Electric Ford Focus BEV a completely electrified vehicle is one of the newest models in a ever growing menagerie of brand new consumer plug-ins cars soon to be unleashed on the general public. The Focus Electric will be this cherished American auto maker's first rechargeable, completely fuel free passenger vehicle. In order to meet the expected demand for this all-electric vehicle, as well as the other versions of the Focus, both hybrid and gasoline, Ford Motors has invested approximately $1 billion to overhaul one of their old assembly plants.

The Electric Ford Focus BEV will be made at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant, located in Wayne, Michigan. Formerly responsible for the production of the Ford F150 truck.

By 2013, Ford plans to release a total of five electric automobiles, including the Ford Focus Electric, into markets across the US and Europe. With their sights set on San Diego as a ground zero for their world invasion of electric cars, Ford follows in the successful tracks of electric auto icons such as the Toyota Prius and the Nissan Leaf who also work closely in this region with the San Diego Gas and Electric Company.

Unlike its nearest competitor, the Nissan Leaf, the Focus Electric is available with a high-speed charger that facilitates charging the vehicle at home in a fraction of the time. This accessory allows for almost 30 miles of extra driving range for each hour of charge. The charging plug will be the same model as is found on both the Leaf and the Volt. The Focus Electric's battery pack also offers a wider range of temperatures under which it can give a stable performance, due to its liquid cooling and heating system.

The dashboard display is highly customizable allowing drivers to choose which information and details are displayed according to their personal preferences. Gauges such as those that estimate the remaining driving range or display the battery's exact remaining charge put the Focus Electric light years ahead of its competitors, at least in the display arena.

The hatchback on the Ford Focus BEV Electric brings the total number of doors to five. Its maximum range is estimated at one hundred miles and its top speed is approximately 85 miles per hour, limited electronically to preserve battery charge. The lightweight electric motor manages to crank out a delicious 123 horsepower into its single gear transmission. The total weight of the car is approximately 3,700 pounds, and Ford swears that the ride is smoother than either the Leaf or the Volt.

Much of the Focus Electric's real appeal is found in its friendliness to the environment. Much of the material it is made from, including the seating surfaces, is fabricated from recycled materials. Even the foam in the seating cushions is developed from all-natural, soybean-based oil.

Batteries and Charges

Like any other electric vehicle, what it really all comes down to is the battery. The Focus Electric's lithium-ion battery pack, a product of LG Chem, is both heated and cooled by liquids. The 240 volt fast-charger mentioned earlier is able to completely charge the Electric in just over three hours, compared to the Nissan Leaf's seven. This fast-charger is sold by Best Buy and installed by its Geek Squad technicians after a quick electrical audit of your car. The installation is performed by a master electrician and is included in the fast-charger's $1,500 retail price. Both the Leaf and Volt chargers not only cost about 30 percent more, they take about twice as long to perform the charge.

Due to the infrequency of charging stations compared to regular gas stations, Ford will include their MyFord Touch EV software in order to help drivers get comfortable with the limits of their new driving range and plan trips more shrewdly.

Ford plans to keep costs low by using standard Focus components and parts for everything except the electric drivetrain of the Focus Electric. And even though the final price of this electric vehicle remains a mystery, much depends on it as the deciding factor that will eventually determine the marketplace value of this addition. Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site