PRESS RELEASE
Ford Introduces Electric Ranger
01/07/97
Ford's Electric Ranger - Continuing the Tradition
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 2 -- A new generation of trucks is poised
to electrify Ford Motor Company's tradition of being "Built Ford Tough."
The 1998 Ford Ranger electric vehicle (EV), based on the automaker's best-
selling compact truck, was unveiled today at the 1997 Greater Los Angeles Auto
Show. Today's debut of the EV also marked the first time Ford has shown the
new, updated design of the full Ranger line. Bob Rewey, group vice president
of Marketing and Sales Operations, said the EV will continue the Ranger
heritage of meeting and exceeding customer requirements.
"Our customers asked for an EV that drives with the safety, reliability
and durability of a conventional vehicle and that's what they'll get with the
Ranger EV," said Rewey. "This vehicle incorporates the same best-in-class
design features as the gasoline Ranger, with proven advanced EV technology to
guarantee it is 'Built Ford Tough.'"
Rewey also said that Ford's target customers for these vehicles are fleets
around the country, which generally have shorter, more predictable driving
patterns than retail customers. Powered by lead-acid batteries, the Ranger EV
will have a driving range between charges of approximately 60 miles. The
vehicle will go into production at Ford's Edison, N.J. facility at the end of
1997 and be available for delivery to customers shortly afterwards.
Ranger EV includes third-generation technology
From its battery systems to its powertrain, the Ranger EV is loaded with
world-class componentry developed over nearly 15 years of Ford EV research and
demonstration programs. In 1993, Ford launched its demonstration Ecostar
program -- which was powered by an advanced battery -- in order to gain real-
world EV experience with potential customers. Throughout the program, Ford
gathered more than one million miles of EV driving experience.
"The 1998 Ranger EV you see today is the product of some of the most
advanced, sophisticated EV testing ever performed by an automaker," said John
Wallace, director of alternative fuel vehicle programs. "We have known for
years that the only way our customers will accept EVs is if they meet their
basic transportation needs. By testing and proving out EV componentry through
an advanced test fleet, we ensured that every part of the Ranger EV is state-
of-the-art."
Advanced battery system separates Ranger EV from competition
While focusing on reliability, durability and safety, Ford engineers
designed the Ranger EV's traction battery system to perform as part of the
overall vehicle, not as a separate component. The second-generation battery
thermal management system monitors each of the 39 individually-sealed lead-
acid modules and continuously "talks" to other vehicle components, such as the
powertrain. This level of systems management ensures tight control of
temperature throughout the battery pack, improving battery life and driving
range, and optimizing daily charging conditions.
"All EV batteries perform best at controlled temperatures and must be
managed in order to maintain maximum performance and efficiency," said
Wallace. "From our experience with advanced batteries in the Ecostar program,
we have developed the most sophisticated battery management system available.
The bottom line is that with the Ranger EV, you have a superior level of
reliability and performance you can't get with most other EVs."
A 2000-pound battery is necessary to give the Ranger EV the range fleet
customers require on a daily basis. Ford engineers designed the battery pack
assembly, made of strong, lightweight composite materials, to accommodate the
weight and size of the battery modules without sacrificing efficiency. The
assembly is located underneath the vehicle and consists of a supporting tray
that holds the battery modules in a two-tier stack. The battery cover
protects the batteries from outside elements such as water, mud and salt.
Ranger EV powertrain represents "Best-In-Class" product
The Ranger EV powertrain is controlled by a sophisticated device known as
the Traction Inverter Module (TIM), located in the rear of the vehicle,
directly behind the motor and transaxle. The TIM is a highly specialized
computer that continuously monitors driver controls, such as accelerator and
brake, and at the same time is in constant communication with other vehicle
systems. This sophisticated interaction allows the powertrain to
simultaneously determine actions the driver wants to take, what power is
needed for the vehicle to perform those actions and what energy is available
from the battery -- resulting in virtually seamless coordination between
driver and vehicle.
The electric motor powering the rear-wheel-drive Ranger EV is a three-
phase alternating current (AC) induction design that delivers 90 horsepower.
The motor is liquid-cooled to ensure durability.
The unique transaxle, which is integrated with the motor into a single
case, is a third-generation version of the successful Ecostar transaxle. It
was designed to be used in front-wheel-drive applications or rear-wheel-drive
applications, as on the Ranger EV. This is significant because it allows
optimum use for any vehicle application and can adapt to future EV battery and
technology breakthroughs that may require switching the location.
Customer safety, service and support a priority
Ford engineers have made the design of safety features in the 1998 Ranger
EV their number one priority.
"Ford puts a premium on safety, with an EV or gasoline-powered vehicle,"
said Wallace. "We built the Ranger EV with safety features that not only
protect our customers, but also give them peace of mind about a relatively new
technology."
Safety features in the 1998 Ranger EV include:
Current Leakage Detection System, controlled by the Battery Control Module
(BCM), constantly monitors the high-voltage system for electrical current
leakage. If leakage is detected, the BCM will illuminate the electric hazard
warning lamp in the instrument cluster.
High-voltage interlocks prevent electrical accidents by shutting off high-
voltage energy when connectors are disconnected or when the internal circuitry
of the high-voltage power distribution box is exposed.
The Inertia shutoff switch on a gasoline-powered vehicle cuts off power to
the fuel pump in the event of an accident. The carryover inertia shutoff
switch in the electric Ranger performs a similar function, cutting off the
high-voltage energy to the vehicle.
The Emergency Power Off (EPO) is a fail-safe feature that safeguards
against personal injury and protects the vehicle from damage whenever the
inertia shutoff switch is triggered or a high-voltage interlock is
disconnected. An EPO signal is sent to disable all high-voltage loads and
shut down the vehicle.
Charging - safe and easy
The Ranger EV features a convenient, on-board charger that can be used
with a 240-volt circuit and recharges the vehicle in approximately six hours.
The vehicle uses a conductive charging system, which is inexpensive, safe and
easy-to-use.
"We chose a conductive charging system for our production EVs for numerous
reasons," said Wallace. "We believe conductive charging is safe and the most
efficient and cost-effective method of charging available today. Also,
conductive technology is well understood by professional electricians and
requires no special tools, expensive diagnostic equipment or specialized
training for widespread installation."
Conductive charging -- the traditional method of connecting electrical
equipment to power sources -- uses mating contacts to transfer the
electricity. Home electric clothes dryers, with their specially designed
mating plugs, use conductive connections. Like them, EVs will use a unique --
yet standardized -- conductive plug.
Ranger EV part of the world's largest offering of AFVs'
The Ranger EV joins the long list of alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) Ford
currently offers for sale to fleet and retail customers. Ford, with a broader
line-up of AFVs than any other auto manufacturer, offers vehicles that can
operate on electricity, ethanol, methanol, natural gas and propane. This
diversity of offerings gives our customers access to the right vehicle, with
the right fuel, at the right time.
Ford has been developing, producing and selling AFVs world-wide for more
than 30 years. These activities are directed from Ford's new, world-class AFV
Center in Dearborn, Mich., where the automaker is headquartered. Ford also is
researching other forms of advanced vehicle technology such as fuel cells,
turbines and other hybrid vehicle engines.
CONTACT: Sara Tatchio, 313-322-7998