Hybridautos

(Source: Reuters) New York - Ford is working to develop a plug-in hybrid vehicle, product chief Derrick Kuzak said on Wednesday, adding that the biggest challenge is developing the battery technology.

Speaking to reporters at the New York International Auto Show, Kuzak said the automaker is working on advanced battery technology for the vehicle. "The battery technology is one of the biggest challenges," Kuzak said.


"There is also the problem of infrastructure. When people start driving electric cars, where will the electricity come from? That has to be looked at." Unlike current gas-electric hybrids, which use a parallel system twinning battery power and a combustion engine, plug-in cars could be driven entirely by electric power. But no automaker has a plug-in on the road yet, due to a host of barriers.

Rivals Toyota, which leads the market in hybrid sales, and General Motors are also working on lithium-ion battery technology for plug-in hybrids.


Image: media.ford.com