Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hydrogen, Ford, Mercedes Benz
USA Today test drives the Ford HySeries Edge
Click on the image for a gallery of high-res images of the Ford HySeries Edge.
One of the two Ford HySeries Edges which will ever be built was put through its paces by USA Today in late January en route to the DC Auto Show (AutoblogGreen has driven it as well) . A cutting edge, alternative fuel vehicle, the fuel-cell plug-in hybrid Edge is described as "smooth, tight, quiet and well-finished." Steering was reviewed as being good but the customisable regenerative braking was a little harder to deal with when set too high, resulting in sudden nose-dives.
The big issue though was that it had "sluggish" performance which was considered to be due to unnecessarily heavy extras such as a second electric motor for all-wheel drive. The vehicle was also utilising less than two-thirds of the battery pack due to requirements of the current testing phase.
Analysis: Weight is the killer for plug-in electric vehicles because the more a vehicle weighs, the more batteries you need which just weigh it down further. DaimlerChrysler is testing fuel-cell vehicles too, but they're working on a modified Mercedes A Series which seems far more appropriate. Still, Ford has the experience and the tradition in trucks and SUVs so maybe sticking with their strengths for the time being isn't a bad thing.
Gallery: HySeries Edge
Related:
- AutoblogGreen Drives the HySeries Ford Edge and fuel cell Explorer
- DaimlerChrysler builds first F-Cell fire response vehicle
- Ford loves ethanol
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eric 4:50PM (2/20/2007)
Sluggish, eh? How about removing the dead weight of the fool cell and hydrogen.
From the article:
"It probably will take a purpose-built vehicle..."
No kidding. How about starting with a composite body and making it aerodynamic. No rocket science needed here.
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shmooopy 7:39PM (2/20/2007)
I am very enthusiastic about this technology. These vehicles should be optimized and produced. Ford should create a boutique car group to market these cars. Sales office in LA and SF let high end buyers get their hands on them.
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Joni 1:07AM (2/21/2007)
I can't wait for us all to be able to drive a little greener. Right now, the $100,000+ price tag is a little steep for a "state-of-the-art in alternative-fuel vehicle."
As for trying to be a little more green myself, the Ford Escape Hybrid better suits my current budget. http://www.jenningsandersonford.com/vehicles/new/lineup/ford-escape-hybrid
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