2012 Ford Focus Electric
By far the most “normal” of the bunch (at least in terms of driveability), the only real reason the Ford Focus finds itself in the middle of the pack is due to its low range. With a full charge at the beginning of our test, Matt's Ford Focus Electric had a budgeted charge of 73 km -- budgeted because the Ford will change its range reading as it adjusts to your driving style.
While Ford claims the Focus Electric has a range of over 100 km, we didn't see numbers like that on our comparo drive. It's not that the range was low, just in comparison to the LEAF and the Volt's gas-engine backup it was bound to induce some range anxiety along the way. However, unlike the LEAF, the Ford Focus Electric boasts the shortest at-home charge time (3-4 hours) with their 240V charging station. Sans charging station and the Focus takes 20 hours to fully charge. Thanks to the innovative light ring around the charging hub, you'll always know when your Ford Focus Electric is fully charged as the ring of light will be full.
The 2012 Ford Focus Electric is, essentially, the Ford Focus we've all come to know and love (with a base price of $41,199), save for the gas engine being replaced by a 107 kW electric motor and a 23 kWh lithium battery pack that weighs in at 650 lbs and takes up a massive portion of the trunk space (which could be a deal breaker for some). The electric motor gives Ford Focus Electric drivers 143 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, which is perhaps why the Ford is the most “car-like” to drive. With linear power delivery, and one gear to handle the electric motor's “grunt”, the Focus is a pleasure to drive. Kind of.
Because there is no engine sound to speak of (and we kept all radios off to save as much battery power as possible) the suspension noise is a bit aggravating. Too-sensitive regenerative brakes and a turning radius that's akin to a pickup are also negative traits the 2012 Ford Focus carries. Thankfully, the Focus makes up for it with sporty handling and the best looking (and most normal) interior design of the bunch.
So, how did the 2012 Ford Focus fair in terms of range leftover after our day of driving? According to the fancy LCD screen (where Ford offers driving tips on optimal braking for recharge and will even offer up a flock of butterflies fluttering by as a reward if your foot is light enough on the throttle), the Focus was left with a 28 km range. Not bad at all -- but not the best.
By far the most “normal” of the bunch (at least in terms of driveability), the only real reason the Ford Focus finds itself in the middle of the pack is due to its low range. With a full charge at the beginning of our test, Matt's Ford Focus Electric had a budgeted charge of 73 km -- budgeted because the Ford will change its range reading as it adjusts to your driving style.
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| Photo: Michel Deslauriers |
While Ford claims the Focus Electric has a range of over 100 km, we didn't see numbers like that on our comparo drive. It's not that the range was low, just in comparison to the LEAF and the Volt's gas-engine backup it was bound to induce some range anxiety along the way. However, unlike the LEAF, the Ford Focus Electric boasts the shortest at-home charge time (3-4 hours) with their 240V charging station. Sans charging station and the Focus takes 20 hours to fully charge. Thanks to the innovative light ring around the charging hub, you'll always know when your Ford Focus Electric is fully charged as the ring of light will be full.
The 2012 Ford Focus Electric is, essentially, the Ford Focus we've all come to know and love (with a base price of $41,199), save for the gas engine being replaced by a 107 kW electric motor and a 23 kWh lithium battery pack that weighs in at 650 lbs and takes up a massive portion of the trunk space (which could be a deal breaker for some). The electric motor gives Ford Focus Electric drivers 143 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, which is perhaps why the Ford is the most “car-like” to drive. With linear power delivery, and one gear to handle the electric motor's “grunt”, the Focus is a pleasure to drive. Kind of.
Because there is no engine sound to speak of (and we kept all radios off to save as much battery power as possible) the suspension noise is a bit aggravating. Too-sensitive regenerative brakes and a turning radius that's akin to a pickup are also negative traits the 2012 Ford Focus carries. Thankfully, the Focus makes up for it with sporty handling and the best looking (and most normal) interior design of the bunch.
So, how did the 2012 Ford Focus fair in terms of range leftover after our day of driving? According to the fancy LCD screen (where Ford offers driving tips on optimal braking for recharge and will even offer up a flock of butterflies fluttering by as a reward if your foot is light enough on the throttle), the Focus was left with a 28 km range. Not bad at all -- but not the best.
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| Photo: Michel Deslauriers |