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Ford to Reduce Auto Emissions 30 Percent

Ford to Reduce Auto Emissions 30 Percent

By TCC Team's avatar TCC TeamTCC Team April 10th, 2008

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Hoping to placate its increasingly vocal critics – both in the environmental movement and in government – Ford Motor Co. is pledging to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide by 30 percent by 2020.

The move comes as the auto industry, and Detroit makers, in particular, are under pressure to sharply improve fuel economy. Last year, Congress authorized an increase to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, so Ford’s promise effectively mirrors those new rules. There is a near one-to-one correlation between fuel consumption and the production of CO2, a prime culprit in global warming.

Nonetheless, Ford’s announcement is being given a warm reception, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press. The paper notes that a coalition of shareholder activist groups, including the Connecticut state treasurer, have declared Ford’s announcement a “first” among U.S. corporations, and something they hope to use to pressure changes by other among manufacturers. The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, for one, plans to press a resolution that would require a similar pledge from General Motors Corp.

Some skeptics question the depth of Ford’s commitment, however. During the tenure of former CEO Jacques Nasser, the automaker announced its “25-in-5” program, which was intended to improve mileage 25 percent over a five-year period – and thus reduce CO2 emissions by a similar amount. Following Nasser’s departure, and shortly before the 25-in-5 deadline, Ford’s former product development chief, Phil Martins, revealed that the program had been scrapped.

On the other hand, Ford has taken an aggressive role in other environmental areas. It was the first of Detroit’s Big Three to introduce a true hybrid-electric vehicle, and has been expanding that lineup with models such as the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. And its newest U.S. assembly line, in Dearborn, Michigan, features an array of environmentally-friendly technologies. The roof of the plant, for example, is covered in greenery meant to reduce rainfall overflow, while also stabilizing factory temperatures, which means less need for heating and cooling. Enlarge Photo Hoping to placate its increasingly vocal critics – both in the environmental movement and in government – Ford Motor Co. is pledging to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide by 30 percent by 2020. The move comes as the auto industry, and Detroit makers, in particular, are under pressure to sharply improve fuel economy. Last year, Congress authorized an increase to 35 miles per gallon by 2020, so Ford’s promise effectively mirrors those new rules. There is a near one-to-one correlation between fuel consumption and the production of CO2, a prime culprit in global warming. Nonetheless, Ford’s announcement is being given a warm reception, according to a report in the Detroit Free Press. The paper notes that a coalition of shareholder activist groups, including the Connecticut state treasurer, have declared Ford’s announcement a “first” among U.S. corporations, and something they hope to use to pressure changes by other among manufacturers. The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, for one, plans to press a resolution that would require a similar pledge from General Motors Corp. Some skeptics question the depth of Ford’s commitment, however. During the tenure of former CEO Jacques Nasser, the automaker announced its “25-in-5” program, which was intended to improve mileage 25 percent over a five-year period – and thus reduce CO2 emissions by a similar amount. Following Nasser’s departure, and shortly before the 25-in-5 deadline, Ford’s former product development chief, Phil Martins, revealed that the program had been scrapped. On the other hand, Ford has taken an aggressive role in other environmental areas. It was the first of Detroit’s Big Three to introduce a true hybrid-electric vehicle, and has been expanding that lineup with models such as the 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid. And its newest U.S. assembly line, in Dearborn, Michigan, features an array of environmentally-friendly technologies. The roof of the plant, for example, is covered in greenery meant to reduce rainfall overflow, while also stabilizing factory temperatures, which means less need for heating and cooling.

Tags: Industry

Posted in: 2008, Ford, Escape



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Responses (10 total)

  1. By Ed #1, Posted: 4/10/2008

    FORD would do MUCH better in the tough US Auto market if it did something for the poor CONSUMER instead of for Al gore.

    IF instead FORD tried to increase the MPG of its vehicles by 30%.

    (and if it did, most likely it would also reduce Emissions by almost as much anyway)

  2. By Kay Oss #2, Posted: 4/10/2008

    Given Ford's declining sales, all they have to do is wait until sales decline by 30% and then they can say they've reduced Auto Emissions by that same percent!

    As the people on that other website have pointed out, American Motors and Studebaker have both reduced their auto emissions to ZERO!

  3. By Brian in Brazil #3, Posted: 4/10/2008

    Ed - Try reading the article again, especally the part that says:

    "There is a near one-to-one correlation between fuel consumption and the production of CO2, a prime culprit in global warming."

    Fuel economy and CO2 emissions are linked hand-in-hand. A 30% improvement in fuel economy translates to a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions, so this is doing something for the poor consumer.

