2012 Ford Focus Electric...discuss.

[97tbird]

sounds pretty interesting...Raleigh/Durham, NC is one of the 19 cities planned for initial availability, so I was reading about it a bit, and thought I'd see what people here think about it:

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/11q...info-auto_shows

http://www.ford.com/electric/focuselectric/2012/

 

[eljefino]

Why do so many cars have center consoles that look like that thing from "Everybody Loves Raymond?"

 

[Nick R]

Kind of interesting that the Ford Charger is going to be sold through Best Buy, not Ford itself.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Why do so many cars have center consoles that look like that thing from "Everybody Loves Raymond?"

ROFLMAO I know exactly what "thing" you are talking about.

 

[ueberooo]

Nice Hatch Wagon shape but I wish there'd be a hybrid version; I'd even rather take the direct injection 2.0 litre version; 25/35 isn't too shabby. Love that aero hatch wagon style though ; looks like a nice little city zipper.

Okay, I think Durham must have some cheap and possibly non-fossil fuel produced electric power (nuke? or/and hydro?) because it must be really cheap for 51% to use electric heating given their climate

http://www.city-data.com/city/Durham-North-Carolina.html
(scroll down or 'ctrl-f' find the heating fuel section).

 

[97tbird]

center console actually looks less funky than most electric/hybrid vehicles, I think... wish those silver bits were not there, although it's very few.

 

[97tbird]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
Kind of interesting that the Ford Charger is going to be sold through Best Buy, not Ford itself.


That's only for the 240v charger, right? the regular 120 V charger comes with the car free.

 

[hattaresguy]

Its a pretty cool car, perfect for must commuters. Plus with the 240V charger its only 3-4 hours to charge.

Electric cars are getting better, won't be long until they cut the charge time in half again.


That would be a perfect car for my grandmother since she never drives on the highway or goes to far.

 

[123Saab]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy

Electric cars are getting better, won't be long until they cut the charge time in half again.


I agree, I just wish for lighter batteries with more capacity.

When they hit a 200 mile range I'll jump!

Other than that, Nice to see Ford in the EV line-up.
The more the merrier.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: ueberooo
Nice Hatch Wagon shape but I wish there'd be a hybrid version; I'd even rather take the direct injection 2.0 litre version; 25/35 isn't too shabby. Love that aero hatch wagon style though ; looks like a nice little city zipper.

Okay, I think Durham must have some cheap and possibly non-fossil fuel produced electric power (nuke? or/and hydro?) because it must be really cheap for 51% to use electric heating given their climate

http://www.city-data.com/city/Durham-North-Carolina.html
(scroll down or 'ctrl-f' find the heating fuel section).



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shearon_Harris_Nuclear_Power_Plant

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: ueberooo
Nice Hatch Wagon shape but I wish there'd be a hybrid version...




The same Focus platform will also provide the basis for the coming C-Max, a slightly larger wagon/mini-mini van version.

The C-Max will be offered as both a straight C-Max Hybrid and also as a plug in, the C-Max Energi with a larger battery capacity. Both will have Lithium battery packs.

Ford C-MAX news

Some time in 2012, Wayne Assembly will become the first auto assembly plant in the world to build, Gas powered vehicles, full Electric vehicles, Hybrids and plug in Hybrids all under the same roof.

 

[Cujet]

Good looking car. I test drove the Leaf and if this is similar, it will find a viable market. The Leaf was quite basic inside and had the feel of an economy car.

 

[hattaresguy]

Originally Posted By: 123Saab
Originally Posted By: hattaresguy

Electric cars are getting better, won't be long until they cut the charge time in half again.


I agree, I just wish for lighter batteries with more capacity.

When they hit a 200 mile range I'll jump!

Other than that, Nice to see Ford in the EV line-up.
The more the merrier.


100 miles is fine for me, I never drive more than that in a day.

 

[2002 Maxima SE]

I like it, but the battery pack eats up a chunk of space behind the rear seat.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted By: 123Saab

When they hit a 200 mile range I'll jump!



You'd like the new Tesla Model S sedan then! 300 mile range, 0-60 in 5.6 seconds and it can be charged in 45 minutes!

http://www.teslamotors.com/models

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: 2002 Maxima SE
I like it, but the battery pack eats up a chunk of space behind the rear seat.

Now where is the owner going to put a big subwoofer box? Ah that's right, a sub and amps would really the harm driving range lol.

 

[Cujet]

I am fascinated by the electrics. However, the absurd price does not make financial sense. Like many Americans, I don't have a company sponsored retirement policy, therefore I save. Wasting money on expensive and incapable vehicles makes little sense. And the "fuel" savings don't exist at my current electric rates, when compared to similarly sized "eco" cars.

I could make it to work and back. But if I had to pick up my daughter at school (an additional 25 miles), or go slightly out of my way, I'd be out of luck. What about a "pop up trip" in the evening? Must I take the pickup truck? Where is the savings in that?

 

[kb01]

As soon as an electric car comes out with a 100-mile range and a $20,000 price tag comes out, I'll be all over it.

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: Patman
Originally Posted By: 123Saab

When they hit a 200 mile range I'll jump!



You'd like the new Tesla Model S sedan then! 300 mile range, 0-60 in 5.6 seconds and it can be charged in 45 minutes!

http://www.teslamotors.com/models



Very cool car! The 300 mile variant has an 85KWH battery (huge!!! ) Charging that with conventional 115V power, typically limited to 15A is going to take 49 hours if the battery is depleted. Even a 220V 30A charger will take 14 hours to charge a depleted battery. The only way a 45 minute charge can be accomplished is by hooking the car directly up to your local nuke-u-lar, coal burning, or hydroelectric powerplant. Or, possibly the electric railroad's overhead catenary wire.

With few exceptions, you certainly won't be doing this at home.

 

[SteveSRT8]

and the real world range will always be WAY less than quoted.

When they get real world stats I'll even look at one. But not when you need special wiring installed just to charge it over night!