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2012 Ford Focus Electric at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

2012 Ford Focus Electric at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas


Next year, several more electric cars arrive on the US market. Ford is doing its best to stay in the headlines when it comes to the latest in tech. Ford has officially unveiled the 2012 Ford Focus Electric at the Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The company's first-ever all-electric passenger car. The zero-CO2-emissions, gasoline-free version of Ford's popular small car is the flagship of the company's growing fleet of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles coming to North America and Europe by 2013.

“Focus Electric is the flagship of our new family of electrified vehicles, showcasing our commitment to offer consumers choice when it comes to fuel-efficient or fuel-free vehicles,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president for Global Product Development. “Its advanced powertrain will deliver significant energy efficiency advantages and zero CO2emissions without compromising driving enjoyment. And its suite of smart driver information technologies will transform the way customers think about energy usage and their transportation needs.”


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. The sleek and stylish five-door hatchback leverages Ford's global C-car platform.


Power for the Ford Focus Electric comes from a 100-kilowatt electric-motor with a 23 kWh batter. Working together the system produces 123-hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. Ford says that the Focus Electric can travel at a top speed of 84 mph and has a total range of up to 100 miles on a single charge. No official EPA figures for the Focus Electric have been revealed yet but FoMoCo says it will offer an mpg equivalent better than the Chevrolet Volt and competitive with other battery electric vehicles.


Focus Electric will be powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery system engineered by Ford in cooperation with supplier LG Chem. The battery system utilizes heated and cooled liquid to help maximize battery life and fuel-free driving range. Ford Focus Electric uses an advanced active liquid cooling and heating system to precondition and regulate the temperature in its larger, more complex lithium-ion 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.


Future owners of the Ford Focus Electric will likely recharge the car's advanced, Ford-engineered lithium-ion battery pack at home on a daily basis, using the recommended 240-volt wall-mounted charge station that will be sold separately or the 120-volt convenience cord that comes with the vehicle.

Given the relative lack of charging infrastructure currently, Ford says their MyFord Touch EV system will give drivers the tools needed to plan their trips and feel comfortable with the realities of their driving range. The system also provides what looks like truly helpful coaching advice about driver behaviors such as optimizing regenerative braking and accelerating without drawing too much energy.


Sales of the Focus Electric will start at the end of 2011 in North America. No word one pricing yet.

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