Alternative Fuel 4x4

Ford Escape Hybrid, Mazda Tribute Hybrid video

Its been with us since 2004 the Ford Escape Hybrid, This SUV like the Toyota Highlander is a proven consumer choice. Ford has since 2004 been developing Hybrid technology and gave the market its first Hybrid SUV 4x4 in the Ford Escape.. With development this is also re badged as the Mazda Tribute Hybrid.

One feature found on the Escape hybrid is re-generative braking. This is where the electric motor becomes a generator converting the vehicle movement back into electricity for later storage. Ford Escape

For review of petrol model

Power is 116kw (155 HP) interesting here is that acceleration in all most the equivalent of the 150Kw petrol model.

Thanks to Ford below is a table of sales for the Ford escape Hybrid and the Mercury Mariner Hybrid

Model	2005 sales	2006 sales	2007 sales
Ford Escape Hybrid (FEH)	18,797	19,228	21,386
Mercury Mariner Hybrid (MMH)	998	3,375	3,722

Tax credits are the go in the USA and buyers can save upwards of $2000 on purchase.

The hybrid is said to give approximately 75% greater efficiency, with about 33 to 36 mpg (U.S.) (6.5-7.1 L/100 km) in city traffic, (and has demonstrated it can travel 400–500 miles (644-805 km) on a single 16.5 gallon (62.4 L) tank of gasoline in city driving), and 29 to 31 mpg (U.S.) (7.6L-8.1 L/100 km) on the highway. Unlike conventional vehicles, hybrids often achieve better figures in the city because they do not waste power idling and can recover some power when stopping (by using regenerative braking) that would be wasted on a conventional vehicle.

Note that electric mode has been said to not perform as well below 50 degrees F (10degrees C)

Top speed is noted at 102 mph ( 163km/h)