Last week, Ford laid out its plan to ensure a sustainable transportation future and a cleaner environment. The plan involves three steps. The near-term runs from present day to 2012, the mid-term extends to 2020 and the long-term takes care of 2020 and beyond. It is an all-encompassing vision that touches all emerging technologies. The assertion by Greg Franette, chief engineer for Ford’s fuel cell and hybrid vehicle programs, that the greening of the company’s portfolio would continue unabated despite Ford’s precarious financial position is an important one for the planet. One of the statistics used during Franette’s presentation proved to be eye-opening: According to a 2006 report by Environment Canada, passenger cars and light trucks account for 12.5% of the growing greenhouse gas (GHG) problem, not the 25% so regularly touted. Industries, by comparison, account for a staggering 42%, yet it somehow manages to escape close scrutiny whenever the GHG situation rears its ugly head. In the near term, Ford will begin to roll out its EcoBoost range of four-and six-cylinder engines. The adoption of gasoline direct injection and turbocharging improves fuel economy by 20% or more while dropping CO2 emissions by 20% without diminishing overall performance. […]