New Ford tech kills coronavirus by heating cars to 56 degrees Celsius 

Ford’s “heated software enhancement” system designed for American police cars is said to reduce viral concentration “by greater than 99 percent”.

Coronavirus has produced a number of difficulties for car makers, with factory and dealership closures bringing significant headaches. But as a technical, solution-focussed industry, it’s little surprise that one company has thought outside the box when it comes to helping defeat the virus.

Ford has revealed details of its new ‘heated software enhancement’, an update designed for American police cars that heats cabins to 133 degrees Fahrenheit (56 degrees Celsius) for 15 minutes, a temperature and duration the company says helps “reduce the viral concentration inside the vehicle by greater than 99 percent”. 

The system works by running a car’s engine at a higher temperature than normal, using this excess heat to warm the cabin. When the tech is activated, the car will flash its hazard lights to warn that it’s in operation, changing the flashing pattern to indicate when the baking process has been completed. 

Police cars in New York, Los Angeles, Michigan, Massachusetts, Ohio and Florida were used to test the software. Police forces with large vehicle fleets can install the necessary software update themselves, while smaller departments can contact Ford dealers to perform the upgrade.  

In Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles from 2016-19 model years the heated software can be activated by pressing cruise control buttons in a certain order, while earlier models require an external tool that connects via the OBD port. There are no plans to offer the update to civilian cars, though Ford is working on making it available for other police vehicles.

The system is designed to be used in conjunction with proper cleaning methods, but will work on all parts of the cabin, including hard-to-reach areas, leaving no space for the virus to hide.  

Ford worked with Ohio State University during development. Jeff Jahnes and Jesse Kwiek, microbiology laboratory supervisors from the university, said: “Our studies with Ford Motor Company indicate that exposing coronaviruses to temperatures of 56 degrees Celsius, or 132.8 degrees Fahrenheit, for 15 minutes reduces the viral concentration by greater than 99 percent on interior surfaces and materials used inside Police Interceptor Utility vehicles”.

Hau Thai-Tang, Ford’s chief product development and purchasing officer, said first responders “are on the front lines protecting all of us. They are exposed to the virus and are in dire need of protective measures.

“We looked at what’s in our arsenal and how we could step up to help. In this case, we’ve turned the vehicle’s powertrain and heat control systems into a virus neutralizer.”

Do you think that Ford's super-heating technology will make its way into production cars? Let us know in the comments...

Recommended

Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of Audi, BMW, Citroen, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
20 Nov 2023
'Once-dominant Ford and Vauxhall could become also-rans in the future'
Opinion - Ford plant
Opinion

'Once-dominant Ford and Vauxhall could become also-rans in the future'

Editor-in-chief Steve Fowler thinks Ford and Vauxhall need to get their pricing right in the EV era if they are to remain popular with customers
15 Nov 2023
New Ford Capri spied testing for the first time
Electric Ford Capri - front
News

New Ford Capri spied testing for the first time

Iconic Ford nameplate will return on MEB-based crossover
9 Nov 2023
Cars we can't buy in the UK, but wish we could
Best cars we can't buy in the UK – header image
Best cars & vans

Cars we can't buy in the UK, but wish we could

We choose our favourite cars from overseas
24 Oct 2023

Most Popular

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’
Opinion - Fiat Scudo
Opinion

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’

With some huge savings to be had, Mike Rutherford thinks a van could be the perfect vehicle
3 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking
News

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month

The Superb is one of our favourite estates and our Deal of the Day for Monday 4 December
4 Dec 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023