Ford Announces First Markets for Focus Electric
While Ford’s first electric car is still more than a year away, the automaker announced today where the first cars will be available.
The Ford EV, which is based off the upcoming 2012 Ford Focus, will launch in:
- Atlanta
- Austin, Texas
- Boston
- Chicago
- Denver
- Detroit
- Houston
- Los Angeles
- San Francisco
- San Diego
- New York City
- Orlando, Fla.
- Phoenix
- Tucson, Ariz.
- Portland, Ore.
- Raleigh/Durham, N.C.
- Richmond, Va.
- Seattle, Wash.
- Washington, D.C.
This list is slightly more comprehensive than the list of launch markets for the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and 2011 Nissan Leaf. Of course, the Ford EV is nearly a year behind its competitors; when the Focus EV goes on sale in late 2011, the Leaf will already be available nationwide and the Volt will have added several new markets.
Ford selected its starter markets based on several criteria, including commuting patterns, hybrid market share, and utility and government commitment to EV infrastructure. Ford will consider making the EV available in more markets after the launch.
The Focus EV will have similar capabilities as the Nissan Leaf. Both will be capable of a 100-mile range on a full charge. Ford has yet to announce any pricing for the electric car.
In addition to the Focus EV, Ford will introduce a Transit Connect electric van, two next-generation lithium-ion battery hybrids and a plug-in hybrid by 2012.
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I wonder if this EV will be eligible for the $7500 tax credit, since Ford's credit on hybrids has already expired :(
Finally, an EV that looks like a normal car. I still have no use for one though.
Is that the EV or will it look like the 2012 Focus?
This is good info about"Ford ".It has commuting patterns, hybrid market share, and utility and government commitment to EV infrastructure that's nice..
Again, no Philadelphia. I'm not in the market for a new car anytime soon but I'm really curious as to why Philly-the 6th largest market in the US-isn't included.
Electronic vehicles are still no match to gasoline and diesel powered cars when you want speed and power driving.
They're favoring warm weather and moderate climate cities, because they know the car's range will drop by 50 percent during real winter weather.
@zack: If you were responding to my comment, thanks, but Boston, Chicago & Detroit easily have more brutal winters than NY & Philly. If you think about weather in Chicago there's almost nothing moderate about it - summer's so hot it'll kill ya and winter's so cold it'll kill ya. heeheehee Though I guess my response still applies if you weren't responding to me.
I said "favoring" warm weather cities. That doesn't mean there aren't a few cold markets, but even the cities you mention don't get as cold as The Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana, Alasks etc. Brutal cold weather kills EV range and all the EV makers are doing the majority of their rollouts in places where they won't get bad word of mouth. I agree Philly is more moderate than Chicago and Detroit and is a huge market that should be getting the Focus. Plus they have great cheesesteak samages.
@Lexus Atlanta
Your comment shows a lack of understanding of electric vehicles. A Tesla Roadster Sport going to 60mph in 3.7 seconds is no match for an internal combustion engine?
@zack: Dig it.
@Zack:
"...the car's range will drop by 50 percent during real winter weather"
Citation?