Ford and the MyEnergi Lifestyle initiative have kicked off the MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit contest with Katie Couric on her syndicated talk show “Katie.”

Homeowners can enter this national contest for a chance to win a package that includes a Ford C-Max Energi, new Whirlpool brand appliances, a SunPower solar power system and other home products designed to bring energy-efficient living to a typical American family.

The contest is now open and runs through June 9, with the grand prize winner to be announced this summer.

Through the MyEnergi Lifestyle initiative, Ford said it is bringing together leaders in the home appliance, renewable energy and power management industries – including Eaton, SunPower and Whirlpool. Additional featured companies are semiconductor provider Infineon and Nest Labs.

According to Ford, the group worked with researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology to create a computer model that calculates the electricity usage of a typical family in their home for one year, and the potential savings associated with moving to an energy-efficient lifestyle.

As Americans’ thirst for energy grows, the group of companies involved believes that recent advancements in technology make this the ideal time to demonstrate the benefits of optimizing a family’s energy footprint.

Along with 729 gallons of gasoline and 122,000 cubic feet of natural gas, the average home in America uses more than 11,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a year; in 1930, the figure was 500 kilowatt-hours. That’s an increase of 2,100 percent.

Home appliances have made huge gains in reducing energy usage.

Today, the typical smart appliance, like a refrigerator, uses 70 percent less energy than one built in 1980.

“We’re very excited to offer the MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit to our winning families and to put it to the test,” says Mike Tinskey, Ford global director of vehicle electrification and infrastructure. “By combining a Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid vehicle, smart energy-efficient appliances and renewable energy generation, we hope to reduce the families’ energy consumption and save them money. Our computer models suggest we’re looking at a 60 percent reduction in energy costs and a 55 percent reduction in CO2 annually for these families through the retrofit.”

MyEnergi Lifestyle

MyEnergi Lifestyle shows how a typical American family can significantly reduce their electricity bills andCO2 footprint by integrating today’s plug-in vehicle technology, smart home appliances and solar energy.

MyEnergi Lifestyle works by leveraging technology so key energy-consuming devices in a home use less energy, while also shifting energy usage to less expensive periods. At night, for example, when energy costs are lower, a smart refrigerator can perform high-energy tasks like ice making or defrosting.

Along with the contest launch, during a special Mother’s Day show Friday, May 10, “Katie” also surprised a member of its studio audience with her own MyEnergi Lifestyle home retrofit.

Susan Berry, a substitute teacher from Ventura, Calif., was the lucky winner.

“Oh man, this is fantastic,” said Berry. “Now we can give our 15-year-old Ford pickup to my son, my husband can take my Ford Escape and I’ll have the C-Max Energi!”

Berry’s reaction to the surprise can be seen here: http://www.katiecouric.com/videos/katies-biggest-giveaway-ever/.

To enter the MyEnergi Lifestyle retrofit contest, applicants will need to submit an essay of 400 words or less explaining how adding solar power and switching to smart, energy-efficient appliances and a plug-in hybrid vehicle could benefit their family.

Ford said representatives of the MyEnergi Lifestyle initiative will serve as judges for the essays, and their determination of a family most deserving of the grand prize will help decide the winner.

More information on the contest, including eligibility rules and to enter for a chance to win, can be found here.

The grand prize package includes:

• 2013 Ford C-MAX Energi;
• Eaton solar inverter, solar-ready load center with home surge protection;
• Eaton electric vehicle supply equipment and generator;
• Five-kilowatt high-efficiency SunPower system that can produce about 8,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually;
• Nest learning thermostat;
• Powerhouse dynamic eMonitor for energy monitoring;
• Whirlpool brand smart dishwasher, smart washer and dryer combination, smart refrigerator, hybrid heat pump water heater and more.

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The winner, to be selected among this group, will be announced Friday, April 12 at the Green Living Show, in the Direct Energy Centre at Toronto’s Exhibition Place.

