With zero-CO2-emissions and an expected 100 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) fuel efficiency Ford is getting ready to plug into the grid with its first fully electric car, the Focus Electric. The Focus Electric is the flagship of Ford?s high efficiency lineup offering fuel conscious drivers what Ford calls, the ?Power of Choice? in a virtual smorgasbord of high efficiency Focus vehicles.
In addition to the high efficiency on the road, the Focus Electric features a faster charging technology, allowing it to fully recharge in three to four hours ? half the time of Nissan Leaf. This technology can help double the car?s range during a busy day of driving and recharging multiple times.?
?Focus Electric?s innovative faster charging technology can help customers save money and get much more out of the car in a busy day of running around town and recharging between stops,? said Sherif Marakby, director of Ford?s Electrification Programs and Engineering. ?We also are pleased the Focus Electric will break the 100 MPGe mark ? a great symbol of how Ford has transformed its fleet with many vehicles delivering leading fuel economy and efficiency.?
Ford began taking orders for the 2012 Focus Electric in November through Certified Electric Vehicle Dealers in California and New York/New Jersey markets. In 2012, availability of the Focus Electric will expand to another 15 launch markets as production ramps up.
Focus Electric is powered by an advanced lithium-ion (li-ion) battery system with an advanced active liquid cooling and heating system to precondition and regulate the temperature in its larger, more complex battery system.
The active liquid system heats or chills a coolant before pumping it through the battery cooling system. This loop regulates temperature throughout the system against external conditions. On hot days, chilled liquid absorbs heat from the batteries, dispersing it through a radiator before pumping it through the chiller again. On cold days, heated liquid warms the batteries, gradually bringing the system?s temperature to a level that allows it to efficiently accept charge energy and provide enough discharge power for expected vehicle performance.
A unique ?set it and forget it? value charging feature, powered by Microsoft, is designed to help owners in the U.S. charge their cars when the utility rates are lower. The tool aims to help customers avoid unnecessary expense by providing an optimized charging solution. In the future, these smart charging habits can help utility companies understand and better manage the demands placed upon the electric grid because of electrified vehicles.
Focus Electric?s SYNC? with MyFord Touch? driver connect technology was specifically developed for electric vehicle owners and displays key information such as battery state of charge. The system?s MyView feature allows drivers to access even more vehicle data including the electrical demands of such accessories as air conditioning, which can affect driving range.
Drivers also can input destinations, including their next charge point, into the car?s MyFord Touch map-based navigation system, and the car will coach drivers on how to achieve the desired range ? or advise if travel plans need to be adjusted. The on-board navigation system provides an EcoRoute option based on characteristics of efficient electric vehicle driving.
At the end of each trip, a display screen provides distance driven, miles gained through regenerative braking, energy consumed and a comparative gasoline savings achieved by driving electric.
