Our new generation of hybrids coming this year — Fusion, Fusion Energi, C-MAX and C-MAX Energi, and one more vehicle — will use our own in-house designed and built eCVT— Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission.

Our transmission does not shift gears like a regular step gear automatic transmission. Instead it uses an infinitely variable ratio and two electric motors, a generator and traction motor to propel the vehicle.

Here is a brief explanation of how an eCVT works:

In place of a conventional step ratio transmission is an electronically controlled planetary gear set that includes the traction motor and generator.

The planetary gear set can vary the distribution of power from the gasoline engine, electric motor and generator to the vehicle’s wheels. Because of this capability, the vehicle can run on the gasoline engine, the electric drive system or both, depending on the driving situation. The transmission also allows the electric motor to collect braking energy from the wheels during a braking event, allowing brake regeneration to charge the battery instead of losing energy to heat through friction.

In addition, the planetary gear set acts as an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT), meaning the gasoline engine can always run at its most efficient or powerful engine speed for a given vehicle speed. This eCVT contributes to efficiency and performance, as well as to refinement, because there are no defined shifting “steps” during acceleration.