The finalists were selected by members of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada from a variety of environmentally advanced vehicles nominated by their manufacturers.

The finalists include a plug-in hybrid, three conventional hybrids and a highly efficient internal combustion vehicle.

The finalists are:

- Ford C-MAX Energi

- Ford Fusion Hybrid

- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

- Mazda3

- Volkswagen Jetta Turbocharged Hybrid

The award, presented by AJAC and Green Living Enterprises, which hosts the annual show, has been launched to recognize vehicles with the potential for strong environmental benefits and to provide consumers with authoritative information about them.

“The judges found the choice difficult because all the entrants are worthy, and they incorporate such differing routes to greener driving,” said Peter Gorrie, chair of AJAC’s Green Car Award steering committee.

The competition placed heavy emphasis on fuel economy and emissions, but also considered other environmental features within each vehicle – for example, use of recycled or naturally sourced materials – and steps each manufacturer has taken to green its operations.  Equally important, it assessed market potential – factors such as build quality, driving experience, overall features, availability, general consumer appeal and price.

“Driving is the most energy-intensive action most people do every day; our hope is this award will shine a light on how folks can improve their health, their planet and their monthly fuel bills, if they have to use a car,” said committee member Michael Bettencourt.

Other nominees included the Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel, Chevrolet Volt, Ford Edge EcoBoost, Ford Focus Electric, Mazda CX-5, Mazda6, Mercedes-Benz B 250 Turbo, Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Nissan Leaf and Smart Fortwo Electric Drive.

“After all, a car loaded with ‘green’ features will make a difference only if it sells in large numbers and supplants lesser models,” Gorrie said. “While EVs represent impressive technology that focus might have prevented the four battery-electric nominees from making the final five.”

The association said the award ceremony will take place at 9:45 a.m., Friday April 12 at the Green Living Show’s main stage.

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The new function is powered by PlugShare.com and will be compatible with the new Ford Fusion Energi and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Ford said PlugShare provides a live database of charging stations across North America. In addition to aggregating publicly available lists of stations from a variety of sources, PlugShare incorporates crowd-sourced information from users to provide the most comprehensive dataset available.

“When we launched the MyFord Mobile app and portal for the Focus Electric last year, it was the most advanced remote management app of its kind in the industry,” said Bill Frykman, business and product development manager. “We’re now expanding availability of the system to drivers of our new plug-in hybrids and offering some unique features specifically tailored to these long-range vehicles.”

Owners of the first-ever Ford plug-in hybrid vehicles can now use their smartphones from almost anywhere to monitor and manage the battery charging process, find charging stations, check energy efficiency and earn achievements for efficient driving.

“It is a little known fact that the majority of charging stations are currently free to use. By giving drivers a clear view of the reality of charging, PlugShare and Ford are showing more and more drivers that now is a great time to start driving on electricity,” said Forrest North, CEO of Xatori, maker of PlugShare. “With our real-time, crowd-sourcing features that include photos, reviews and check-ins, PlugShare has quickly become one of the largest and most popular charging station locators in North America. We are thrilled an established industry leader such as Ford has chosen PlugShare for MyFord Mobile.”

According to Ford, the station finder component of the MyFord Mobile app now blends point-of-interest search with charging station information from PlugShare.com to let drivers take advantage of opportunistic charging wherever their destination might be. Users can search for terms such as “pizza” or “Mexican food” near a location and MyFord Mobile will display the results along with the nearest available charge for each entry. Drivers can select a destination based on proximity to a plug.

“Access to public charging allows our C-MAX Energi and Fusion Energi customers to drive more electric miles – helping improve our environmental footprint and improve energy security,” said Mike Tinskey, director, Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure. “We’ve seen impressive growth in the number of installed public charge stations – growing from fewer than 3,000 units in 2010 to more than 11,500 installed units in the U.S. today. This collaboration allows for Ford customers to access all the currently installed stations, as well as gain immediate access to new charge stations as they are installed.”

