vehicles. On this last front it recently unveiled the plug-in hydrogen fuel-cell hybrid Edge concept, and is developing a new prototype featuring the same technology installed in a lightweight aluminium body with excellent aerodynamics. Both these models are propelled by electric motors, their lithium-ion batteries providing zero emission operation over short distances (up to 25 miles in the case of the Edge, further with next generation car)while power is generated on-board by a fuel cell - or a small petrol or diesel engine - to recharge the batteries and extend the range to over 200 miles. Ford believes that a plug-in hybrid could be in production between 2015-17.
Clean Diesel
The wind-powered Dagenham Diesel Centre (DDC) is celebrating the successful launch of a new line to produce low-carbon 1.4 and 1.6-litre Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel engines The result of a £130 million investment programme. In a Ford Fiesta, Dagenham's new 1.6-litre engine produces only 116 grammes of CO2 per kilometre.
Flexifuel
Ford was the first vehicle manufacturer in Europe to offer production passenger vehicles with Flexifuel vehicle (FFV) Technology. Priced at a similar level to their petrol-only equivalents, with all the advantages of bio-ethanol, they’re not only good for the environment, but equally good for your wallet.
Indeed Ford is the only car manufacturer developing the five serious environmentally advanced technologies of clean diesel, Flexifuel, electric hybrid, hydrogen internal combustion and fuel cell.
Ford has even driven a hydrogen powered car on the Bonneville flats at 200 mph.
Factories
The green energy production plant at Dagenham Ford is using solar and other renewable energy sources, wherever possible, worldwide. Leading the way is the Dagenham Diesel Centre, the first automotive plant to receive 100% of its manufacturing electricity needs from on-site wind turbines. These graceful, innovative machines provide over 6million kwh of electricity every year. And at Dagenham we’ve also reduced water usage by 67% over the last 5 years by implementing smart recycling processes.
Pioneering solar energy at Bridgend The Bridgend Engine Plant in Wales is the site of the largest integrated solar installation at any Automotive manufacturing centre in Europe. Together, 26 photovoltaic panels generate enough power need to light an area of approximately 10,000 square metres. By using these photovoltaic panels, we’re reducing the CO2 release by 4,400 tones over the life of the plant, 30-years, helping to lessen CO2 not just today but in the years to come.
Recycling
As part of their environmental commitment, Ford have developed a complete vehicle recycling programme, encompassing design-for-recycling guidelines, increased use of recycled material, and reducing hazardous materials. Ford's ultimate aim is to make cars that will be almost totally recyclable. Ford Europe vehicles use over 250 parts that contain non-metallic recycled materials (that’s plastic, rubber and fabrics).
Every year, this saves around 14,000 tonnes of materials from going into landfill sites. That’s by no means all. Ford have developed a complete vehicle recycling programme, encompassing design-for-recycling guidelines, increased use of recycled material, and reducing hazardous materials. Ford's ultimate aim is to manufacture vehicles that will be almost totally recyclable.
And what's more, Ford will 'take back' any Ford vehicle for recycling - irrespective of the date of first registration - FREE OF CHARGE.