Motor vehicle
Ford Focus Electric | |
---|---|
2012 Ford Focus Electric | |
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Ford |
Production | December 2011 – May 2018 |
Assembly | Michigan Assembly Plant, Wayne, Michigan Saarlouis, Germany |
Body and chassis | |
Class | Compact car (C-Class) |
Body style | 5-door hatchback |
Powertrain | |
Electric motor | 143 hp (107 kW) synchronous motor |
Transmission | 1 Speed |
Battery | 23 or 33.5 kWh lithium-ion battery |
Range | 76 mi (122 km) or 115 mi (185 km) (EPA) |
Plug-in charging | 6.6 kW onboard charger on SAE-J1772-2009 inlet DC Fast Charging with CCS |
Dimensions | |
Wheelbase | 104.3 in (2,649 mm) |
Length | 172.9 in (4,392 mm) |
Width | 71.8 in (1,824 mm) |
Height | 58.2 in (1,478 mm) |
Curb weight | 3,640 lb (1,651 kg) |
The Ford Focus Electric is a 5-door hatchback electric car that was produced by Ford. The Focus Electric is Ford's second production all-electric vehicle (the first being the Ford Ranger EV), and was made from December 2011 to May 2018.
The Focus Electric uses the same body (or glider) as the gasoline powered third generation Ford Focus. On introduction in 2011 it had a 23 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack, which delivered a range of 76 mi (122 km) according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. For the 2017 model this was upgraded to a 33.5 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack which delivers a range of 115 mi (185 km) according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The agency rated the Focus Electric combined fuel economy at 105 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.2 L/100 km) for the original model and 107 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.2 L/100 km) for the 2017 model, and ranks the Focus Electric as the most fuel-efficient car sold in the United States in the compact class. The Focus Electric was awarded the 2011 Green Car Vision Award at the 2011 Washington Auto Show.
History
The Ford Focus BEV was the concept electric car introduced by Ford Motor Company at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Focus BEV concept used the European Mark II as its donor vehicle and incorporated key components from Ford's North American hybrid technology, including the electric climate control system from the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid.
The Focus electric pre-production car was unveiled at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show under the new name of Ford Focus Electric, and this pre-production version was based on the Focus Mark III.
Deliveries for fleet customers in the United States began in December 2011, and it was released to retail customers in May 2012 only in California, New York and New Jersey, in limited numbers, followed by the other 16 initial markets in the third quarter of 2012. The European release was initially slated for late 2012, but was rescheduled to start deliveries in August 2013. Unlike some smaller volume electric vehicles marketed only in California or other markets where mandated, the Focus Electric was sold in all 50 US states.
Production of the Focus Electric ran throughout the cycle of the third generation standard internal combustion model in the US. Both concluded in May 2018.
U.K. demonstration program
The concept car unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show was developed to participate in the UK Government's "Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles" demonstration initiative in early 2010. A consortium of Ford, Scottish and Southern Energy and University of Strathclyde will use a fleet of 15 Ford Focus BEVs and a charging infrastructure in and around the London Borough of Hillingdon from early 2010. This new BEV demonstration fleet is being developed partly with public funding from the UK Government's Technology Strategy Board (TSB) which promotes innovative industry-led projects that reduce CO2.
Specifications
Powertrain and battery
The Focus Electric shares Ford's global C-car platform and is built using the body (or glider) of the third generation Ford Focus. The electric car is powered by an electric motor rated at 107 kW, 245 Nm (143 hp, 181 ft-lbs), and uses a 23 kWh (75Ah) capacity LG Chem lithium-ion battery pack consisting of 430 cells arranged in 86 series 5 parallel (86S5P). The nominal cell voltage is 3.7 V with a 4.2/3.0 V maximum / minimum voltage, giving a nominal battery voltage of 318.2 V with a 361.2/258 V maximum/minimum, with a weight of 667 lbs. It is split in two with one part being under the rear seats and the other behind the rear seats. Pack capacity was upgraded to 33.5 kWh capacity lithium-ion battery pack in the 2017 model. The Focus Electric delivers 92 kW (125 PS; 123 bhp) and 181 lb⋅ft (245 N⋅m) of torque. Ford indicated that a battery of an all-electric vehicle similar to that of the Focus Electric weighs around 600 to 700 pounds and costs about US$12,000 to US$15,000, or between US$522 and US$650 a kilowatt-hour. Researchers estimate that the production of the battery emits 140 kg CO2 per kWh of capacity. The Focus Electric has a top speed of 84 mph (135 km/h).