Ford added that MyFord Mobile’s trip and charge log has also been updated to provide drivers with information about how efficiently they are using their plug-in hybrid vehicle in both electric and hybrid mode. By taking advantage of available data on electricity use, hybrid gas mileage and regenerative braking, the app coaches drivers to adjust their driving style to be more efficient.

The MyFord Mobile app and website still lets plug-in hybrid owners check the state of charge of the battery, get alerts if they forgot to plug the car in or if charging stops, and take advantage of value charging for the lowest electricity rates during off-peak hours. Drivers can also precondition the cabin temperature while the car is plugged in to reduce the load on the drivetrain for enhanced efficiency.

“We designed MyFord Mobile to provide owners of Ford plug-in vehicles with a convenient way to monitor and manage their total energy usage, and we’re continually working to make the experience better,” added Frykman.

MyFord Mobile is available in the Apple iOS App Store for iPhones and the Google Play Store for Android phones.

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Near the top of the hybrid class, the Prius c has found a consistent level of over 3,000 sales per month, while Prius v has been down the last two months, presumably due to the availability of the Ford C-Max Hybrid. The Prius Liftback has also been down somewhat the last two months, presumably due to lower gas prices.

In the electric category, the new Ford C-Max Energi sold 1,259 last month in only its second month of availability, suggesting it will be a strong player in this segment. The Volt declined this month, and Chevrolet said this was due to some availability issues and therefore lower incentives. Incentives on the Nissan Leaf have led to higher volumes, which should continue as local production launches and pricing on the vehicle drops, due to better availability, a new lower-priced model, and a likely increase in incentives. The Tesla Model S is estimated, but greater availability is leading to higher sales.

Among other hybridized cars, the Malibu Hybrid is stumbling as the entire model line is not performing well. Both the Fusion and Camry hybrid are finding their footing, with their share of their respective model increasing, to 12 percent for the Fusion and 14 percent for the Camry.

Hybrid market share was the highest it has been since March and April of this year when gas prices were at high levels. Plug-in share dropped modestly from last month, but the past two months are at all-time highs.

The total share of the market for alternative vehicles is 4.65 percent, slightly below last month’s 4.74 percent and the third-highest overall (slightly exceeded by the April 2012 result).

Diesels saw a slight decline of 1.5 percent vs. October, but are up 14.8 percent year-over-year.

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In a move to chip away at Toyota’s market dominance of hybrid cars, Ford will roll out two new hybrid models in 2012. The plug-in C-Max Energi and no-plug C-Max Hybrid and are based on the five-passenger C-Max sold in Europe. In an announcement in June to expand production of the two C-Max hybrids, Ford said it had changed its mind about the seven-passenger gasoline-only version of the Grand C-Max in the U.S and the C-Max will be a dedicated hybrid vehicle. The C-Max Hybrid will arrive in the first half of 2012 followed by the C-Max Energi.

“This is our Prius fighter,” said Ford’s head of global marketing, Jim Farley, during a recent press announcement. “We did a lot of research that suggested having a distinctive shape that is easily recognizable not only helps Toyota sell more Prius hybrids but gives an image benefit to the rest of its lineup.”

Of note, the plug-in C-Max Energi and C-Max Hybrid and will both be built on the same assembly lines as the 2012 Ford Focus and Focus Electric at a Ford plant in Wayne, Mich. Also, Ford recently announced that the electric drive transaxles would be produced at another Michigan facility instead of using the current supplier in Japan. Additionally, the lithium-ion batteries for both hybrids will be assembled in a third Michigan plant rather than the existing supplier in Mexico.

About The C-Max

The 2012 Ford C-Max is an American version of the European five-passenger C-Max that shares its underlying global C platform and many key components with the 2012 Ford Focus. “C” refers to an international size class, which in the U.S. falls into the compact class. In Europe, the C-Max is called a multipurpose vehicle (MPV), while most Americans will dub it a hatchback.

