The All-Electric 2012 Ford Focus

The 2012 Ford Focus Electric might be entering the American marketplace at a bad time. On the other hand, it isn't often that regular consumers can purchase a vehicle so reminiscent of an Aston Martin. Don't see the resemblance? Maybe you're not paying close enough attention. One of the most defining characteristics of the Focus Electric is its grill. Its distinctive Aston-Martin shape alone is enough to let you know that this car is something different altogether.

Electric cars like the 2012 Ford Focus Electric have had a difficult time entering the American marketplace for a number of reasons, not least of which is their expense. The major automakers are working on the problem, refining their designs to reduce costs, but even with the inclusion of lightweight lithium-ion batteries and advanced technology being more available than ever, costs for producing an electric car are much higher than is found in a comparable gasoline vehicle. Thankfully, automakers have little choice but to further research into electric cars and offer them to the public. The 2012 Ford Focus Electric might be a major step forward in automotive technology, but its roots aren't particularly deep. Automakers are required to reduce their emissions and increase their fuel economy fleet-wide by 2016. The individual fuel economy and emissions will be averaged across all the vehicles they produce, and automakers will be assessed a fine if they don't meet the standard. Electric vehicles in the company's lineup will offset the larger, heavier vehicles to a certain degree, allowing manufacturers a bit more breathing room with regards to improving efficiency in existing vehicle lines.

Still, it's heartening to know that such vehicles are available, even if they are built for less-than-altruistic reasons. Like the Chevrolet Volt and the Honda FCX Clarity, the 2012 Ford Focus Electric features some of the most cutting-edge technology available that negates the need for fuel altogether, except in the case of the FCX Clarity which runs on hydrogen. Inside the cabin of the Focus electric you'll find a high-efficiency radio, more efficient lighting, and a single-speed transmission that can be a bit disconcerting to drive if you're used to traditional four- or five-speed transmissions. This transmission is built slightly differently, but feels the same, as Ford's CVT, or Continuously Variable Transmission.

One of the arguments against new electric vehicles is that rather than fossil fuels, they operate off a region's existing power grid, using atomic or coal power, or whatever power source your local power company uses. Smartly, however, Ford has found a way around this particular argument. When you purchase your Ford Focus Electric, you can also purchase from Ford solar power cells that you can use to charge up your 100-mile range electric Focus. Genius, isn't it? No, the power cells don't get installed on the roof of the Focus electric, you install them onto the roof of your garage or home. Then, like a typical backup power system, the solar cells can be installed into your home's existing electrical box through a solar converter or used apart from your electrical box just to power up your Focus Electric.

The 2012 Ford Focus Electric features energy-saving devices that help reduce energy usage and maximize battery life as much as possible. Regenerative braking helps maintain battery charge while coaching you through the vehicle's displays in how to best use the brake system. It is in fact slightly more complicated than just pressing the brake when you want to stop the car, though not by much.

There are limited markets in which the 2012 Ford Focus Electric will be initially offered, mostly in major metropolitan areas where the electric power grid will be able to support the use of such vehicles. This will also be a significant test of the real-world consumer interest in electric vehicles. How many people, after all, will be willing to spring for the extra solar panels to charge their cars away from these markets? This is one of the questions that Ford, and indeed many other vehicle manufacturers will be watching very closely.

Sources:
Ford.com: 2012 Ford Focus Electric: http://www.ford.com/electric/focuselectric/2012/

Motor Trend.com: 2013 Ford Focus Electric First look: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/1101_2013_ford_focus_electric_look/