Based on its five-cycle testing, the United States Environmental Protection Agency rated the Focus Electric combined fuel economy equivalent at 105 MPGe (2.2 L/100 km), with an equivalent 110 MPGe (2.1 L/100 km) in city driving and 99 MPGe (2.4 L/100 km) on highways. The agency rated the 2017 Focus Electric combined fuel economy at 107 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.2 L/100 km), with an equivalent 118 MPGe (2.0 L/100 km) in city driving and 96 MPGe (2.5 L/100 km) on highways. The Focus Electric's EPA certified all-electric range is 76 mi (122 km) and the 2017 model's EPA certified range is 115 mi (185 km).
Ford used a complete electric drive train developed and supplied by Magna International, and the advanced lithium-ion battery system is being engineered by Ford in cooperation with supplier Compact Power, Inc., a subsidiary of LG Chem. A full recharge using the car's 6.6 kW charger takes 3–4 hours for the original model and 5.5 hours for the 2017 model using a SAE J1772-2009 charging station powered from a standard 240 volt socket. A 120-volt convenience cord is also included allowing recharging from North American standard 120-volt outlets which could take up to 20 hours for the original model and 30 hours for the 2017 model. Ford added a fast charging option to the 2017 model, using a Combined Charging System connector to provide DC charging at up to 50 kW.
The advanced battery system uses an active liquid cooling and heating thermal management system to precondition and regulate the temperature in the battery system. This feature helps to maximize battery life and driving range. 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 a hot day the cooled liquid absorbs heat from the battery pack, dispersing it through a radiator before pumping it through the chiller again. On a cold day the 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.
Ford conducted research to define the optimal location of the charge port for the Focus Electric and the Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid. The carmaker decided to locate the port in the left front fender as such location is more convenient for home charging, which Ford found is what most customers would do. Also the side location avoids areas with high risk of damage in the event of small crashes. Ford says this fact was a driving factor in the choice of the side location rather than the rear or the front.
Connectivity and other features
The Ford Focus Electric introduced new features and a high level of technological connectivity including a unique version of the MyFord Touch driver connect system adapted for electric vehicles, a new value charging feature powered by Microsoft and a smartphone application called MyFord Mobile that owners can use to control and charge their vehicles remotely.
The specialized version of the MyFord Touch technology for the Focus Electric offers additional vehicle information, such as battery state of charge, distance to charge points, range budget and expected range margin. The system's MyView feature allows drivers to access even more vehicle data including the electrical demands of vehicle accessories such as air conditioning, which can impact driving range. This feature can be used to plan multiple-stop journeys within the car's range and to locate charging stations. The improved MyFord Touch system will also allow drivers to customize the display on a case-by-case basis according to the owners daily, weekly or monthly driving needs.
Inspired in the Ford Fusion Hybrid growing green leaves of first-generation SmartGauge with EcoGuide, the Focus Electric cluster display uses blue butterflies to represent the surplus range beyond the drivers' charge point destination, as more butterflies are shown the greater the range is, and the blue butterflies gradually disappear as the car's battery is depleted. Ford says the designers were inspired by the butterfly effect, a phenomenon in which a small change, such as choosing to drive an electric vehicle, can have an enormous impact. 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.
The display cluster is integrated with the MyFord Touch map-based Navigation System using the car's center stack 8-inch touch screen. After the driver adds destinations, including their next charge point, into the Navigation System, the system provides coaching advice about driver behaviors such as optimizing regenerative braking and accelerating without drawing too much energy; or on how to achieve the desired range, or if travel plans need to be adjusted. The on-board Navigation System provides an EcoRoute option based on characteristics of efficient EV driving.
The 2012 Focus Electric was planned to include warning sounds to alert pedestrians of its presence when the electric car was running at low speeds. Ford developed four alternative sounds, and in June 2011 involved the car fans by asking them to pick their favorite from the four potential warning sounds through the Focus Electric Facebook page. However, ultimately Ford decided to hold off including warning sounds unless federal legislation required it, and no such system was implemented on the production vehicle.
Production
2012 Focus Electric's frontal view2012 Focus Electric's rear viewProduction began in December 2011. The Focus Electric was being built at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan on the same line as the gasoline-powered version of the Focus, the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid and the C-Max Hybrid. Ford stated that initial production was limited but was ramped up in 2012. North American Ford Focus production ended in May 2018. The platform was designed for piston engines, and the battery took up space in the boot; the battery and electric motor was squeezed into a car not designed for it.
