2011 CES: 2012 Focus Electric boasts better efficiency than Volt

Ford used the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to introduce the Focus Electric, their first all-electric passenger car. With an on-sale date of late 2011, the electric version of the Focus will be, Ford claims, the flagship of the five electrified vehicles that the company will have on sale in North America and Europe by 2013. The Transit Connect Electric went on sale in late 2010.

Ford threw down the gauntlet by boasting that the car will "offer a mile-per-gallon equivalent better than Chevrolet Volt" and that the three to four hour charging time (on a 240-volt home charging station) is "half the charge time of the Nissan Leaf." Let the horsepower, er.... kilowatt wars commence!

The car is a five-door hatchback that promises enough range to meet the daily driving needs of most Americans. Of course, the magic number that concerns all potential electric car buyers is how many miles you can get from a fully charged car. Apparently either Ford doesn't know or doesn't want us to know before all the hoopla scheduled for the Detroit auto show next week. The all-electric powertrain, with its single-speed transmission, provides a claimed 84-mph top speed.

Like Leaf and Volt, the Focus Electric can be charged using a 240-volt Level 2 charge station that is sold separately through Best Buy, or via the 120-volt cord that comes with the vehicle. Charge times on 120-volt power were not released. Ford recommends using the 240-volt charger.  The estimated cost to fully charge vehicle: $2 to $3 (based on nationwide average cost on $0.10 per kWh).

In addition to an enhanced MyFord Touch system that displays information such as battery charge state, distance to nearest charge point, and expected range, the system includes a gimmicky SmartGauge that displays surplus range in the form of blue butterflies. The more butterflies that are displayed, the more range available. The navigation system will offer guidance to help drivers achieve their desired range or adjust their travel plans in order to recharge the car.

Ford also developed a new mobile application, called MyFord Mobile, to allow smart phone users to get updates on the vehicle, monitor the state of charge, and get alerts when the car is done charging. (Read: "MyFord Mobile eases electric Focus range anxiety, adds conveniences.")

See our 2011 Detroit Auto Show coverage, and follow along in the Cars blog and via Twitter @CRcars.

—Jon Linkov

See our guide to fuel economy for advice on saving gasoline. Learn about future technologies in our guide to alternative fuels.