Like virtually every car in the category, the 2012 C-Max has front-wheel drive. Front drive positions the weight of the engine and transmission over the wheels that propel the car. That benefits traction on slippery road surfaces and, by placing the powertrain components in the front of the car, provides maximum space for passengers and cargo.

A critical dimension is wheelbase, which is the distance between the front and rear axles and a key factor in cabin space, particularly rear-seat legroom. At 104.2 inches, the 2012 C-Max’s wheelbase is just one-tenth of an inch less than the 2012 Focus, indicating adult rear-seat passengers will have adequate leg room.

In other dimension comparisons, the C-Max is two-inches longer than the Focus hatchback, a fraction wider and, at 63.7-inches in height, is six-inches taller. Space behind the rear seats is 25 cubic feet, and cargo space expands to a generous 60.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

Hopefully the U.S. C-Max will have the clever rear seat arrangement as its European counterpart. The three individual 40/20/40 seats can slide, fold or be removed completely. An optional Comfort feature allows the two outer seats to slide backwards and towards each other to give huge leg and shoulder room while the narrow center seat is folded out of the way.

Styling of the C-Max was created by Ford’s European design group and follows the company’s new “kinetic” styling themes. Ford calls this edgy look “energy in motion.”

Up front, a large, lower, inverted trapezoid grille and small upper grille are becoming signature design elements of Ford cars. Long flowing headlights establish an athletic look and the sculpted hood kicks up at the rear edges adding a touch of sportiness. The outer corners of the bumper boast eye-catching fog lights that direct the eye to prominent front wheel arches. The business end features an upright tailgate and taillight shapes that mimic the headlights.

The profile of the steeply raked windshield continues with a sweeping, coupe-like roofline that ends with a strong-rising C-pillar, similar to the smaller Fiesta. The shape is not only striking, but plays a major role in the C-Max’s aerodynamic drag coefficient of just .30.

Although not confirmed, a look inside the Euro C-Max is an indicator of what to expect when the U.S. C-Max arrives. Like the Fiesta, the same Ford kinetic design language shapes the distinctive features and surfaces of the dashboard, reflecting the dynamic and modern character of the exterior. Center console controls are inspired by modern mobile phones. It’s clear the design is targeted at a generation that’s grown up with all manner of mobile infotainment devices.

C-Max Energi

The Ford C-Max Energi applies the technology found in the less-electrified C-Max Hybrid and the Focus Electric (see below) and will be the automaker’s first-ever production plug-in hybrid.

Ford says the C-Max Energi’s battery pack will reach a full charge overnight on a 120-volt outlet. The company doesn’t mention the availability of a faster charging 240-volt system, but it is likely the Energi can use the same charger as the Focus Electric which has a four-hour fill-up time. The charge port is the same as on the Focus Electric, with lights surrounding the charge port that light up in sequence to visually indicate state of charge.

The Energi’s lithium-ion batteries are engineered for recharging and extended discharge during all-electric mode, whereas the C-Max Hybrid batteries are designed for shorter surges of electrons. Another difference between the two vehicles is the hybrid batteries are air cooled while the plug-in has a temperature-control circuit for its battery pack.

When the Energi is started, it operates as an electric vehicle until the battery reaches a level that requires charging. It then switches to a charge-sustaining mode and operates in regular hybrid mode.

As with the C-Max Hybrid, Ford is sketchy on details about the Energi and has only provided limited information about the electric drive operation. We recently tested the Prius Plug-In and, with a full charge and using a fairly light foot, we consistently traveled close to 15 miles before the gas engine took over. Top electric-only speed was slightly more than 60 mph. Expect the Energi to closely parallel those numbers.
One number that Ford has thrown out is 500, as in 500 miles of overall driving range using the battery and engine. That’s the most range of any current plug-in vehicle, including the Chevrolet Volt.

Not surprising is a MyFord Touch telematics system tailored for electrified vehicles with specific electric and hybrid information. A novel feature is Brake Coach that helps drivers optimize the regenerative brake system. At the end of each trip it will show information including miles gained from regenerative braking, miles driven and total fuel consumption.

