Focus on Green

 

 

January 19th, 2011

Ford Focus Electric has a zero-emissions motor, but that’s not where the green ends – and where its eco-friendly features are located might surprise you. For example, in the seat cushions. Soy-based foams, which are used on more than 20 Ford vehicles, will be used inside the Focus Electric, with the cushions shaped from 8 percent soy-based content.

In addition, a material called Lignotock is behind the cloth on the door. Derived from 85 percent wood fibers, this lighter application results in a weight reduction and provides better sound-deadening benefits compared with conventional glass-reinforced thermal plastics.

“One of the more impactful things we are doing is finding a way to increase the use of recycled materials in resins. We have a strategy that specifies the use of a large quantity of post-consumer recycled material in a range of plastic applications,” said Carrie Majeske, product sustainability manager, Ford Motor Company. “Pop bottles and milk jugs eventually become part of components like underbody shields, wheel arch liners and air cleaner assemblies.”

By using more recycled content in resins, Ford can further reduce the amount of oil-based plastics in vehicles. This also cuts down on overall oil consumption. Applications of the post-consumer plastics also include carpets, roof lining and replacement bumpers.

When it comes to building green, Ford, Detroit Edison and Xtreme Power are teaming up to establish one of Michigan’s largest solar power generation systems and electric vehicle charging stations at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich., where Focus Electric will be produced. Ford will work with Detroit Edison to install a 500-kilowatt solar photovoltaic panel system, which will be integrated with a 750-kilowatt energy storage facility that can store 2 million watt-hours of energy using batteries – enough to power 100 average homes for a year.

Several new and innovative production processes at the plant will help make the vehicle even greener, such as a new three-wet paint process that applies all three coats of finish in sequence before oven curing, ensuring high-quality paint finish and a significant reduction in energy use.

With charging playing a major role in Focus Electric ownership, Ford also looked to make the vehicle’s home charging stations greener. Jointly developed with Leviton, a leading North American producer of electrical devices, Ford is offering a charging unit that has an outer shell made from up to 60 percent post-consumer recycled material.

“Focus Electric is the culmination of years of research and development,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president for global product development. “More importantly, it’s the start of an exciting new era for Ford and our customers.”

Focus Electric will launch in late 2011.

Source: http://www.thefordstory.com/our-articles/cars/focussedan/focus-on-green/ Jan 19, 2011