High fuel prices have many consumers concerned. We have experienced high gasoline prices before and in a matter of months, the prices collapsed, but will this happen again? Not convinced that history will repeat itself, most consumers are not betting on gasoline dropping back below two dollars per gallon. This time, many consumers are looking for ways to reduce gasoline usage and one excellent possibility is the 2012 Ford Focus Electric car.
The 2012 Ford Focus Electric was recently introduced to Houston, and while here I was able to find out a great deal more about this electric car.
The 2012 Ford Focus Electric car has been rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the most fuel- efficient five-passenger car with an astonishing 110 miles per gallon equivalent rating in the city and 99 miles per gallon equivalent rating on the highway. Miles per gallon equivalent refers to the cost of the electricity used compared to an equal amount of gasoline and is used for comparison purposes. These MPGe numbers place the 2012 Ford Focus Electric slightly above its nearest competitor, the Nissan Leaf, and help to solidify Ford’s reputation as an innovative, forward- thinking automobile manufacturer.
All- electric vehicles concern drivers for many important reasons. One is charging. If time is limited and charging stations are scarce, it may not be possible to rev up the batteries enough to make the vehicle driveable. Another concern is the amount of driving possible on a single charge. The 2012 Ford Focus Electric addresses both concerns with technology that results in faster charging time- about 4 hours, or half the time of the Nissan Leaf- and greater range of about 76 miles on a single charge. This number may still concern some drivers and while there is room for improvement, Ford is still the market leader in this statistical measure and, depending on driving habits, the range can be stretched even further- up to 100 miles on a single charge.
Looking beyond the actual driving statistics, Ford Focus Electric has another key advantage that will be very appealing to many: It produces zero emissions.The vehicle is powered by a 23kWh-capacity lithium ion battery and Ford claims that this technology is better than nickel metal hydride batteries because it is 25 to 30 percent smaller and 50 percent lighter. Hybrid vehicles also use batteries, but they alternate between battery power and gasoline, resulting in some emissions. With the Ford Focus Electric, there are no emissions, making it the greenest vehicle currently available to American consumers.
Eliminating the need to refuel, the Ford Focus Electric would seem like the perfect solution to high prices at the pump as well as taking it “easy” on the environment, but there is one factor that could make some potential buyers reconsider, and that is the sticker price. The car will retail for about $40,000, which could place it out of the financial reach of many families. The good news is that some states are still offering tax credits and other incentives for purchasing all- electric vehicles. Some of these incentives are highly attractive and they can help reduce the overall cost by $10,000 or more. Still, some argue that the higher price negates any savings in gasoline cost and they are not yet convinced that a vehicle like the Ford Focus Electric is right for them.
Saving money is important and high gasoline prices are making it difficult for families to maintain ever- tightening budget restrictions. The added bonus benefit of not depending on gas makes the Ford Focus Electric and exciting prospect. With the Ford Focus Electric, gasoline could easily become obsolete and the vehicle could prove itself very popular when Ford rolls it out to 19 markets across the United States before the end of the year.
What do you think about this electric car? Is it something you would be interested in buying? We would love to hear what you have to say!