<P> In 2004, Ford and Toyota agreed a patent sharing accord which granted Ford access to certain hybrid technology patented by Toyota; in exchange, Ford licensed Toyota some of its own patents . In 2004, Ford introduced the Escape Hybrid . With this vehicle, Ford was third to the automotive market with a hybrid electric vehicle and the first hybrid electric SUV to market . This was also the first hybrid electric vehicle with a flexible fuel capability to run on E85 . The Escape's platform mate Mercury Mariner was also available with the hybrid - electric system in the 2006 model year--a full year ahead of schedule . The similar Mazda Tribute will also receive a hybrid - electric powertrain option, along with many other vehicles in the Ford vehicle line . </P> <P> In 2005, Ford announced a goal to make 250,000 hybrids a year by 2010, but by mid-2006 announced that it would not meet that goal, due to excessively high costs and the lack of sufficient supplies of the hybrid - electric batteries and drivetrain system components . Instead, Ford has committed to accelerating development of next - generation hybrid - electric power plants in Britain, in collaboration with Volvo . This engineering study is expected to yield more than 100 new hybrid - electric vehicle models and derivatives . </P> <P> In September 2007, Ford announced a partnership with Southern California Edison (SCE) to examine how plug - in hybrids will work with the electrical grid . Under the multimillion - dollar, multi-year project, Ford will convert a demonstration fleet of Ford Escape Hybrids into plug - in hybrids, and SCE will evaluate how the vehicles might interact with the home and the utility's electrical grid . Some of the vehicles will be evaluated "in typical customer settings", according to Ford . </P> <P> On June 12, 2008, USDOE expanded its own fleet of alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles with the addition of a Ford Escape Plug - In Hybrid Flex - Fuel Vehicle . The vehicle is equipped with a 10 - kilowatt (13 hp) lithium - ion battery supplied by Johnson Controls - Saft that stores enough electric energy to drive up to 30 miles (48 km) at speeds of up to 40 mph (64 km / h). In March 2009, Ford launched hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Mercury Milan Hybrid in the United States, both as 2010 models . </P>

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