Ford Escape Hybrid Powered by Ethanol 85 to Climb Capitol Hill - But Where to Refuel?

Legislators, Others to Participate in Hand-off of Demonstration Vehicles

WASHINGTON, June 11 -- On June 13, Ford Motor Company will hand over several Ford Escape Hybrid E85s -- the world's first full-electric hybrid vehicles capable of operating on an 85 percent ethanol blend -- to several D.C.-area organizations for real-world testing. Ethanol is made from either corn or sugar beets, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Ford has produced 20 demonstration Escape Hybrid E85s for placement in six different states as part of its testing process, and continuing commitment to sustainability.

One of the keys to making E85 a widely available fueling option for drivers is the need to increase its availability through expanded infrastructure. Today, just 1,200 E85 pumps are in operation at the nation's 170,000 gas stations, less than one percent of the total. The closest to Capitol Hill is in Northern Virginia.

Ford remains committed to partnering with the U.S. ethanol industry and urging Congress to ensure this market continues to grow. Come to the June 13 event to learn more about this issue and Ford's commitment to making half of its annual vehicle production capable of running on flexible fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel, by 2012.

  WHO/WHAT:    Ford Escape Hybrid E85 Hand-off
               Sue Cischke, Ford Motor Company senior vice president of
               sustainability, environment and safety engineering
               Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO)    Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI)

  WHEN/WHERE:  June 13, 2007
               11 a.m.
               Corner of Delaware & Constitution Avenues (next to Russell
               S.O.B.)