Official Ford Focus Electric Thread

[edatoakrun]

no American vehicle manufacturer, has ever built a BEV, and offered it for sale to an American private party buyer.

I think you are forgetting Tesla here, which sold quite a few Roadsters.

Talk about nitpicking, I had mentioned the big three in the previous sentence, after all. But I have edited to:

It's disingenuous of you to imply, that BEV sales by the big three American vehicle manufacturers could be constrained by lack of demand, since, AFAIK, unless Ford has one or more Focus EVs on a sales lot somewhere, none of the big three, have ever built a BEV, and offered it for sale to an American private party buyer.

Now, as to Tesla, you are partially correct, but I could nitpick also, and say, that the Tesla Roadster is a British manufactured ICEV design, converted from a glider to BEV, in America.

 

[AndyH]

...P.S. Edatoakrun/Tony, you guys are still on my blocked list so I have not read your comments.

Just in case 'passive-aggressive' wasn't obvious before. :lol:

 

[Cheezmo]

Wired review of Electric Focus

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/04/ford-focus-electric/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They seem to like it except for some weird braking issues.

We took to the streets of San Francisco for a brief drive in Ford’s first EV and discovered that while it might not boast the same range or bespoke body as its competition from Nissan, the Focus Electric wins on charge time and something that’s been missing from other mass-market EVs: genuine fun.

 

[Valdemar]

Wired review of Electric Focus

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/04/ford-focus-electric/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They seem to like it except for some weird braking issues.

And they do need to educate their writers about what charger really is.

 

[KeiJidosha]

Wired review of Electric Focus

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/04/ford-focus-electric/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They seem to like it except for some weird braking issues.

And they do need to educate their writers about what charger really is.

Good to see an FFE in journalistic (if not automotive) hands for a test drive. A promising peek at the final product. I'd withhold judgment on the brakes until someone with EV experience (knows the difference between EVSE and charger) sorts out what is going on with the brakes/regen. And reader comments are a bleak reminder of the up-hill battle all EVs face with the general public. But more choice in the EV market is a good thing.

 

[EVDrive]

Not a bad review. I wish they would put these EV's at dealers so people could test drive them. Maybe they are waiting to see if any issues devlop so they can fix them before they roll them out and have to recall them. Could be a wise choice.

The FFE is an awesome car. We have 2 at work. I would buy one if I hadn't bought a Leaf already

Wired review of Electric Focus

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/04/ford-focus-electric/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They seem to like it except for some weird braking issues.

We took to the streets of San Francisco for a brief drive in Ford’s first EV and discovered that while it might not boast the same range or bespoke body as its competition from Nissan, the Focus Electric wins on charge time and something that’s been missing from other mass-market EVs: genuine fun.

 

[Herm]

I wonder how many people postponed buying a Leaf due to the Focus?

 

[coqui]

This is a shame. Wouldn't it be nice if manufacturers would just drop all their petty differences and adopt the same QC standard?

Does it have an option for a Quick Charger port?

Nope. They are relying on their larger built-in Level 2 charger (6.6 kW). Also, Ford is part of the group of automakers that are waiting for a new SAE standard quick charge port design, which hasn't been finalized. There is no way that they were going to support Nissan and Mitsubishi's CHAdeMO standard.

 

[scottf200]

Saw this last night while reading the news in bed...
Ford to use all-electric car as NASCAR pace car - April 16, 2012
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/story/2012-04-16/ford-focus-electric-pace-car/54321244/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) – Ford Motor Company will become the first manufacturer in NASCAR history to supply an all-electric car as the pace car.

The spring Sprint Cup race at Richmond International Raceway will be paced by the new Ford Focus Electric.

The new Focus Electric will lead the field at the April 28[, 2012] Sprint Cup Series race at Richmond.
<snip>

 

[TonyWilliams]

The Soviet era Russians did a slick move.... they made their 7.62mm bullet not compatible with a NATO 7.62mm bullet, however a NATO bullet would work in a USSR rifle.

If I were SAE, I'd be working on that standard.

 

[TonyWilliams]

They are in Oklahoma City, enroute from New York to Santa Monica, in a FFE:

http://www.menshealth.com/techlust/electric-car-challenge-about" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[TomT]

Using a F150 as a follow vehicle rather defeats the entire purpose IMHO...

They are in Oklahoma City, enroute from New York to Santa Monica, in a FFE

 

[coolfilmaker]

Using a F150 as a follow vehicle rather defeats the entire purpose IMHO...

They are in Oklahoma City, enroute from New York to Santa Monica, in a FFE

The purpose is selling EVs.

 

[Herm]

As long as the F150 and the generator are diesel powered then it meets the no gas requirements

"Though it will use public and commercial charging stations, the team will crowd-source most of the trip, inviting readers and supporters to help make the record possible by offering their 240v, 40-amp outlets, such as those typically installed for clothes dryers. "

 

[evnow]

Wired review of Electric Focus

http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/04/ford-focus-electric/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They seem to like it except for some weird braking issues.

Thanks for the link. First review of FFE I've seen.

No word on trunk space or anything like that.

 

[Boomer23]

Edmunds also has a first drive impression. They are not as enthusiastic about the drive as Wired seems to be. And since Edmunds reviews cars for a living, I'd trust their impression more:

A Weighty Issue
None of this, however, makes it a remotely good thing to drive. The 2012 Ford Focus Electric may have a slightly longer range than the Nissan Leaf and be even more energy-efficient, but at least the Nissan feels unique from behind the wheel, thanks in no small part to the fact that all of its major masses are centralized low down between the wheels.

Not so in the Focus. Because it's an adaptation of an existing car, Ford had to put the heavy stuff where it fit, which means not only does the Focus Electric have to carry another few hundred pounds of weight, it's all where you don't want it, at the far ends of the car.

Perhaps it would not be so notable were the normal Focus not such an engaging car to drive. The Focus Electric just seems heavy and slow-witted by comparison. Nor is it going to set your heart aflame in a straight line. Like all electric cars it promises much between zero and 20 mph, but it's given its best by 40 mph and is starting to flag at 60 mph. Ford says it tops out at 84 mph and it sensibly declines to post any official acceleration claims.

http://www.insideline.com/ford/focus/2012/2012-ford-focus-electric-first-drive.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[TonyWilliams]

No word on trunk space or anything like that.

....or the trunk and discover most of your luggage space has gone missing will you realize this is not a normal Focus.

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

no hatchback design would be a HUGE mistake

 

[EdmondLeaf]

CNet review

http://cnettv.cnet.com/take-ride-2012-ford-focus-electric/9742-1_53-50123256.html

 

[Stoaty]

Ford says FFE battery packs cost $12,000 to $15,000 each:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304432704577350052534072994.html?mod=WSJ_business_whatsNews" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;