Montreal, March 15 -- Ford of Canada has taken the first orders for its electric-powered Ranger, from utility giant Hydro-Quebec. This makes Ford the first major automaker in the country to sell EV's, and Hydro-Quebec, the first company in the country to own and operate a fleet of environmentally-friendly, zero-emission vehicles.

Ford of Canada President Bobbie Gaunt made the announcement today at a speech at the Canadian Club. She also said that Fortier Auto, of Ville D'Anjou, has become Ford's first dealer certified to sell and service electric vehicles in Canada.

"Our goal is to move electric vehicles out of the research labs and into our customers' hands," Gaunt said. "The Ranger EV is Ford's first production electric vehicle, and joins a growing list of choices we already offer Canadians who want to fill-'er-up with something cleaner."

Serge Roy, Hydro-Quebec's project manager for Electric Transportation, explained, "Electric vehicles offer an attractive solution for transportation since they are fueled by hydroelectricity, a clean and renewable energy source. Hydro-Quebec intends to meet this new customer need by supplying and installing power control systems (PCS) for Ford of Canada's customers, thus connecting Ford Electric Ranger to clean power."

Hydro-Quebec's first order to Ford of Canada calls for May delivery of six Ranger EVs, and the utility expects to place additional orders later this year. Ford was recently named as the first automaker to become an official supplier to the Project Montreal 2000 program.

Terry Spyropoulos, Ford of Canada brand manager for alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), said that Ford of Canada hopes to sell 15-20 Rangers this year, mainly to fleet customers. Among the advantages of electric vehicles are zero tailpipe emissions, reduced maintenance and improved energy efficiency over the gasoline engine, he said.

The vehicles cost $48,895 to $68,395 each, depending on their battery, lead-acid (PbA) or the more advanced nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH). Hydro-Quebec's units feature the more advanced NiMH battery.

The lead-acid-powered Ranger EV has a "real world" driving range of approximately

80 kilometres (50 miles) and accelerates from 0-80 kph (0-50 mph) in 12.5 seconds, similar to the gasoline-powered Ranger. When powered by the nickel-metal-hydride battery, the truck's driving range increases to 135 km. (85 miles). Both batteries are charged from a specially-designed conductive charging system that is extremely safe, and is the most efficient and cost-effective method of charging today, Spyropoulos said.

Additional Ford environmental efforts:

• In addition to offering the new electric vehicles for sale in Canada, Ford offers vehicles that run on natural gas, ethanol and propane - a wider variety than any other automaker.
• The company has devoted more research dollars to alternative fuel- and electric-vehicle than any other automaker. The company expects continued investment of $1 billion U.S. through 2002.
• Ford has invested $600 million U.S. in a global alliance with Ballard Fuel Systems of Vancouver to develop fuel-cell technology.
• The company leads in the use of recycled materials on its cars and trucks.
• It is a leader in the use of lightweight aluminum, which improves fuel economy.
• And all of its plants in Canada have been certified to the international environmental standard, ISO 14001.

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