Ford Shares the Love…For Fuel Saving Start-Stop Tech

December 28th, 2010 by Tina Casey

Start-stop is a fuel saving approach mainly associated with hybrid vehicles, in which the engine automatically cuts off instead of idling when you stop. Sounds a little scary at first, but now that a good chunk of the motoring public has gotten used to it, Ford has decided share the love and use its Auto Start-Stop system on conventional gasoline vehicles, too, for a fuel savings of up to 10%.

A Place in the Sun for Start-Stop Tech

Though it falls far short of the alternative fuel vehicle dream, the expansion of start-stop could play an important transitional role by helping millions of drivers worldwide to get accustomed to unconventional technology in a relatively short time. In that regard it’s similar to GM’s decision to develop the Chevy Volt with an electric drive and a gas tank, enticing more buyers who might otherwise be reluctant to invest in an all-electric vehicle.

A Safe Path to a New Energy Future

Ford’s emphasis on helping drivers to feel secure with new technology gets into the details, such as a system for keeping the inside of the car at a comfortable temperature even if stops are frequent or long. Short of a drastic and precipitous cut-off of gasoline supplies worldwide (accompanied by a dramatic breakthrough in low cost alternative fuel vehicles), the bulk of mainstream car buyers are likely to stick with the familiar unless manufacturers like Ford and GM keep offering a steady stream of innovations that provide a safe-looking way to ease into the future.

Image: Stop sign by thecrazyfilmgirl on flickr.com.

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Tags: Auto Start-Stop System, Chevy Volt, Ford, fuel efficiency

About the Author

Tina Casey Tina Casey specializes in military and corporate sustainability, advanced technology, emerging materials, biofuels, and water and wastewater issues. Tina’s articles are reposted frequently on Reuters, Scientific American, and many other sites. Views expressed are her own. Follow her on Twitter @TinaMCasey and Google+.

http://www.thegreenjobbank.com Bernard

I used to drive a Honda Civic Hybrid, and loved the start/stop system. However, I wouldn’t necessarily want it in a non-hybrid car; I don’t do enough city driving to justify the cost. I know Ford hasn’t announced the price, and if it’s going to be a option, or a built-in, so it’s premature to say. But I wouldn’t want it…