2010 Ford Escape Hybrid SUV

By: Rob Adams
Staff Writer
Published: Oct 8, 2009

Local Governments Choose 2010 Ford Escape Hybrid To Cut Fuel Costs

The Ford Escape is one of the most popular Hybrids on the road. We know that president Obama and his press secretary both own a 2010 Ford Escape SUV. Moreover, the city of Los Angeles is using Ford Escape Hybrids for many of its emergency response crews in an effort to save fuel costs. The starting MSRP is $31,500.

Ford Escape Hybrid can achieve an EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) rating of 34 MPG (miles per gallon) in the city and 31 MPG on the highway. The mileage rating is far better than most standard vehicles. The SUV is equipped with a 2.5L Atkinson-cycle, I-4, gasoline engine that is designed to run efficiently and does save fuel.

One of the interesting things about this Ford Hybrid is that there is no gas cap when fueling. It's a new invention that simply allows you to fuel the SUV without worrying about the gas cap. This is a very nice feature as I don't know how many times I forgot about the cap and later noticed it was missing. There are many distractions when pumping gas in your vehicle.

The Hybrid SUV is definitely one of my favorites. When driving, the sport utility vehicle will not consume fuel when stopped in traffic by turning off the gas engine. In other words, the vehicle is designed to run on its electric mode operation at speeds up to 40 MPH (miles per hour). When you reach faster speeds, above 40 MPH, the Ford Escape will automatically turn on the gas engine and will begin recharging the Hybrid batteries. The hybrid system that controls this transition is very smooth.

The battery used in the Escape Hybrid is a NiMH (Nickel-Metal-Hydride) that is stored under the flat rear cargo area. The Hybrid battery is completely sealed and encased in the load floor. While running the gas engine will recharge the NiMH battery, the vehicle will also help with the recharge each time you press the brakes. This is known as the Regenerative Braking System.

The Regenerative Braking System collects energy from the brakes and will store it in the NiMH battery for later use. This is the lost energy as heat that is typically lost on conventional vehicles. The Ford Escape will capture this lost energy and will send it directly back to the NiMH battery for storage. This innovation was a brilliant idea.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is also eco-friendly. The seats are made up of bio-based polyurethane foam. This foam is derived from the oils of various plants. The SUV is very comfortable and the seats also give you lumbar support.