Ford Motor Company and Azure Dynamics Corporation have agreed on a
venture to provide Azure with hybrid gas-electric vehicle powertrains
for Ford E-350 and E-450 chassis-cabs. These chassis are popular with
builders of Class C motorhomes.
The system, using a Ford 5.4-liter V-8 gasoline engine coupled
with an electric motor-mounted inline with the stock drivetrain, is
claimed to provide mileage improvements of up to 35 percent. Some of the
gains are attributed to a regenerative braking system, which recovers a
portion of the vehicle’s energy while braking to recharge the
batteries.
The modified vehicles should be available during the 2008 model year, although pricing has not been announced.
