As Ford celebrates 20 years since introducing the Escape Hybrid—the first hybrid SUV in history—the corporation is taking stock of its technological accomplishments and planning for a future fueled by ongoing innovation. When the Escape Hybrid was introduced in 2004, it set a new standard for SUVs of its type when it achieved an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon in the city.
It took a lot of work to construct this ground-breaking car. Years of study into electric drive units, power electronics, and hybrid powertrains were devoted by a group of engineers, including senior hybrid systems engineers at Ford, to the development of a system that smoothly combined an electric motor, high-voltage battery, and regenerative braking into an SUV chassis.
“The challenges were numerous, but the reward was groundbreaking,” said a senior hybrid systems engineer at Ford, reflecting on the development of the Escape Hybrid. “The enthusiastic response from customers validated the promise of hybrid technology, which has only grown stronger over the past 20 years.”
Since then, Ford’s hybrid technology has advanced to include the Ford Fusion, Mondeo, C-Max, and the hybrid police car that is rated for pursuit. The first hybrid police utility vehicle with a chase rating was made possible by Ford’s inventions, and it saves agencies a lot of gasoline. Ford pioneered the idea of a vehicle that can function as a portable generator with the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid, offering up to 7.2 kW of exportable power—a feature that has been commended by both professionals and outdoor lovers.
With its most popular hybrid vehicle, the Maverick compact pickup, which has an EPA-estimated 42 miles per gallon city, Ford continues to demonstrate its dedication to hybrid innovation. Ford is preparing to introduce the Ranger plug-in hybrid in 2025, which will have a maximum torque output of 508 lb.-ft.
Over 2,800 patents pertaining to hybrid and electric vehicles have been issued worldwide as a result of Ford’s commitment to this technology; in the previous five years, batteries, electrification, and hybrid technology have accounted for nearly 25% of the company’s patent portfolio.