Ford has come out swinging in the battle to be the most “fuel-efficient” car in the country. The American automaker — hot off the heels of an EPA certified 105 miles per gallon equivalent rating for its soon-to-be released Focus Electric – will be truly elated with the EPA’s recent fuel efficiency certification.
The EPA’s findings actually best the Blue Oval’s own estimate by 5 miles when the company stated back in December that the all-electric Focus would be able to get about 100 MPGe.
Of course Ford is not wasting any time sticking it to Nissan by ruffling a few feathers – make that Leafs. The Dearborn-based automaker was quick to point out that the Focus electric has been officially certified by the EPA to offer 105 MPGe combined, which beats Nissan’s Leaf by 6 MPGe, while at the same time offering more power and more standard features. And since there is nothing like kicking a man when he is down, Ford was also keen to point out (again) the Focus’s roomier interior and faster charging times than its Japanese counterpart.
“We’ve been working for three years to make the Focus Electric America’s most fuel-efficient vehicle of its kind,” said Chuck Gray, Ford chief engineer of Global Core Engineering Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. “The entire group feels like a sports team that has just won a major championship. It’s a good feeling to be at this point now.”
Ford will surely be pleased with the EPA-approved label that also certifies the Focus Electric’s range of 76 miles on a single charge – that figure can increase to 100 miles depending on driving habits — again besting the Leaf’s 73-mile range. While that number will undoubtedly fail to impress EV skeptics, it’s important to note that the average American drives about 29 miles a day, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
The EPA has also confirmed that customers opting to purchase a Focus Electric could save up to $9,700 in fuel over a five year period when compared to the average new vehicle. Not surprisingly, that number could climb even higher given the rising cost of gasoline.
It isn’t all doom-and-gloom for the Nissan’s Leaf, though. While Ford can certainly point to a number of figures that overtake the Leaf, one figure in particular Ford will certainly not be parading around is price. When it arrives, the Focus Electric will start at $39,200 before the $7,500 federal tax credit. In comparison, the Leaf starts around $35,200.
“The EPA has also confirmed that customers opting to purchase a Focus Electric could save up to $9,700 in fuel over a five year period when compared to the average new vehicle.”
That along with a potential for 105MPGe will probably mean a pretty significant boost for Ford.
Hooray Ford and all Car makers who are willing to make this plunge! Since when is the economics of a vehicle purchase dependent on when the car “pays for itself”? How long does it take before a Ford Excursion “pays for itself”? Kudos indeed.
Keep producing and we will keep adopting!
Hmmm. You can buy a full petrol car these days for around $20,000 that is rated 40 MPG. In addition, you can buy a gas / electric hybrid for $35,000 that get’s about 50 MPG (again, EPA rating). And both of these type vehicles can go further than 75 to 100 miles on a “full tank” than the current crop of full electric vehicles. And you can refill a petrol car in 5 minutes – not so with a full electric vehicle. So when you save some money on the purchase (let’s say $10,000) and you get 40 MPG and gas is $5/gal – you will be able to drive 80,000 miles with the savings. And that doesn’t take into account the time value of money and the fact that gas may drop in price again as it has in the past.
You can make a case for a full electric on environmental grounds (a case I support). But buying a new and expensive car to save money on gas isn’t clear cut. You have to put the pencil to the paper to see of you will really save some dollars and, more important, how long that pay back will take.
I would have never guessed 10 years ago that a Focus would hit the $40k mark. But if you own it for a long time, and maintain it, I’m sure the price will be a reasonable investment.
This is absolutely remarkable. I have been looking for a fuel saver but this is unreal. Kudos to Ford!