Ford began production of the Focus Electric destined for the European market in Saarlouis, Germany in June 2013. Deliveries to European customers were scheduled to begin in August 2013.
Production of the Focus Electric for both US and European markets concluded in May 2018.
Markets and sales
United States
Because initial production of the 2012 model year is limited, the Focus Electric was available initially only in 19 metropolitan areas including Atlanta, Houston and Austin, Texas, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New York City, Orlando, Florida, Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, Portland, Oregon, Raleigh-Durham, Richmond, Virginia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. Deliveries for fleet customers began in December 2011 and to retail customers in May 2012. The first production vehicle was delivered to Google in December 2011 and was incorporated in the company's GFleet carsharing corporate service. Initially sales were limited to California, New York and New Jersey. Ford has scheduled the launch in other selected markets in the third quarter of 2012. A total of 685 units were sold in 2012, and 1,738 in 2013. As of September 2014, cumulative sales in the American market reached 3,965 units.
Ford began taking online orders on November 2, 2011, with pricing starting at US$39,995, including a US$795 destination charge, but before the US$7,500 US federal tax credit, along with other state and local incentives available for eligible buyers of plug-in electric vehicles. The 2012 Focus Electric is eligible in California to a US$2,500 rebate through the state's Clean Vehicle Rebate Project (CVRP), and also was granted free access to California's high-occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) for solo drivers.
In 2012, the Focus Electric was priced significantly higher than a conventional gas-powered Focus, which, as of December 2011 listed a base price of US$16,500, rising to US$30,692 when fully loaded with all available options. Thus, after accounting for all available government incentives, in some locations the Focus Electric may be net-priced similar to a fully loaded gas version. When compared to other plug-in electric vehicles available in the U.S., the Focus Electric had essentially the same price as the 2012 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, and it costs US$3,945 more than the base-model 2012 Nissan Leaf SV. Available options in 2012 included leather-trimmed seats and two special paint options, blue candy and white platinum.
In 2013 it was announced that the 2014 Ford Focus Electric model would have a US$4,000 price reduction in its MSRP, which brought the base price down to US$35,200 MSRP. Due to decreasing pricing by competitors, as of February 2014 Ford offered an additional dealer incentive of US$6,000 off the Focus Electric bringing down the base price down to US$29,200 before tax incentives. In October 2014, Ford made the lower price more permanent by reducing the MSRP by $6,000 for both the remaining 2014 models as well as 2015 models bringing the starting price down to US$29,995, and replacing the temporary $6,000 dealer incentives offered in February 2014.
In 2011, through an association with SunPower, an optional solar-panel system was to be offered by some Ford dealers to be installed on the homes of Focus Electric owners to generate enough renewable energy during the day to offset the electricity used to charge the vehicle at night. The SunPower's home solar charging option cost US$10,000 before the then available local and federal tax credits. Ford also made an agreement with Best Buy in 2011 to offer a 240-volt home charging station.
Annual sales
Calendar year | US sales |
---|---|
2011 | 8 |
2012 | 685 |
2013 | 1,738 |
2014 | 1,964 |
2015 | 1,582 |
2016 | 872 |
2017 | 1,817 |
2018 | 560 |
Europe
The European launch was initially scheduled for late 2012. Although pricing was not announced, Ford stated that, unlike Renault that will offer a battery-leasing option on its electric vehicles sold in Europe, the Focus Electric will be sold with the battery pack included in the price of the electric car. Deliveries were rescheduled to start in August 2013.
Marketing
As a publicity stunt, a Focus BEV was featured on The Jay Leno Show in September 2009. Celebrity guests drove a purpose-built car with the shell from a European market Ford Focus and a test prototype version of electrical powertrain in a segment called "Green Car Challenge".
Recognition
The Ford Focus Electric was awarded the 2011 Green Car Vision Award at the 2011 Washington Auto Show. The 2012 Focus Electric was selected among the five finalists for the 2012 Green Car of the Year awarded by the Green Car Journal in November 2011 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
In March 2012, the U.S. EPA ranked the Focus Electric as the 2012 most fuel-efficient car sold in the United States in the compact class.
See also
- Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles
- List of electric cars currently available
- List of modern production plug-in electric vehicles
- Plug-in electric vehicle
References
- "A final goodbye to the Ford Focus, C-Max". Automotive News. May 8, 2018.
