Ford recently showed off its first-ever fully electric car, called the Ford Focus Electric. The 2012 Focus Electric is powered by a 100-kilowatt electric motor with a 23-kWh battery, good for 123 hp and 245 Nm of peak torque. The Ford Focus Electric platform is shared by the gasoline and diesel-powered Focus models. Other standard features on Ford Focus Electric include MyFord Touch driver connect system, 15-spoke 17-inch aluminum wheels, a 60/40 split rear bench seat, push button start, audio system with nine speakers, satellite radio and voice-activated navigation system.
The MyFord Touch driver connect system is a new value charging feature powered by Microsoft and Ford also offers a smartphone app called MyFord Mobile that helps plug-in owners control their vehicles remotely.
Ford Focus Electric owners will be provided with a suite of driver information systems – on-board and off-board – designed to help them manage the recharge process, manage the most eco-friendly route on-board, monitor battery state of charge and maximize energy efficiency to optimize their driving range.
I’m very curious though as to how Ford managed a 4 hour charge time – does the shorter charge time affect battery longevity? Is Ford using better technology? A 240V 60A 6kW charger (Level 2) should technically be able to charge the Nissan Leaf’s 24kWh battery in 4 hours, but the Leaf’s internal battery management limits the charging to 3.3kW to limit the amount of heat generated during charging as the Leaf’s battery has no active cooling.
The light ring lluminates in quadrants as the vehicle charges. Flashing quadrants represent charge in progress and solid-lit quadrants show stages of charge completion.
Ford Focus Electric introduces new features and technologies - including a unique version of the MyFord Touch driver connect system especially for electric vehicles, a new value charging feature powered by Microsoft and a smartphone app called MyFord Mobile that helps plug-in owners control their vehicles remotely.
Ford Focus Electric is one of five new electrified vehicles included in the Ford electrification strategy. Ford Focus Electric will be powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery system engineered by Ford in cooperation with supplier LG Chem. As an all-electric vehicle, Ford Focus will qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit.
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