Not that it will do any good, but I composed this letter to ford
this evening. My girlfriend had mentioned this "new saturn electric
car" that she had seen and wanted to get for herself. She said that
it looked even better than my Insight. So when she sent me the links
for the "new saturn" and the Ford Hybrid I discovered that she was
talking about the EV1 :(

So then I thought I'd take a look see at what Ford was saying
about their hybrid Escape SUV, since it has it's own site,
being their only hybridford.com

Perhaps if EVERYONE on ALL of the Hybrid, Alternatate Fuel,
and Hybrid lists sends a similar message to Ford they would
consider selling a Grid Enabled Charging option for their
"Full Hybrid" vehicles. Surely they won't make it standard,
but they may do it as an accessory!

Message to Fords - "New Vehicle Information", "The Environment &
Alternative Fuels", and "Accessories Questions" Departments.

I was visiting your web site at www.hybridford.com when I came across
the "About Hybrid" - "Advantages and Attributes" page which reads:
"The Escape Hybrid offers improved fuel economy and fewer pollutants
than a conventional SUV, without the hassle of daily recharging an
electric vehicle - Ideal for environmentally aware drivers like you."

I am an "environmentally aware driver" as you state, currently
driving EV's and a Honda Insight, averaging better than 60 MPG.
I am also involved with electric vehicle conversions and am
rather familiar with production EV's and hybrids as well.
A portion of your statement on this page strikes me as horribly
mis-representative, the "without the hassle of daily recharging
an electric vehicle" statement. I can insure you without a shadow
of a doubt that it is no hassle at all to plug in an EV or
Grid-Enabled Hybrid vehicle. It requires but a few seconds of your
time on your way into your house, or on your way into work.
Over the course of a week I spend no more than 5 minutes plugging
in and un-plugging an EV, it is indeed rather convenient.
Yet when I need gas on a weekly basis, I have to drive to a special
re-fueling station and spend at least 5 minutes and a lot of cash,
not to mention the noxious gas fumes.

I would very much appreciate it if you would reconsider your
philosophy on Grid-Enabling or plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.
It may well serve your own best interest to offer a "plug in
option" on your hybrid vehicles. Why not set a new industry trend,
seeing how you are somewhat behind in the "Hybrid Game" yourself.
I would also like you to remove the "offending statement" from your
website since IMHO you are helping to promote such false notions.

I also noticed on your "glossary" page that you mention the
differences between a "Mild" and "Full" Hybrid. I would like
to point out that many people who know would consider all
current and future production hybrids, like your Escape,
"sudo-hybrids". Since they can not really be
powered by either gas OR electric, they are still gas only vehicles
with hybrid features. A "True-Hybrid" would also be capable of driving
in "pure-electric" mode and could then be plugged in for re-fueling.
If my Insight were a true-hybrid then I wouldn't use any gas on my way
to the post office each morning, which is when I get the worst MPG.
It would drive at city speeds on electric only, and use gas as a means
to extend it's driving range. A true grid enabled hybrid could also
provide backup power for your home in case of a black out. Since your
Escape is a "Full Hybrid" then it can already drive in an electric
only mode, so why not offer a grid charging option? Surely starting
the day with a full battery would get me to the post office and then
to the freeway on ramp without any gas. This is sure to help your
vehicles economy, since otherwise it may have to drive in gas-powered
re-charging mode each morning instead.

Thank you for finally offering a domestic hybrid!
And please take into consideration my suggestions.

L8r
Ryan 00-Silver