Ford Shows Plug-In Concept

While Chevrolet's plug-in hybrid Volt concept was getting all the attention at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Ford quietly pulled the wraps off its own plug-in platform in the form of the Airstream Concept. This shiny crossover vehicle is powered by Ford's new HySeries Drive, which relies on lithium-ion batteries and a hydrogen fuel cell that operates as an on-board charger. The 336-volt battery pack provides a range of 25 miles; when the battery pack is depleted to approximately 40 percent, the hydrogen fuel cell - supplied by Ballard - switches on to recharge the batteries and extend the range to 305 miles. The fuel cell runs on 4.5 kg of hydrogen stored in a tank at a pressure of 350-bar. The batteries can be charged via a standard home outlet as well. Ford claims the HySeries Drive powertrain is good for a gasoline equivalent fuel economy rating of 41 mpg.

According to Ford, the HySeries Drive approach reduces the size, weight, cost, and complexity of a conventional system by more than half, while doubling the life of the fuel cell stack. The company believes this architecture could provide a more likely path to commercialization than current fuel cell systems, and is already testing a version of this powertrain on the road in a Ford Edge prototype. As for the rest of the Airstream Concept - don't expect to see anything like this on the road soon. Rather, the concept is intended to underscore Ford's efforts in the growing crossover SUV market, which the company predicts could become the largest vehicle segment in the U.S. by the end of the decade. The concept also suggests a new styling approach: By invoking the famous "silver bullet" look of Airstream trailers, Ford is hoping to stir up some nostalgia among baby-boomer buyers in a segment dominated by futuristic, hi-tech styling.