Ford wants to include regenerative braking on its non-hybrid models in an effort to boost fuel economy with more advanced engine stop-start systems.Similar to BMW's EfficientDynamics and Mazda's i-ELOOP systems, Ford and partner Samsung SDI are developing an alternator-based solution that draws kinetic energy from engine braking when the vehicle decelerates. The energy will flow into a compact lithium-ion battery, unlike the glass-mat battery used by BMW or the capacitor setup favored by Mazda, with the same goal of keeping the engine off at stops for longer periods of time.
Ted Miller, Ford's senior battery engineer, told us the current stop-start system that's optional in the Fusion doesn't cut overall fuel consumption because the standard 12-volt lead-acid battery doesn't have the capacity to keep accessories such as air conditioning running for very long. Instead of driving it into a low state of charge, the 12-volt lead-acid battery in the upcoming two-battery system will be used exclusively to start the car while the lithium-ion battery—which Ford says will be small enough to place under the hood instead of robbing trunk or passenger space—can take care of everything else. That means drivers may actually notice improvements in fuel economy and won't deal with abrupt restarts on those hot summer days with the A/C on full blast.
- Ford Fusion News, Photos, Research, and More
- Blogpost: GM Drops E-Assist from Chevrolet Lineup, Makes Stop-Start Standard on 2015 Impala
- First Drive: 2014 Mazda 6 2.5L
Ford is also experimenting with a single lithium-ion battery to further save weight and complexity, but as Porsche discovered when it launched a lithium-ion starter battery in 2009, cold weather and high cost can kill the benefits. As such, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG is one of the few production cars to include a lithium-ion starter battery. But while battery researchers are feverishly trying to develop chemistries that better respond to extreme temperatures and several aftermarket companies sell lithium-ion portable jump starters, the old lead-acid starter battery is holding its ground.
Dual batteries: Traditional lead-acid starter battery on left, new Samsung SDI lithium-ion battery on right.
"It's dirt cheap, and works reasonably well in cold temperatures. Lithium-ion fails on both of those," said Andy Drews, a Ford research scientist.
Ford wants to add engine stop-start systems to 70 percent of its lineup by 2017. General Motors, in dropping a costlier mild hybrid system on its Impala and Malibu models, is planning a similar strategy.
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