Ford tech arm gets Indian patent

Ford is exploring hybrid electric vehicles segment in India

Ford Global Technologies LLC, part of US-based auto major Ford Motors, has received an Indian patent for an invention related to a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). While the company does not sell its hybrids in India, it is investing in developing hybrid technologies in its global operations and is exploring the segment in India.

The invention is related to the technology to move a vehicle from its static position. In a specification submitted to the patent office, the company said that the invention is related “generally to a powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle having an engine and one or more electric machines and, in particular, to controlling torque transmitted to the drive wheels when the vehicle is being accelerated from a stopped or nearly stopped condition, called vehicle launch”.

It further adds that unlike a conventional vehicle with a power shift transmission, in an HEV with a power shift transmission, there are multiple propulsion paths and multiple power sources, the engine and electric machines, which can be used during a vehicle launch. Therefore, a more sophisticated power shift vehicle launch control system is needed to deal with the complexities and added powertrain operating modes of an HEV in response to a vehicle launch request from the operator.

The company’s officials said that no hybrids were being sold by Ford in India and there was no immediate plans.

Globally, it has been putting thrust on hybrid, electric vehicles as part of moving towards eco-friendly mobility solutions and making it cost-efficient. In January, it announced plans for seven of the 13 new global electrified vehicles it was looking at introducing in the next five years, including hybrid versions of F-150 pickup and its iconic brand Mustang in the US, a plug-in hybrid Transit Custom van in Europe and a fully electric SUV with an expected range of at least 300 miles for customers globally.

It has also announced plans to invest $700 million to expand its assembly plant in Michigan into a factory to build high-tech autonomous and electric vehicles along with the Mustang and Lincoln Continental. This is part of a $4.5-billion investment in electrified vehicles by 2020, to offer customers greater fuel efficiency, capability and power across its global vehicle line-up, said the company.

It has announced plans to launch an all-new fully electric small SUV by 2020, a high-volume autonomous hybrid vehicle designed for commercial ride-hailing or ride-sharing, to be launched in 2021, a hybrid version of its best-selling F-150 pickup by 2020 to be sold in North America and the Middle East, a hybrid version of Mustang, a transit custom plug-in hybrid to be launched in 2019 in Europe and two new pursuit-rated hybrid police vehicles, as part of its plans in the electric vehicle segment. Ford has sold over 520,000 electrified vehicles in North America since 2005 and 560,000 globally, said the announcement in January.