In the US, MyEnergi Lifestyle pilot projects in California and Colorado each resulted in energy cost savings of about 60% and CO₂ emissions reductions of more than 55%. If every home in the United States were to implement these energy-saving technologies, it would be the equivalent of taking all the homes in California, New York and Texas—32 million homes—off the power grid.

Introducing MyEnergi Lifestyle to Chinese consumers is part of Ford’s effort to rethink how we approach global energy consumption. More than ever, cars are using the same energy sources that we use at home, and it’s imperative that leaders in the automobile, renewable energy and home appliance sectors work together to create a more sustainable tomorrow.

—John Lawler, chairman and CEO, Ford China

The MyEnergi Lifestyle pilot program, led by Ford in close partnership with Haier U+, Trina Solar and Delta Electronics, will begin with families in Beijing and Shanghai. Ford and the MyEnergi Lifestyle collaborators will outfit families with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, at-home solar power systems and efficient appliances in order to demonstrate the real world impact of energy saving products.

The pilot program will track participants’ energy use and carbon output in order to highlight the environmental and economic advantages of vehicle electrification, solar energy generation and utilizing efficient appliances in the home.

Ford worked with researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology to create a computer model that calculates annual consumption before and after instituting the MyEnergi Lifestyle model, as they did for the similar MyEnergi Lifestyle project in the US.

For the China project, the model predicts cumulative savings of 63% in energy costs—a 40% and 69% drop in electric and gasoline bills, respectively, for a total of approximately RMB 9,400 (US$1,515) in annual savings, and a 45% decrease in CO₂ output, for a total reduction of 6,828 kg.

(Energy and carbon predictions are based on Georgia Institute of Technology model utilizing a Ford Fusion Energi Plug-In Hybrid, 3kW of in-home solar generation, 170 square meters of space, and 525 kWh monthly energy consumption.)

When we decided to bring MyEnergi Lifestyle to China, we looked at some of the more common differences between American and Chinese families, like their housing and commuting patterns. From there, we built on what we learned from MyEnergi Lifestyle in the US and tailored it for China, doing our best to understand how the average Chinese family lives, drives, works and plays, and the associated energy needs.

—Mike Tinskey, global director of Vehicle Electrification and Infrastructure, Ford Motor Company

Technologies in the MyEnergi Lifestyle program include:

• Ford Fusion Energi Plug-In Hybrid
• Delta Electric Vehicle Charging Station
• Trina Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation System
• Haier U+ High Efficiency Smart Appliances

In addition to energy and cost savings, a holistic approach of employing an everyday electric vehicle combined with solar power and efficient appliances can have a significant impact on reducing emissions that lead to pollution. The MyEnergi Lifestyle model also predicts:

• 32% reduction of PM_2.5
• 35% reduction of PM₁₀
• 38% reduction of NO_x
• 38% reduction of SO_x

Where coal-fired power stations play a major part in electricity production—as they do in many economies—electrification of vehicles must go hand in hand with the implementation of cleaner and renewable energy sources.

The companies involved in MyEnergi Lifestyle—Ford, Haier U+, Trina Solar, and Delta—share a common vision for a more sustainable future for China. The cross-sector partnership represents an effort to connect each company’s most advanced environmentally friendly technologies to build holistic, energy-saving solutions for the modern Chinese family.

Since its establishment in 1984, Haier Group has expanded its business from the production of refrigerators to areas including household appliances, communication services, IT digital products, home furnishings, logistics, finance, real estate and bio-pharmaceutical products, becoming a world leader in a wide variety of life solutions. Haier U+ was launched earlier this year, and focuses on energy efficient products for a smarter, more sustainable lifestyle.

Trina Solar Limited is a global leader in photovoltaic modules, solutions and services. Founded in 1997 as a photovoltaic system integrator, Trina Solar today drives smart energy together with installers, distributors, utilities and developers worldwide.

Founded in 1971, Delta is a global leader in power and thermal management solutions. As an energy-saving solutions provider with core competencies in power electronics and in innovative research and development, Delta’s businesses encompass Power Electronics, Energy Management, and Smart Green Life.