Ford Focus Electric pictures – a plug-in EV that charges twice as fast as the Chevy Volt

By Jeffrey Van Camp November 17, 2011

Today, Ford is holding an event in New York City to show off its eco-friendly vehicle lineup and the centerpiece of the show is the new Ford Focus Electric. According to Ford, the new Focus has a better mile-per-gallon equivalent than the Chevrolet Volt and will be competitive with any other vehicle. As a completely gas-less, electric plug-in car, the Focus Electric has benefits and limitations. It comes with a charge inverter that can charge the car twice as fast as any other electric vehicle we’ve seen. Using the charging station, you can charge the car in 3-4 hours. More specifically, it can charge up to 6.6 Kilowatts per hour. The lithium ion battery pack holds about 23 Kilowatts of power, which should get you about 100 miles on a charge.

Most of the high-end Ford features come standard on the Electric due to its high price (about $40,000, though there’s a $7,500 government rebate for buying an electric car). MyFord Touch with Microsoft Sync, fancy seats made of recycled pop bottles, and a cool MyFord Mobile app that lets you monitor your charging and car from anywhere, are all included. Check out our hands-on video of the MyFord Mobile app.

The Focus Electric will hit shelves before the end of the year (sounds like December) and is the first of five Ford electric vehicles coming by 2013.

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Jeffrey Van Camp

Former Digital Trends Contributor

As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…

Cars

Rivian R2 vs Hyundai Ioniq 5: Should you wait for the Rivian R2?

Rivian R2

Rivian has taken the wraps off of the Rivian R2, an electric SUV that's similar to the much-loved R1S, but smaller and, crucially, cheaper. But the R2 goes up against some serious competition. The likes of Hyundai have been building solid EVs for some time now -- including the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The R2 and the Ioniq 5 each make a compelling case for themselves, and they're likely to end up being similarly priced if the Ioniq 5 doesn't get much cheaper and the R2 does end up being sold at $45,000. To be fair, the cars are pretty different -- the R2 is more of an SUV, while the Ioniq 5 is much more crossover-sized. But because of their similar price, you might be deciding between the two. How do they compare? We put the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 head-to-head.
Design
The differences between the Rivian R2 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 are perhaps no more apparent than when it comes to design.

Cars

The 6 best remote car starters in 2024

Best car remote starters

While some modern vehicles come standard with remote start features, it's still relatively uncommon. That's a shame because if you live somewhere where cold weather, snow, and ice are frequent concerns, a remote car starter is one of the best auto accessories you can have. If you're not familiar with them, a remote car starter works similarly to a key fob, except it will actually start your car from a distance instead of just unlocking the doors or trunk. That means you can start your car from the warm comfort of your home or office before venturing out. If you live somewhere hot, you can even start your car and let the AC run for a little bit. You'll never enter a freezing cold or scorching hot vehicle again.

The best remote car starters have long ranges, replaceable batteries, and other handy features — but how do you know which is best for you? We’ve compiled a list of the best car starters in a range of prices and features. Keep in mind that while you can install some yourself, some will require a professional.
The best remote car starters in 2024

Cars

The best portable jump starters for cars in 2024

The Clore Jump-N-Carry JNC660 portable jump starter connected to a truck battery.

Any time you hit the road, whether you're taking a short or long trip, it's a good idea to have backups handy. A spare or backup tire, some anti-freeze, windshield wash fluid, a road hazard kit, and, last but not least, one of the best portable tire inflators and a portable jump starter. You never know when cold weather, inadvertently leaving the dome light on, or plain old Father Time can curse you with a dead battery. Ensure you have one of the best portable jump starters that can save you in a jam, kickstarting your car even when there isn't anyone around to jump the battery. Naturally, that's why we’ve rounded up what we feel are the best portable jump starters for 2024.
The best portable jump starters in 2024

Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter overall.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter runner-up.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter and tire inflator combo.
Buy the if you want another name-brand option.
Buy the if you want the best portable jump starter for cheap.