Skip advert
Advertisement

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. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

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...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
Fast Fords won’t die: ST and RS performance brands will have a role in the EV future
Ford Focus ST - front cornering

Fast Fords won’t die: ST and RS performance brands will have a role in the EV future

Hot Ford models have been falling by the wayside but we may see some iconic badges return soon
News
11 Apr 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
Restricting supply of petrol cars still an option for Ford as EV targets bite
Ford Mustang Mach E GT

Restricting supply of petrol cars still an option for Ford as EV targets bite

The government’s consultation on the ZEV mandate is due in the next few months and should provide some certainty for manufacturers but Ford may still …
News
13 Mar 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal

The value-focused Volkswagen ID.3 Match performs well and is easy to live with
Road tests
28 Apr 2025