It took 37 hours to burn the 15 gallons of fuel in the tank and the all-new 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid traveled an amazing 576 miles on a single tank of gas during its epic drive, averaging over 38 miles per gallon.

Participating in this epic journey in and around Manhattan were such notable stars as actor Kevin Bacon, actress Jaime Gleicher, and NASCAR driver Kurt Busch. You can watch these celebrities as they take their turns taking on the Island of Manhattan.

"This is phenomenal! We beat our own best estimates," continued Wright. "We set out to drive at least 500 miles of city traffic. The Escape Hybrid surpassed the ultimate urban driving test proving it is the cleanest and most fuel-efficient SUV on the planet."*

*Based on preliminary Ford data — over 35 MPG City, Front Wheel Drive.

With concerns about rising gas prices, Ford designed the "Manhattan on a Tank of Gas" event to see how many miles the new hybrid electric SUV could be driven on a single tank of gas in severe traffic conditions. The test began on Monday, April 5 and ended late Tuesday night, April 6.

Ford Chairman and CEO Bill Ford announced the results at the New York International Auto Show, where the 2005 Escape Hybrid made its official debut. Available at the end of the summer, the Escape Hybrid combines the fuel economy and emissions benefits of a full hybrid with the go anywhere capability, toughness and spaciousness of the Ford Escape, America's favorite small SUV. Escape Hybrid is the first hybrid SUV and can comfortably accommodate five adults and their gear.

"We designed 'Manhattan on a Tank of Gas' to see how many miles an Escape Hybrid could be driven on a single tank of gas in some of the worst conditions for fuel efficiency most drivers would ever face," says Wright.

"Escape Hybrid can provide an economical solution to a problem commuters face every day — bumper-to-bumper gridlock that can bleed a normal car's fuel tank dry," she says. "At the same time, Ford Escape Hybrid is a practical and livable environmental solution to help address air quality problems in our cities."

Making the epic Manhattan drive particularly impressive is the fact that the Escape Hybrid's gas tank holds just 15 gallons of fuel.

"Other vehicles might start out with more fuel but they will go through it a lot more quickly," Wright says.

An SUV that Excels in the City

The 38-mpg average for the Manhattan test came in right on target of the expected ratings of between 35-40 mpg on the EPA city cycle (based on Ford preliminary data).

That's an improvement of at least 75 percent over the EPA city fuel economy rating of 20 mpg for the conventional V-6-powered Ford Escape, the best-selling small SUV in America for 2003. Escape Hybrid's fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine combines with an electric drive system to deliver acceleration performance similar to that of the V-6 Escape.

While a conventionally powered vehicle burns fuel and creates emissions while idling at a red light or bogged down in stopped traffic, the Escape Hybrid's engine shuts down at rest to conserve fuel. When the light turns green or traffic moves forward, Escape Hybrid's 70-kilowatt traction motor generator can launch the vehicle on clean electric power. When needed, the generator can smoothly start the gasoline engine in less than 400 milliseconds, without the increased emissions produced in starting up a conventional engine. Escape Hybrid also conserves energy in stop-and-go driving by reclaiming energy during braking to charge its hybrid storage battery to be used later during acceleration.  

"Near Zero" Tailpipe Emissions

Escape Hybrid is an extremely clean vehicle to operate. So clean in fact that it qualifies for the stringent Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) standards.

Escape Hybrid achieves the AT-PZEV standards by combining an efficient powertrain with an exhaust catalyst system that is very effective at lowering smog-forming emissions.

Indeed, the Ford Escape Hybrid is as environmentally responsible as a vehicle that runs solely on electric power. That's because a battery-electric vehicle needs to be plugged in to be recharged, and that electricity must be generated by a power plant, creating some smog-forming emissions. The Escape Hybrid, on the other hand, never needs to be plugged in. Its battery is continually recharged by an ingenious system that reclaims energy when the brakes are applied.

The Escape Hybrid also produces very little carbon dioxide (CO₂) — a harmless gas in terms of ground-level air quality but a primary "greenhouse gas" when it drifts into the Earth's upper atmosphere. An accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is widely believed to be producing a global warming effect. CO₂ and water vapor are produced in the clean combustion of any type of carbon-based fuel, so the only effective way to reduce a vehicle's CO₂ emissions is to reduce the amount of fuel consumed. Fuel-efficient hybrid-electric vehicles can reduce CO₂ emissions. Ford Motor Company and other automakers are working on long-term research projects to someday make practical hydrogen-powered vehicles that will not produce any greenhouse emissions. In addition to the Escape Hybrid, PZEV Focus and Focus Diesel being produced today, Ford has developed a Focus hydrogen internal combustion engine (H²ICE), a hydrogen hybrid research vehicle (H²RV) and a Focus Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) that is operating in demonstration fleets in the U.S. and Canada.  

