[bwilson4web]

http://www.autoline.tv/daily/?p=17941#more-17941

HYBRIDS GO THE DISTANCE
Cutting-edge technology is often a craps shoot. It tends to over-promise and under-deliver. Reliability of this technology can also be questionable when it first comes out. Thankfully for Ford and its hybrid vehicles this hasn’t been the case. Here’s Andrew Justus with more.

Ford says it’s proud of its hybrid powertrains with their top notch fuel numbers. But the Dearborn automaker is just as pleased with the reliability of their components used by both consumers and businesses alike.

So Ford got a long life out of a taxi cab, that’s not really breaking news. But what what has the automaker excited is that the powertrain components in those hard-working taxis are identical to those in retail vehicles.

Also, according to Ford’s data, since the Escape Hybrid debuted in 2004 there have been zero electric motor failures and just five battery cell failures out of the over 100 – thousand vehicles sold.

And most of the work done on those batteries for the Ford Escape Hybrid has been done right here. At Ford’s research and innovation laboratories in Dearborn, Michigan

Yes, I know it is lame to quote so much but this is important for all hyrids.

The smooth power, without power pulses, means a proper hybrid with a significant electric capability, will have exceptional reliability.

Bob Wilson