As we move closer to the production of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, the good news keeps coming. Today, it was announced that the Ford Focus Electric will be America’s most fuel-efficient five-passenger vehicle, with an EPA-estimated 110 miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) in the city, 99 MPGe on the highway and a combined EPA-estimated 105 MPGe.
Anytime you can use the words, “America’s most fuel-efficient,” it’s time to celebrate! And we think future owners of the 2012 Ford Focus Electric will do plenty of celebrating.
The Focus line soon will also be joined by the new 2013 Ford Fusion – which Ford is aiming to be America’s most fuel-efficient gas- and hybrid-powered midsize sedans – to help create one of the industry’s most fuel-efficient car lineups. The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid is projected to become the world’s most fuel-efficient midsize sedan by achieving more than 100 MPGe in electric mode.
“Ford is giving customers the power of choice for leading fuel economy regardless of what type of vehicle or powertrain technology they choose,” said Eric Kuehn, Chief Engineer, Focus Electric. “The Focus and Fusion are great examples of how we transformed our fleet of cars, utilities and trucks with leading fuel efficiency.”
Focus Electric features an advanced charging system that allows the car’s battery to fully recharge in four hours using available 240-volt outlets that can be installed in residential garages.
Faster charging with 240 volts also can extend range as drivers can more quickly recharge between stops – up to 20 miles per charge hour – so they can significantly improve a car’s range during a busy day of driving by recharging multiple times.
For those who need to charge up while away from home, the number of charging stations continues to rise. In the last 10 months the number of charging stations in the United States has risen from 750 to 5,507, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
To cut charging costs at home, a unique value charging feature powered by Microsoft is designed to help owners in the U.S. charge their vehicles at the cheapest utility rates.
Ford will ramp up Focus Electric retail production in the first half of 2012 for dealership availability in California, New York and New Jersey. By the end of 2012, Focus Electric will be available in 19 markets across the U.S.