MyFord Mobile app can keep owners connected to their Energi. Free for five years, the app can locate charging systems, show the battery pack’s state of charge, preset charging times for off-peak utility hours and a host of other functions. These can all be done via a smart phone or laptop.

Like the C-Max Hybrid, Ford is mum about the Energi’s price. Best guess is it will be close to Toyota’s Prius Plug-in which is priced at $32,000.

C-Max Hybrid

The less-electrified C-Max Hybrid will be the first Ford model to employ the third-generation version of Ford’s hybrid system. It also marks Ford’s first integration of lithium-ion battery technology in a hybrid. According to Ford, lithium-ion designs are 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter, which makes them easier to package in a vehicle, and can be tuned to either increase power to boost acceleration, or to increase energy to extend driving distance.

Ford is light on details, but technically speaking, the C-Max Hybrid is similar to the Fusion Hybrid. Both drivetrains have a high-voltage electric traction motor generator that drives the front wheels and recharges the battery. And both feature an Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine. (C-Max engine size has not been released.) Without delving into details, an Atkinson-cycle engine gives up a little power output in exchange for improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.

Ford’s hybrid system is a powersplit architecture design. In a powersplit hybrid, the gasoline engine and electric motor can work together in blended mode or individually to maximize efficiency. The engine also can operate independently of vehicle speed, providing power to the wheels or charging the batteries as needed. The motor alone can deliver enough power to the wheels in low-speed, low-load conditions, and can work with the engine at higher speeds. A planetary gear set transmits the blended output to an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) that directs the power to the front wheels.

With updates to the hybrid system, including the new lithium-ion battery pack, Ford says the C-Max Hybrid will deliver better fuel economy than the Fusion Hybrid, which has an EPA-estimated 41 mpg city/36 highway/39 combined. The company is also hinting that the top electric-only speed will be higher than the Fusion’s 47 mph.

C-Max’s direct competitor will be the new 2012 Prius V. While both are four-door, five passenger hatchbacks, the Prius V has a five-inch longer wheelbase that yields eight additional inches in vehicle length. The results are more interior cabin space than the C-Max.

As for fuel economy, to be competitive, the C-Max will have to at least match the Prius V’s EPA-estimated 44 mpg city/40 highway/42 combined. But don’t be surprised if Ford pulls a little fuel mileage one-upsmanship.

Pricing for the C-Max Hybrid has not been announced. But again, to be competitive it needs to be competitive with the $26,400 starting price of the Prius V.

Ford’s Electrification Future

Against a backdrop of increased fuel economy standards in the U.S. and tougher European emission mandates, hybrid-electric and pure-electric vehicles will play a significant role in complying with these regulations. The Toyota Prius is king-of-the-hill when it comes to hybrids and Nissan is hoping the Leaf will have that position when it comes to EVs. General Motors has made a splash with the Chevy Volt and Ford; well Ford appeared to be asleep, or at least drowsy, behind the wheel—until now.

Ford says it is tripling production capacity of electrified vehicles through 2013, from a current volume of around 35,000 today. That starts with five advanced battery-powered vehicles planed by 2012: Transit Connect Electric, on sale now; Focus Electric before the end of this year; The C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid and C-MAX Hybrid will be followed by an additional next-generation hybrid in 2012. Our guess for that model is either an all-new Escape Hybrid or the European Kuga small crossover.

Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s director of global product development, says the automaker is predicting that electric propulsion—conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles—will make up anywhere from 10 to 25% of its global fleet by 2025.

Kuzak notes that the electrification technologies have been developed in a manner that will allow them to be adapted for other global platforms. That indicates the likelihood of additional battery-based models from Ford in the not to distant future. We vote for a Grand C-Max Hybrid, and perhaps a plug-in version as well. That would keep the C-Max as a dedicated hybrid vehicle.

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