Ford Motor Studying Plug-In Hybrids

Ford Motor Co. is studying the role a plug-in hybrid might have in its future, Chief Executive Bill Ford Jr. said.

The idea of a plug-in hybrid, which would add rechargeable batteries to a gasoline-electric hybrid system and enable the vehicle to run solely on electric power for extended periods, is promoted by environmentalists but has not been embraced by automakers.

Previously, only Toyota Motor Corp. had voiced interest, saying it was watching private development efforts by companies such as Monrovia-based Energy Control Systems Engineering.

-- John O’Dell