COMMENT: The availability of electric cars from Ford, GM, Toyota, Nissan and other major manufacturers is why the subsidies to Fisker will likely be money thrown away.
DETROIT -- Ford said today that production has begun for the 2012 Ford Focus Electric, an all-electric car expected to be certified for a fuel efficiency rating of more than a 100 miles per gallon.
The Focus Electric battery pack can be recharged in half of the time it takes the Nissan Leaf to fully recharge, Ford said this morning.
According to Ford, the battery can be recharged in just more than three hours using a 240-volt charging station, about half the charging time of the 2012 Nissan Leaf.
Ford’s rollout of electrified vehicles began in December 2010 with the 2011 Ford Transit Connect Electric – a small commercial van built in collaboration with Azure Dynamics.
The Chevrolet Volt, introduced last December, can travel about 35 miles on a single charge before an onboard gas generator kicks in to provide electricity so that the car can travel an additional 375 miles. The all electric Nissan Leaf, also introduced last year, can go up to 100 miles on a single charge.
The Focus Electric also is expected to get 70 to 100 miles on a full charge depending on customer driving behavior.
Ford has priced its Focus Electric at $39,995, essentially the same price as the Chevrolet Volt, and more than the Nissan Leaf, which starts at about $35,200.
Buyers will qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit, which directly reduces the price they pay.
Ford dealers in California, New York and New Jersey are now taking orders. Consumers can choose options and accessories online at www.ford.com/electric/focuselectric/2012/. By selecting a special paint coating or leather seats, the price can reach $41,485.
The rollout of Ford’s electrified vehicles began in December 2010 with the 2011 Ford Transit Connect Electric — a small commercial van built in collaboration with Azure Dynamics.
Two small electric minivans also are planned for 2012: A C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid and a C-Max gas-electric hybrid.
Ford said it expects its C-Max Energi, a plug-in hybrid, to deliver a 500-mile driving range and better fuel economy equivalent in electric mode than the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid.
The new C-Max Hybrid is targeted to achieve better fuel economy than Toyota Prius v, which gets an estimated 44 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on the highway.
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