Ford Focus Electric

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What is it? The Ford Focus Electric is a five-door hatchback that promises the same 100-mile electric range on a charge as several other electric cars coming to market, only with a shorter charge time.

Ford's first all-electric car for consumers (as opposed to contractors), is based on the new 2012 Focus, and comes only as a four-door hatchback, which seats five. Its 24 kwh lithium-ion battery takes up a sizeable amount of trunk space, and eliminates the flat floor in the rear when the back seats are folded down.

In addition to an enhanced MyFord Touch system that displaysinformation such as battery charge state, distance to nearest chargepoint, and expected range, the system includes a gimmicky SmartGaugethat displays surplus range in the form of blue butterflies. The morebutterflies that are displayed, the more range available. Thenavigation system will offer guidance to help drivers achieve theirdesired range or adjust their travel plans in order to recharge thecar.

The company also developed a new mobile application, calledMyFord Mobile, to allow smart phone users to get updates on thevehicle, monitor the state of charge, and get alerts when the car isdone charging. (Read: MyFord Mobile eases electric Focus range anxiety, adds conveniences.)

Ford estimated cost to fully charge vehicle at $2 to $3 (based on nationwide average electric rate of $0.11 per kWh).

Like Leaf and Volt, the Focus Electric can be charged anywhere on a 110-volt outlet. But we recommend buying a 240-volt Level 2 charge station that will be sold separately through Best Buy.

What's new or notable? The Focus electric will use the first 6.6 kilowatt charger on-board, which will cut charge times in half compared with the Nissan Leaf. That means the Focus could theoretically cover the 100-mile range of its batteries every four hours, rather than every eight hours for the Leaf (using a 240-volt, Level 2 charger). In addition, the Level 2 charge station (called an EVSE, for electric vehicle supply equipment) which provides power to the on-board charger, will be sold through ordinary retail outlets and plug into an ordinary 240-volt wall socket. That makes it far more portable than other EVSEs, which must be hard-wired to a house or building. It is also cheaper than other EVSEs, at $1,400, compared with other $2,000 models.

When will it be available? End of 2011.