Ford to turn F-series Super Duty trucks green with retrofitted Hybrid powertrains. 08/01/2011
There are plenty of hybrid options for new cars, but not nearly as many trucks offer a semi-electric option. Hybrid versions of the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado both have fuel economies that are 25 percent better than their gasoline-only counterparts, and Dodge is currently working on a Ram Hybrid, according to HybridCars.com
Ford Motor Company is teaming up with Azure Dynamics to reduce the carbon footprint of its F-series Super Duty trucks. Auto Week reports that Azure will be retrofitting the F-350, F-450 and F-550 with plug-in hybrid powertrains, starting with the F-550 in 2013. Eventually the automaker plans to retrofit diesel-powered trucks as well, but for now they are focusing on gasoline-engines in fleet and commercial trucks.
"The flexibility of our vehicle platforms and chassis allows Ford to develop our own alternative-fuel products or work with partners, like Azures Dynamics, to deliver consumers with the power of choice when purchasing a greener, more fuel efficient vehicle," said Rob Stevens, Ford's commercial vehicle chief engineer.
The F-series trucks that are the current focus of green conversion account for half of the commercial cab and chassis sales in the U.S., which total around 100,000 annually, according to the news source.