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- The Ford Ecostar is an experimental electrically powered small delivery van that was built by the VCC110 Program Team in Dearborn, Michigan. A sodium-sulfur battery in the floor of the cargo area stored power for a 75 horsepower (56 kW) electric motor under the front hood. The Ecostar introduced the road-and-leaf logo now used on a number of Ford products. Just over 100 Ecostars were produced, and used in fleet tests between 1992 and 1996 with over 1,000,000 miles (1,609,344 km) driven. The Ecostar averaged 94 miles (151 km) on a full charge, and demonstrated 155 miles (249 km) range in one test. However, on several occasions the battery burst into flame during use. For this, and several other reasons, Ford lost interest in the sodium-sulfur battery and turned to fuel cell concepts instead. The product niche appeared to be a useful one and has led to a number of similar designs. While the 1998 Citroën Berlingo électrique was almost identical in performance and range, it just replaced the older 1991 C15 électrique. Ford is re-entering the market as well, with an electric version of the Transit Connect. (en)
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