Ford to debut Edge hybrid with fuel cell

WASHINGTON -- Ford Motor Co. is joining the list of automakers working on a plug-in hybrid -- with a twist. It combines the convenience of plugging in your car with a zero-emissions hydrogen fuel cell.

Ford is to display today what it calls the world's first drivable fuel cell hybrid-electric vehicle with plug-in capability. Called the Flexible Series Hybrid Edge, it represents the latest offering from automakers hoping to stake a claim to the next generation of highly efficient, alternative vehicles.

Gerhard Schmidt, vice president of research and advanced engineering, said the vehicle, based on the Edge crossover platform, gives Ford "the ultimate in flexibility in researching advanced propulsion technology."

"We could take the fuel cell power system out and replace it with a downsized diesel, gasoline engine, or any other powertrain connected to a small electric generator to make electricity like the fuel cell does now," Schmidt said.

Ford was showing the plug-in fuel cell at the Washington Auto Show, where lawmakers and government officials were viewing a number of advanced vehicle technologies. The show opens for media previews on the eve of President Bush's State of the Union address, which is expected to include energy proposals of concern to the auto industry.

Several automakers have been working on similar technologies. General Motors Corp. will display the Chevrolet Volt, a plug-in electric car recently unveiled in Detroit that has a range of 40 miles with the battery and more than 600 miles with a gas engine.

DaimlerChrysler AG has been pursuing plug-in hybrids and said Friday it would expand its test fleet in the United States to more than 20 Dodge Sprinter vans. Company chairman, Dieter Zetsche, and Chrysler Group chief executive Tom LaSorda were expected to discuss clean diesel technology at the auto show today.

Volkswagen AG will be showing the Golf GT TSI for the first time in the United States. The vehicle's supercharged gasoline engine has 170 horsepower while garnering 40 miles per gallon city and 48 m.p.g. highway. VW estimates 638 miles on one tank of fuel.

Ford's plug-in hybrid Edge operates in 'battery only' mode for the first 25 miles, moving at speeds of up to 85 miles per hour. When the battery is depleted to 40 percent, it seamlessly shifts to the fuel cell mode, which recharges the battery for 200 more miles of range.