- "Ford Focus Electric | Fordmedia". Archived from the original on August 17, 2013. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
- ^ Brent Snavely (December 14, 2011). "Ford says production has begun for the 2012 Ford Focus Electric". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
- "Ford begins production of 2012 Focus Electric at Michigan Assembly, C-MAX models on deck". Green Car Congress. December 14, 2011. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
- "Forgotten electric cars: The Ford Focus Electric". February 18, 2021.
- ^ Jerry Garrett (January 7, 2011). "Ford Unveils Focus Electric in New York and Las Vegas". The New York Times. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
- "2017 Ford Focus Electric Hatchback - Model Highlights". Retrieved March 31, 2017.
- ^ Keith Naughton (March 2, 2012). "Ford Says Focus Electric Car Rated at 105 MPG Equivalent by EPA". Bloomberg News. Retrieved March 2, 2012.
- ^ U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Compare Side-by-Side". fueleconomy.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2017.
- ^ U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2012). "2012 Most Fuel Efficient Cars by EPA Size Class (including electric vehicles)". fueleconomy.gov. Retrieved March 12, 2012..
- ^ Sebastian Blanco (January 27, 2011). "DC 2011: Ford Focus Electric wins Green Car Vision award". AutoblogGreen. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
- ^ "Ford Shows Focus BEV Prototype at Frankfurt". Green Car Congress. September 16, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- ^ "Frankfurt Motor Show: Ford Focus Battery Electric Vehicle Prototype with no Compromise in Size". Ford Motor Company. September 16, 2009. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
- "Ford unveils the Focus Electric at CES". Wired.co.uk. January 10, 2011. Archived from the original on January 12, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2011.
- ^ Bradley Berman (May 4, 2012). "The Battery-Driven Car Just Got a Lot More Normal". The New York Times. Retrieved May 5, 2012.
- Nick Chambers. "2012 Ford Focus Electric Begins Retail Life with Low-Key Deliveries". AutoTrader.com. Retrieved August 5, 2012.
- ^ John Voelcker (March 9, 2012). "2012 Ford Focus Electric: 105 MPGe, 76-Mile Range...10 Sales". Green Car Reports. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- ^ Eric Loveday (May 21, 2012). "It's Official: Ford Now Shipping Focus Electric to US Dealerships". PluginCars.com. Retrieved May 21, 2012.
- ^ Eric Loveday (March 30, 2011). "Ford Focus Electric won't be offered with battery-lease option". AutoblogGreen. Retrieved June 13, 2011.
- ^ Mark Kane (June 12, 2013). "Ford Focus Electric Production Begins in Europe (w/video)". InsideEVs. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
- "Ford Focus Electric A Compliance Car? Ford Swears It's Not". Green Car Reports. November 6, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- ^ "Here's when Ford will stop making most of its cars". TechCrunch. April 27, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
- "2013 Ford Focus Electric | Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity". avt.inl.gov. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
- "2017 Ford Focus Electric Hatchback - Model Highlights". Retrieved March 31, 2017.
- "Ford Media specification sheet" (PDF).
- Michael Ramsey (April 17, 2012). "Ford Reveals How Much Electric-Car Batteries Cost". WSJ blog Driver's seat The Wall Street Journal.
- Chul Kim Hyung (2016). "Cradle-to-Gate Emissions from a Commercial Electric Vehicle Li-Ion Battery: A Comparative Analysis". Environmental Science & Technology. 50 (14): 7715–7722. Bibcode:2016EnST...50.7715K. doi:10.1021/acs.est.6b00830. PMID 27303957.
- ^ Andreea Conway (June 11, 2011). "Ford planning for a surprise to the car market". Auto Types. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
- ^ "Ford unveils the Focus Electric". Green Car Congress. January 7, 2011. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
- Cunningham, Wayne (May 6, 2009). "Ford Focus BEV". cnet. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2011.
- "2012 Ford Focus Electric Vehicle (EV) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)". ford.com web site. Ford Motor Company. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- "2017 Ford Focus Electric Hatchback - Model Highlights". Retrieved April 1, 2017.
- "Ford Focus Electric Components" (PDF). Ford Motor Company. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 11, 2014. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- Eric Loveday (May 31, 2011). "Ford says left front fender is "optimal" charge port location". AutoblogGreen. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
- ^ Nick Chambers (January 7, 2011). "Ford Focus Electric". PluginCars.com. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
- Tim Beissmann (June 24, 2011). "How should the Ford Focus Electric sound?". Car Advice. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
- Gordon-Bloomfield, Nikki (October 14, 2011). "2012 Ford Focus Electric Won't Have a Pedestrian Alert Noisemaker". GreenCarReports. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
- ^ "Ford names first markets for the Focus Electric". Green Car Congress. November 15, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
- "Ford C-Max Energi and C-Max Hybrid: 2011 Detroit Auto Show". Edmunds.com Inside Line. January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- "Ford Confirms Focus Electric Production for 2011, But Stresses Real (and Increased) Volume in 2012". FordFocusElectric.com. October 23, 2010. Archived from the original on November 23, 2010. Retrieved November 16, 2010.
