Ford
recently gained new momentum in the fuel-efficiency race, as its Focus Electric
earned the highest EPA mileage rating of any five-passenger vehicle in the
United States. Currently arriving at select Ford dealerships, Ford’s new electric
vehicle nets an impressive 110 MPGe in the city and 99 MPGe on the highway,
shooting past most of the electric and hybrid vehicles on the market.
The Ford
Focus Electric boasts a combined rating of 105 MPGe, which bests the Nissan
Leaf by 6 MPGe. Ford’s electric compact surpasses the Leaf when it comes to
charging and stamina as well, fully recharging in nearly half the time, about
four hours, and featuring an EPA-estimated range of 76 miles. Depending on
factors like traffic, weather and driving practices, Ford reports the Focus
Electric can travel up to 100 miles on a single charge.
“The Focus
Electric’s efficiency numbers are staggering, but the more impressive thing is
that it gets there using the existing body of the gas-powered Focus,” said Alan
Melkonian, owner and general manager of Massachusetts
Ford dealership
Stoneham Ford. “The current gas-only Focus can already get up to 40 mpg, and
now Ford has introduced an electric vehicle that has a more comfortable
interior and more passenger room than the Leaf. A great car like the Focus
meant Ford didn’t have to go back to the drawing board like other automakers.”
Ford’s strategy of
electrifying its existing models is intended to improve cost effectiveness and
productivity in a market where manufacturers like Nissan and Chevy have thus
far suffered as a result of creating electric vehicles from scratch. The Focus
Electric is built on the same production line as the gas-powered Focus, giving
Ford the flexibility to deal with varying customer demand. The automaker is
continuing that approach later this year with the launch of the revamped 2013
Fusion Hybrid and all-new Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid.
Both 2013 Fusion
hybrid models are projected by Ford to get the best mileage in their class
according to their respective powertrain categories. The plug-in Energi aims to
be the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan on the market, with Ford predicting it
to get more than 100 MPGe in electric-only mode. Meanwhile, the Fusion Hybrid
is expected to take the fuel-economy crown in its non-rechargeable midsize
class, featuring a 47-mpg predicted rating.
For all its
attention on the hybrid models, Ford is by no means neglecting gas-only
versions of the all-new Fusion. The automaker will be offering both a 1.6-liter
and 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine on the 2013 Fusion, giving owners a solid balance
of power and fuel efficiency. While Ford expects the 1.6-liter EcoBoost to
return a best-in-class 37 mpg on the highway, the 2.0-liter Fusion EcoBoost
will provide customers the option of a fuel-efficient performance model.
“Ford
is hitting fuel efficiency from all angles in a smart, practical way,”
Melkonian added. “Its customers get a great selection of models and a choice of
how they are powered, while it reaps the benefits of streamlined production and
better quality control. The new Fusion will be a prime example of that when it
arrives at our dealership later this year.”