Patrick Ryan, a Detroit Edison engineer, collaborated with Wherrett on development of the Fumes-to-Fuel system. Ryan is one of nine engineers employed by the utility, who work exclusively for Ford to help maximize energy efficiency in its operations. "The Fumes-to-Fuel system is an excellent example of how, using good engineering, industry can find environmentally friendly solutions that also are good for business," Ryan said. While engineers and scientists in Ford's Environmental Quality Office and Scientific Research Laboratories developed, tested and successfully installed the Fumes-to-Fuel system pilot, the project is the result of a collaborative effort between several entities, including Ford, Detroit Edison, Fuel Cell Technologies, Ltd. of Kingston, Ont., Climate Technologies, and the State of Michigan (Public Service Commission), which provided partial funding for the project through its Energy Efficiency Grant Program.

As part of a groundbreaking sponsorship agreement between Ford and the LOHAS 8 Forum: "The Business of Conscious Commerce", Ford provided attendees a special introduction of the new 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, the cleanest, most fuel efficient SUV on the road.* Ford Motor Company is the stakeholder sponsor of the annual, executive-level conference, which was held May 12-14 at the Ritz-Carlton in Marina del Rey, California.

*Ford preliminary data, over 35 city mpg, FWD.

The LOHAS (Lifestyles on Health and Sustainability) marketplace attracts "conscious consumers" who make socially- and health-conscious purchase decisions. LOHAS consumers are also helping to grow the environmentally-responsible transportation segment that includes hybrid vehicles.

The LOHAS 8 Conference was attended by CEOs, media, business and community leaders who are driven to create products and services, and deliver resources, to help improve and sustain the environment and healthy living. Panel discussions and speakers presented various topics related to the growth of socially conscious products and initiatives, as well as how to brand and market products to the "conscious consumer".

In preparation for its market introduction at the end of this summer, Ford selected the LOHAS 8 Forum as the West Coast debut of the Escape Hybrid. Ford also discussed how it is addressing the critical issues facing the transportation industry today.

Delivering the keynote address was Tim O'Brien; VP, Corporate Relations, Ford Motor Company, who spoke in detail about Ford's Rouge Complex, the company's most environmentally responsible automotive manufacturing plant. Details on the Rouge Complex can be found in our
January, 2004 e-Newsletter and at www.fordvehicles.com/environment. In addition, a media luncheon was held to announce key co-marketing relationships between Ford's Escape Hybrid and Honest Tea an organic bottled iced tea. "Ford's production of a hybrid SUV is historic, as is the shift in consumer buying habits that we in the LOHAS industry marketplace track each year," says Brad Warkins, president of Conscious Media. "Ultimately, companies like Ford can truly make a difference in setting an example of

Heal the Bay is a nonprofit environmental group dedicated to making Santa Monica Bay and Southern California coastal waters safe and healthy for people and marine life. Heal the Bay has earned the reputation as the watchdog of Los Angeles County's bays and beaches by effectively combining the use of science, advocacy, community outreach, and public education to create positive change in our local environment.

An Escape Hybrid was also donated to be auctioned by Heal the Bay at their annual fundraiser to be held June 3, 2004, in Santa Monica. For more information, please log on to healthebay.org. In addition to Ford's participation, the LOHAS 8 event brought together executives from a diverse array of industries, along with members of the media and Hollywood representatives to discuss what it means to be socially responsible in a mainstream environment and how "corporate citizenship" influences our culture on a day to day basis.

Another contributor to the Escape's less severe duty cycle is that much of the engine's operation, when it is running, is at sustained engine speeds, or rpm; this also enhances oil life. The Escape Hybrid is also eligible for certain tax incentives. For example, If you buy an Escape Hybrid during calendar year 2004, you are eligible for a $1,500 deduction on your 2004 federal income tax return (Look for a line on your return referencing "clean fuel adjustment"). Check with your tax advisor for complete details.

The Escape Hybrid, like the conventional Escape, comes with both Ford's Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty, as well as the complimentary Ford Roadside Assistance Program. These programs are both in effect for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. However, Ford has also added additional warranties on the Escape Hybrid for your peace of mind. As with any warranty information, your local Ford dealer has the details.

Here are some highlights of these and other owner coverage programs. For details, see your Ford Dealer.

Corrosion Protection
Ford provides corrosion protection against perforations in body sheet metal for five years, regardless of miles driven. Paint damage is included in the Bumper-to-Bumper Coverage.

Safety Restraint Coverage
Ford's Safety Restraint Coverage lasts for five years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. During this coverage period, the Escape Hybrid's safety belts and air bag systems are covered against defects in factory-supplied materials or workmanship.

Emissions and Hybrid System Warranty
Under the Emissions Defect Warranty, Ford provides coverage for 3 years or 36,000 miles. That's a full year or 12,000 miles more than required by federal regulations. Ford also provides coverage, including labor and diagnosis, for eight years or 80,000 miles for several emissions parts, including the catalytic converter and the emissions control computers. Unique Hybrid components such as the High Voltage Battery, Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission, and DC/DC converter will have an additional warranty coverage of at least 8 years/ 100,000miles.