Look Ma................ no batteries

It is rumoured that Ford is taking a novel approach to hybrid vehicle technology with the F-Series some time down the road. One of the inefficiencies of current hybrid technology are the batteries that store the electrical energy (converted from mechanical energy). On top of the lack of efficiency, the batteries don't last forever and would need eventual replacement (at substantial cost). Ford is supposedly working on a system that stores captured energy in hydraulic cylinders. The alternate storage technique creates a drive system that is 3 times more efficient than a gas-electric hybrid. A Ford F-150 could get 60mpg in city driving.

If this turns out to be a real, achievable technology, it could turn the auto industry on its head. The pressure to phase out big trucks for small fuel-efficient cars would be significantly reduced. Ironically, the technology wouldn't be suitable for compact cars (due to the size of the hydraulic cylinders needed to store enough energy).