Ford Motor Co. announced today, Jan. 22, that it is adding three additional vehicles to its E-85 flexible fuel vehicle (FFV) lineup for the 2009 model year — the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator full-size sports utility vehicles, and the Ford E-Series full-size van and wagon.
Ford says the Ford E-Series will be the first over-8,500-pound full-size van to provide E-85 capability and also the first full-size van to offer two V-8 engine alternatives with E-85 capability – a 4.6-liter and a 5.4-liter. The van was redesigned last year to provide greater functionality.
The Expedition and Navigator are popular with customers due to their passenger and cargo space, towing capabilities, on- and off-road performance, and safety features such as AdvanceTrac with RSC. The Expedition, Expedition EL, Navigator and Navigator L will be available with the 5.4-liter flex-fuel engine.
“These new flex-fuel offerings will provide a key benefit to customers who require, or desire, E-85 capability in vehicles with the functional attributes that only a full-size van or large SUV can provide,” says Gerald Koss, Ford’s fleet marketing manager.
The addition of the Expedition, Navigator and E-Series to Ford’s flex-fuel lineup now brings the total to seven. The other models include the Ford F-150 and Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis. Beginning with the 2008 model year, Ford began offering the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and taxi with E-85 capability.
“The expansion of our FFV lineup to include Expedition, Navigator and E-Series provides a great alternative for customers who are committed to becoming more environmentally conscious and seek alternative-fuel vehicles either for their business or for personal use,” Koss says. “This includes government and business customers that are mandated by the Energy Policy ACT to purchase alternative-fuel vehicles.”
Government agencies that include the 2009 model year Expedition, Navigator or E-Series on their annual Department of Energy plan can receive credits toward EPACT mandates, increasing the flexibility of their vehicle fleet selection and purchases. Customers can begin placing orders for the Expedition, Navigator and E-Series in May, with vehicle production slated to begin in July.
Ford says it has placed more than two million flex-fuel vehicles on the road, and has pledged to make half of its production capable of running on alternative fuels by 2012, provided the necessary fuel and infrastructure are in place.
