Ford Motor Company has just released its plan for surviving the recession. The report is part of an effort this week by the Big Three automakers to get massive loans from the government.

They were turned away last month when they came to Washington begging for money but forgetting to leave their private jets at home. This time at least two of the executives reportedly drove to Washington (or at least part of the way).

At the heart of the plan is the use of “advanced” technology to make cars with better fuel economy, including several hybrids and an electric van. From the report: “Half of our Ford, Lincoln and Mercury light duty nameplates qualify by 2010 as ‘Advanced Technology Vehicles’ under the Energy Independence and Security Act [EISA].”

So what is an advanced technology vehicle? According to EISA it is the following:
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY VEHICLE- The term `advanced technology vehicle’ means a light duty vehicle that meets–

1. the Bin 5 Tier II emission standard established in regulations issued by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency under section 202(i) of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7521(i)), or a lower-numbered Bin emission standard;
2. any new emission standard in effect for fine particulate matter prescribed by the Administrator under that Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.); and
3. at least 125 percent of the average base year combined fuel economy for vehicles with substantially similar attributes.

The first two have to do with particulates and other emissions that lead to smog. Bin 5 Tier II is the middle-of-the-road level of emissions under relatively new, strict emissions standards. Car companies haven’t had trouble meeting these requirements, according to an EPA report. So being able to meet these standards in the future isn’t that impressive.

Improving fuel economy so that it is 25 percent higher than other similar vehicles is much more impressive.

So just how is Ford going to do this?

Next year the company will sell many of its cars with “Ecoboost” engines. These use direct-injection and turbo-charging to extract more power from engines, allowing the company to use smaller, more efficient engines.

The technology can improve fuel economy by 20 percent. The company is also doing smaller things, like using electric power steering pumps and 6-speed transmissions, which can improve efficiency by a few percentage points. It’s also adding two more hybrids to the two it already has (the Escape and Mariner).

None of this is that new, it’s basically adapting existing technologies in more intelligent ways. But it’s good to see Ford is actually doing it. More cutting edge is the company’s plan to sell plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, starting with an electric van in 2010 and an electric sedan in 2011. We can expect more details before the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.