2012 Ford Focus - Review

John Voelcker

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John is Senior Editor for High Gear Media. In addition to news coverage and new car reviews, John creates and oversees all editorial for High Gear's... More

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2 19,968 views April 21, 2009

Not surprisingly, the car felt heavy, carrying several hundred pounds of battery pack under the rear seat and at the front of the trunk. But that weight sat fairly low, and the Focus EV's acceleration felt fine. It's no Tesla Roadster, but it moves just fine.

In 20 minutes of driving, we only two problems. First, the battery-charge meter was stuck on full. Second, the car emitted a noticeable humming vibration when stopped with the brake pedal depressed.

Ford Focus EV - kill switch

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Indeed, only the bright-red kill switch (directly under the driver's right elbow, ahem) gave away the car's prototype status.

The instruments were nicely adapted, with an Energy Usage dial replacing the tachometer on the left, a standard speedo on the right, and a smaller charge meter and coolant temperature gauge between them.

Ford Focus EV - instrument panel

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Ford had helpfully displayed a body shell with the electric components highlighted, showing the battery packs in the trunk and under the rear seat, where the gas tank would sit otherwise.

Ford Focus EV - trunk mounted battery packs

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Ford Focus EV - battery pack under rear seat

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Ford says the car will achieve roughly 100 miles on an overnight charge. You'll need 220-Volt power--the same kind used by electric stoves and clothes dryers--to do "overnight" in six hours, though. Standard 110-Volt household current will require 12 hours to recharge a fully depleted battery pack.

The Focus EV will actually be Ford's second all-electric vehicle; it plans to offer an electric version of its Transit Connect small van sometime next year.