Lucas Bell 
As the coronavirus pandemic has drudged on across the globe, we have seen automakers step up to meet the call to action. Whether it be building PPE equipment like ventilators or consulting on supply chain logistics, the Detroit Three have been a part of this fight in the United States. The latest news is the announcement of new tech that will help keep the new Ford Explorer Police Interceptor free of COVID-19.
Ford have just announced a new bit of software that they are rolling out to help police forces disinfect their vehicles utilizing heat. Explorer Police Interceptors will now be able to use the factory HVAC system to raise the interior temperatures to 133 degrees. This is the temperature that Ford and Ohio State University agreed would work to deactivate the coronavirus after undergoing development research. The idea here is that the Ford Explorer Police Interceptors will be able to kill any traces of the virus that could be left over from traditional cleaning methods.
Once the vehicle is empty and the system is activated, the Explorer’s computer will raise the interior temperature to 133 degrees, by elevating engine temperature and utilizing the blower fans. In their joint research Ford discovered that this level of heat needs to be maintained for 15 minutes to ensure proper disinfection. The system will then initiate a cool-down process, alerting the officers of the progress via the hazards and taillights. In the end it might be a simple solution, but one that has the potential to save lives.
We have to give it to Ford for thinking outside of the box on this one, especially considering they only started working on said project in late-March. For one reason or another police officers are bound to have people in their Ford Explorer Police Interceptors, and having a way to properly disinfect them is beneficial for all parties involved. Departments that are interested can either install the software themselves via their diagnostic service tools, or head to a certified Ford dealership.
