- The 2012 Ford Focus Electric is expected to beat the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt — but not the 2012 Mitsubishi i — in the fuel-economy race.
- Ford said the Focus Electric is expected to achieve a 100 mpg-equivalent fuel-economy rating.
- The EPA has yet to post official Focus Electric fuel-economy ratings on its Web site.
DEARBORN, Michigan — The 2012 Ford Focus Electric is expected to beat the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt — but not the 2012 Mitsubishi i — in the fuel-economy race.
Ford said the Focus Electric is expected to achieve a 100 mpg-equivalent fuel-economy rating. The range is 70-100 miles "depending on driving style." The conventional 2012 Ford Focus with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and a six-speed automatic transmission returns 28 mpg in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway for a combined total of 31 mpg, according to the EPA.
The EPA has yet to post official Focus Electric fuel-economy ratings on its Web site.
The 2012 Nissan Leaf electric car returns 106 MPGe in city driving and 92 MPGe on the highway for a combined total of 99 MPGe, according to the EPA. The 2012 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid returns 95 MPGe in city driving and 93 MPGe on the highway for a combined total of 94 MPGe, according to the EPA.
The 2012 Mitsubishi i was named the fuel-economy leader by the EPA in its 2012 Fuel Economy Guide. The i returns 126 MPGe in city driving and 99 MPGe on the highway for a combined total of 112 MPGe, according to the EPA.
Ford said in a statement that the cost to travel 80 miles in the Focus Electric is $2.10, based on the amount of energy it takes measured in kilowatt-hours and the national average cost of a kilowatt-hour. "Driving 80 miles in a competitive gasoline-powered vehicle that gets 30 mpg would cost $8.80, based on a per-gallon cost of $3.30," said Ford.
The 2012 Ford Focus Electric starts at $39,995, including a $795 destination charge. The conventional gas-powered 2012 Ford Focus S starts at $17,295, including a $795 destination charge. Ford began taking orders for the 2012 Focus Electric in November in California, New York and New Jersey. In 2012, availability of the Focus Electric will expand to another 15 markets.
The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline this week stood at $3.26 versus $2.97 a year ago.
Inside Line says: Ford throws down the fuel-economy gauntlet with word that the 2012 Focus Electric is expected to hit the 100-MPGe mark.
Add A Comment »
tbone85 says:
11:21 AM, 12/15/2011
I think the increase in efficiency is worth noting in a game of one upmanship. To change the game, the price needs to move south of $30k.
arthurbishop says:
05:51 AM, 12/15/2011
@racinghcr8949
Ok, sounds like you're a bright cookie. The eFocus costs as much as a Volt, can only be driven at most 100 miles and you're claiming it is an automotive revelation? Wonder how much it would cost if it had a range extending engine like the Volt? Maybe 50-55k?
With bright individuals like this dude, it's no wonder all the good jobs are going elsewhere.
Don't understand how hard it is for some people to give the Volt credit but it's got to be a lot easier now when Ford can't bring out an all electric car for less than the Volt. If I had to purchase one of these it'd be the Volt hands down, I wouldn't have to compromise.
deftonesfan says:
09:49 PM, 12/14/2011
So sad to see people who call themselves enthusiast claiming the Volt has a fire issue.
1198sp says:
09:46 PM, 12/14/2011
Is the battery air-cooled like the Leaf? No one wants another fire hazard like the Volt.
rjchev11 says:
08:18 PM, 12/14/2011
"The American engineers at Ford Motor Company have really created another winner in the electric vehicle segment! The new FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC with 100 miles+ between charges embarasses the over priced,over weight,and fire prone GM (Government Motors) volt and the ugly Japanese leaf. Not only does the new Electric Focus more than double the mileage on electric power of the gas burning volt and the generic leaf it accomplishes this 100 mile+ distance with the capability of re-charging in less than half the time saving the new Ford owner time and money! Better still America's Ford Motor Company achieved this winning design WITHOUT AMERICAN TAXPAYER DOLLARS!! Kudos to all the American engineers,designers,and production workers at Ford Motor Company---DRIVE ONE!!"
I will rephrase that:
"The American engineers at Mitsubishi Motors have really created another winner in the electric vehicle segment! The new MITSUBISHI I with 100 miles+ between charges embarasses the BULLSHIT FORb FOCUS ELECTRIC. Not only does the new I more than double the mileage on electric power of the BULLSHIT FOCUS ELECTRIC, the gas burning volt and the generic leaf it accomplishes this 100 mile+ distance with the capability of re-charging in less than half the time saving the new Ford owner time and money! Better still America's Ford Motor Company won't achieved this winning design WITH AMERICAN TAXPAYER DOLLARS!! Thumbs down to all the American engineers,designers,and production workers at Ford Motor Company---DO NOT DRIVE ONE!!"
racinghcr8949 says:
07:17 PM, 12/14/2011
The American engineers at Ford Motor Company have really created another winner in the electric vehicle segment! The new FORD FOCUS ELECTRIC with 100 miles+ between charges embarasses the over priced,over weight,and fire prone GM (Government Motors) volt and the ugly Japanese leaf. Not only does the new Electric Focus more than double the mileage on electric power of the gas burning volt and the generic leaf it accomplishes this 100 mile+ distance with the capability of re-charging in less than half the time saving the new Ford owner time and money! Better still America's Ford Motor Company achieved this winning design WITHOUT AMERICAN TAXPAYER DOLLARS!! Kudos to all the American engineers,designers,and production workers at Ford Motor Company---DRIVE ONE!!
damaje says:
07:01 PM, 12/14/2011
Considering it starts at $40,000 it better beat the cheaper Leaf, you have to justify paying more somehow after all, especially considering neither Ford nor Nissan are high end brands. It would be different if it were an Electric Audi A2 versus a leaf since the 4 rings on the grill justify the higher entry point anyway.
It's only real competition is the Volt, they are both the same size the problem with the scenario is the Volt's gas engine means it does not need to get the equivalent of 100 miles per gas equivalent because after a day of driving the similar priced Volt won't be the one being towed to its destination on a flatbed.
When it comes down to it really the only thing the Focus offers is it looks better than the Leaf and the Volt but that is in the eye of the beholders and a lot of beholders will think it looks too similar to the plain focus which takes away from the Green Cache.
rayzor says:
04:34 PM, 12/14/2011
bring one in at sub 25k and we've a winner! ;-)
lzks says:
02:20 PM, 12/14/2011
I have really high hopes for this car. Leaf, Volt, and Mitsubishi-i have all been, unfortunately, terrible in one way or another (synonymously on looks). But this sounds promising and looks alot better than the rest of the lot.
redsaab95 says:
02:00 PM, 12/14/2011
Why can't Ford and Nissan offer an option of an extended range battery pack. I would gladly
pay extra for 200 Mile range. 100 mile range makes the car useless to me