- Michael Martinez (March 2, 2018). "Ford to retool Michigan Assembly in May–October for Ranger, Bronco". Automotive News. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
- Valle, Marius (April 7, 2019). "Derfor er elbilen Ford Focus død". Tu.no (in Norwegian). Teknisk Ukeblad. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
the battery took up a lot of space in the trunk. Battery and electric motor were squeezed into a car that was never designed for it
- ^ David Shepardson (November 2, 2011). "Ford prices new Focus EV at $39,995". The Detroit News. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ Sebastian Blanco (March 13, 2012). "Ford says selling 10 Focus Electrics in three months is "on track"". Autoblog Green. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
- John Voelcker (May 29, 2012). "First 2012 Ford Focus Electric Delivered To Retail Buyer, Very Quietly". Green Car Report. Retrieved May 29, 2012.
- Michael Gorman (January 3, 2012). "First Ford Focus Electric rolls off the production line into Google's open arms". Engadget.com (AOL). Retrieved January 6, 2012.
- Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield (January 6, 2012). "Five Reasons Why Google Gets Plug-in Cars Before You Do". Green Car Reports. Retrieved January 8, 2012.
- ^ Jeff Cobb (January 8, 2013). "December 2012 Dashboard". HybridCars.com and Baum & Associates. Retrieved January 14, 2013. See the section: December 2012 Plug-in Electric Car Sales Numbers.
- ^ Jay Cole (February 4, 2014). "January 2014 Plug-In Electric Vehicle Sales Report Card". InsideEvs.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- Jeff Cobb (October 2, 2014). "September 2014 Dashboard". HybridCars.com and Baum & Associates. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
- "Chevy Volt continues to lead plug-in sales in US in July". Green Car Congress. August 3, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2012. 8 units were delivered in December 2011.
- Jonathan Schultz (November 2, 2011). "Ford Focus Electric to Be Priced at $39,995". The New York Times. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- Sebastian Blanco (March 12, 2012). "Ford Focus Electric qualifies for California HOV lane access, extra $2,500 off". Autoblog Green. Retrieved March 12, 2012.
- ^ John Neff (November 2, 2011). "Ford Focus Electric priced from $39,200". AutoblogGreen. Retrieved November 2, 2011. See more details in Ford's Press Release.
- Jay Cole (July 9, 2013). "2014 Ford Focus Electric Base MSRP Drops By $4,000 to $35,200". InsideEvs.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- Jay Cole (February 3, 2013). "Ford Offers $6,000 Off Focus Electric ($29,170), Leases From $229 Per Month". InsideEvs.com. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- Michael Szostech. "Ford Focus Electric Price". My Focus Electric. My Electric Car Forums. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
- "Ford Focus Electric Price 2014". NADAguides.com.
- "Ford and SunPower to offer home rooftop solar system to offset charging of Focus Electric". Green Car Congress. August 10, 2011. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- ^ "December 2012 Dashboard". January 8, 2013. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- "December 2013 Dashboard". January 6, 2014. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- "December 2014 Dashboard". January 6, 2015. Archived from the original on March 21, 2019. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- "December 2015 Dashboard". January 6, 2016. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- "December 2016 Dashboard". January 5, 2017. Archived from the original on August 6, 2020. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- "December 2017 Dashboard". January 4, 2018. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
- Loveday, Steven. "Monthly Plug-In EV Sales Scorecard". InsideEVs.
- Nelson Ireson (September 18, 2009). "Jay Leno Show Ford Focus BEV Hot Hatch". Motor Authority. Archived from the original on November 1, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- "Electric Ford Focus Stars on "The Jay Leno Show's" Green Car Challenge". Ford Motor Company. September 16, 2009. Archived from the original on April 6, 2010. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
- Chris Woodyard (October 24, 2011). "Diesel, electric, natural gas vie for Green Car honors". USA Today. Retrieved October 24, 2011.
External links
- Official website (archived, 2012)
Ford Focus models and variants | ||
---|---|---|
Generations | ||
Variants | ||
Racing models | ||