Ford to Deliver Hydrogen-Powered Shuttle

Ford Motor Co. of Dearborn, MI will deliver the auto industry's first dedicated hydrogen, internal combustion, engine-powered vehicles to commercial customers this fall. The E-450 is a shuttle bus containing hydrogen-fueled V-10 engines that were tested to the same production standards as other Ford engines.

The shuttle buses with the supercharged 6.8l V-10 engine will first go to customers in Florida. Later they will ship throughout North America.

Hydrogen-fueled engines have numerous advantages, including high-efficiency, all-weather capability and near-zero emissions of regulated pollutants and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. They can also be hybridized for further gains in fuel efficiency. Ford is also conducting research into next-generation hydrogen engines that will include features such as direct injection to enhance power and fuel economy.

The hydrogen engine is part of Ford's strategy to build multiple alternative-fuel-powered vehicles such as hybrids, clean diesels, bio-diesels and ethanol-powered engines.