Ford Focus Electric: 105 MPGe, 76 Mile Range

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

The Ford Focus Electric has been rated by the EPA at 105 MPGe combined (99 MPGe on the highway and 110 MPGe in the city), with a range of 76 miles.

Ford claims that the Leaf, by contrast, has a range of 73 miles – our own Alex Dykes found that a 75 mile range was perfectly attainable without making any serious sacrifices. The Focus Electric is $4,795 more than the Leaf, at $39,995. A $7,500 tax credit will be available from the federal government as well.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Oldyak Oldyak on Mar 03, 2012

    Wait a minute and let me catch my breath........ I don't know about you but I live in a country with over 10% real unemployment and a deficit that is partially caused by giving$7500.00 tax credits on $40,000.00 cars......that get a 76 mile range??? This is so crazy its actually (not) funny! Who the hell can afford these things???? Not in my neighborhood,that's for sure! You can buy a Nissan Versa for a little over 25% as much but..no ,wait,let me think about it.......Ill buy a car that goes 76 miles..jacks up utility rates...requires me to have an electrician(cheap labor for sure) to install a 240 outlet in my garage..and an unproven battery life......... get a F_ _ _ ing grip here...

    • See 1 previous
    • Joeaverage Joeaverage on Mar 05, 2012

      fozone = spot on!!!!

  • Shaker Shaker on Mar 03, 2012

    The Focus Electric IS a stunner (looks-wise) compared to the (somewhat homely) Leaf -- but, the cargo space behind the rear seat of the Focus is extremely limited due to the intrusion of the battery pack. The Focus is heavier as well, so the range in hilly terrain is likely to be less than the Leaf under similar circumstances. But I certainly would consider buying one (of either) if I had that kind of cash for a small car (BMW 1-series territory, I suppose).

  • APaGttH APaGttH on Mar 03, 2012

    Volt comes out - starting price was $41K - wails that it is over priced and the competition will kill it. Price reduced to $39,995 (and coming soon to a dealer near you - likely incentives to goose sales) Comparably equipped Prius Plug-In Advanced, with an 11 mile electric range if you drive under 62 MPH - $39,525. At least the Prius Plug-In Advanced has brand equity (yes, you can get the decontented cheaper version but the equipment level doesn't line up with the rest of the class - the true value falls somewhere between the two but the Prius has the price advantage, at the sacrifice of any meaningful electric range - the "plug-in" part is borderline marketing bullet versus practical engineering solution) Ford Focus electric - $39,995. See a trend here yet? I'm concluding the electric car market isn't even niche - it falls somewhere in and around, "what are all these car maker thinking." Clearly the cost of batteries is too prohibitive to be competitive. In the case of the Volt, just get a Cruze Eco with every option and buy a lifetime supply of gas with the cash you saved. In the case of the Focus electric, get a Focus Titantium and buy a lifetime supply of gas with the cash you saved. In the case of the Prius Plug-In Advanced, get a Prius V and buy a lifetime...well you get the idea. Wake me up when gasoline is $10 a gallon - then these cars will start to make sense. Cars like the electric Focus and Leaf if you do short hauls and don't do any cross country driving, and live in an area where chargers are readily available. The Prius Plug-In and Volt if you need to do mixed driving of short and long haul - given you're not tethered to an electrical cord to go as far as you need/want. Nothing buy toys for bragging rights on how green you are; all of them.

    • Joeaverage Joeaverage on Mar 05, 2012

      "Wake me up when gasoline is $10 a gallon – then these cars will start to make sense." Coming to a gas pump near you - $10 gasoline! - If the politicians don't quit taunting Iran and vice-versa. Not eager for the Iranian govt to have a nuke but I still think Israel and the US govts are aggravating the situation as much as the Iranian govt. Funny how the rest of the world isn't as up in arms as the US and Israeli govts.

  • 300zx_guy 300zx_guy on Mar 08, 2012

    yeah, it's Israel's fault that Iran has a leader than can't stop talking about wiping Israel off the map while simultaneously working on developing nuclear weapons that would make that threat real.

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