The 2012 Ford Focus Electric is the second mass-market all-electric car. The Ford Focus Electric isn’t the first all-electric small car, nor is it Ford’s first green vehicle, but it’s still important because it represents the automakers’ initiative to produce more eco-friendly cars. The all-electric Nissan Leaf costs almost $33,000 before tax savings, and while Ford hasn’t released pricing information, shoppers should expect the Ford Focus Electric to cost just as much.
Charging with the power cord reportedly extends charging time to about 20 hours. Ford will also offer value charging (in partnership with Microsoft), allowing Ford Focus Electric owners to charge their cars at the cheapest available utility rates, a new version of MyFord Touch specific to electric vehicle customers (with battery charge state, distance to charge point and relevant range equivalents), a MyView feature that includes information on the load of accessories on the powertrain and corresponding impact on range, and is introducing a MyFord Mobile smartphone app to monitor vehicle functions and charge settings.
Ford Focus Electric models for the North American market will be built alongside traditional models at the Wayne, Michigan facility.
We do know that the Focus Electric comes with a lot of tech features that make owning an electric vehicle easier. Going green is attractive, but the Ford Focus Electric isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking at the Ford Focus Electric, there’s only one car that’s a true competitor, and that’s the Nissan Leaf, the first all-electric vehicle that’s relatively affordable. Like the Focus Electric, the Leaf has a 100 mile range in ideal conditions. Right now, owning an electric vehicle isn't ideal for all shoppers.
Ford hasn’t released pricing information, but expect the Ford Focus Electric to cost significantly more than the gasoline power Ford Focus, which starts at $16,720 for the sedan.
There's no longer a Focus Coupe, but there are two beautiful body styles—a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback—from which to choose. The Focus's inherent sportiness extends to its interior, which feels, in top Titanium trim (with upgraded sport seats), more like that of a smart European sport-sedan cabin than a low-priced small car. The base seats in the 2012 Ford Focus are quite good, with better support than those of most other affordable small cars. Prices on the Focus range from $16,995, including destination, for the base 2011 Ford Focus S, up to about $27k for a loaded Titanium. At the top of the line, the Titanium earns you MyFord Touch, an upgraded ten-speaker Sony sound system, HD Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio, sport seats, a sport suspension, and sport wheels with summer performance tires.
