Are Ford's hybrid better than the competition?

"Not all hybrids are created equal"

That's the new message that Ford wants the buyers of hybrid cars to understand. Because of Ford's lighter battery - and its 20 percent increase in power and improved chemistry at higher temperatures - the Ford Fusion hybrid is able to stay in electric mode up to speeds as high as 47 mph, unlike the 35 mph to which many other hybrids are confined.

“The Fusion Hybrid’s ability to run at a much higher speed in electric mode allows drivers to maximize fuel efficiently in many driving situations,” says Praveen Cherian, the Fusion Hybrid program team leader.

Finish: Are Ford's hybrid better than the competition?