Ford Introduces Its First Zero-Emissions Passenger Car – Focus Electric
Ford Motor Company unveiled its all-new Focus Electric – the company's first-ever all-electric passenger car – on January 7. 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 CO2 emissions 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."
The Focus Electric will launch in late 2011 and is designed to offer enough range to cover the majority of daily driving habits of Americans. It will offer a mile-per-gallon equivalent better than Chevrolet Volt and will be competitive with other battery electric vehicles.
A full recharge is expected to take three to four hours at home with the 240-volt charge station – half the charge time of the Nissan Leaf.
Focus Electric is one of five new electrified vehicles included in Ford's electrification strategy. Initial deliveries of Transit Connect Electric began in North America at the end of last year and the vehicle will be launched in Europe later in 2011.