    That being said, this announcement is a big pile of nothing. All Ford is doing is publicly saying that their going to meet the new 35MPG CAFE legislation. If they comitted to anything less than that, they'd be admitting that they plan to break a federal law!

  4. By Mike B #4, Posted: 4/10/2008

    Exactly!!

    What Brian said.

  5. By Matt #5, Posted: 4/10/2008

    Since the last "ice age," which, of course, has continued to melt without the "help" of the automobile, we have noticed that temperatures have flucuated only a small degree (maybe .6 in 50 years) upward. I live in Alaska and we have had more cold weather and snow in the last week (April 4 -10, 2008) than we had all the month of March, 2008. I truly wish "global warming" were true, but if environmental idiots (the very few) would keep their mouths shut, we may see a substantial drop in temperatures, and if drivers of our world (the very many) would revolt against this very ridiculous politcal movement and would simply live, the "climate change" mania would cease. The current political results will continue to devastate the food supply around the world by taking grain and mixing it with gas instead of feeding human beings. US auto manufactures put emission systems on the cars today that put out so much less than cars of yore, that we are breathing fresh air out the tailpipe in comparison. By the way, gas will go higher this spring because of fuel changeover, but remember: that is government mandated as well!

  6. By Ed #6, Posted: 4/10/2008

    "Brian in Brazil Says:
    April 10th, 2008 at 4:00 pm

    Ed - Try reading the article again, especally the part that says:

    “There is a near one-to-one correlation between fuel consumption and the production of CO2, a prime culprit in global warming.”"

    OBVIOUSLY both YOU and the IGNORAMUS that wrote the article have NO CLUE about EITHER Autos OR STATISTICS.

    OF COURSE it is 100% WRONG about the correlation, if you achieve your MPG with DIESEL you will NOT have as good emissions, DUH! Even if you use PLUG IN Hybrids, IF the electricity is made from COAL, and the US makes 52% of its electricity From this DIRTIEST of fuels, it will ALSO have high MPG with TERRIBLE emissions.

    So instead of thopughtlessly attacking my 100% CORRECT observations, why don't you try to EDUCATE yourselves first.

    PS the term "one to one correlation" is statistically SILLY. there is NO SUCH THING, there is Perfect POSITIVE correlation (here we have IMPERFECT positive correl, maybe 80%) and there is perfect NEGATIVE correlation (look it up), etc.

    BUT I ALREADY had

  7. By Ed #7, Posted: 4/10/2008

    To make it even clearer:

    The TITLE of this should be:

    Ford to increase Fuel Economy by30 Percent.

    THAT"S the CORRECT AND PROPER way to show what it's doing.

    (and IF this has a strong correlation to emissions, lucky for Al Gore, BUT it SHOULD NOT be the headline!)

  8. By  Kristina #8, Posted: 4/10/2008

    I think they are just jumping on the environmental bandwagon. Look, I'm not an environmental hater, but from a pure consumer standpoint - I want a cheaper vehicle that can do more and is not going to cost me as much at the pump or in the repair shop.

    Do I think it is great they are trying to reduce emissions, yes, of course. But can I get some of my money back too?

    Kristina
    http://www.azautophile.com

  9. By Leigh #9, Posted: 4/11/2008

    Ford likes to play tricks with numbers. a few years back they said "70% of Ford vehicles by volume will be completely redesigned by 2009". The trick is "BY VOLUME". To meet that goal all they had to do is redesign the Focus and F150 and thats 70% of their volume!

  10. By  Paul #10, Posted: 4/11/2008

    Ed, your point about diesel is taken, and you have a point, but it is still misleading.
    First, every gallon of fuel contains a set number of BTUs of energy. This can vary by grade of fuel, quality, and so on, but for practical terms, a gallon of unleaded regular has a set energy content, and that energy content has to do with the chemical formulation of the fuel. There are ways to drive more miles on a gallon by improving vehicle efficiency, ie aeroydnamics, tire rolling resistance, improved engine combustion design, etc. So your CO2 production per mile can vary from even something like a tune-up. But once you burn that gallon, you're causing chemical reactions that create, among other things, CO2, and, with only minor exceptions, due to the inadvertent creation of other exhaust emissions, you can bet on producing a set amount of carbon dioxide.
    You are correct that diesel fuel changes the equation, at least somewhat. It is not the same chemical as gasoline. It has a higher energy content, notably, which is one of the reasons why it delivers more miles-per-gallon. (The efficiency of the diesel cycle is another reason).
    Diesel is inherently more dirty, though new emissions systems resolve much of that. But it also produces slightly higher CO2 levels per gallon than gasoline, but lower levels per mile because of the added miles you typically get.
    Anyway, let's keep this one from going to, er, flame mode. None of us need to increase the levels of emissions. Thanks, Paul E.

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