Ford's new Electric Vehicle: First Details Revealed

Ford battery electric vehicles

Full-electric vehicle will debut in 2012

By Christopher Jackson
February 2, 2009 9:54 PM
Filed Under: American, Electric Vehicle, Ford, Rumours

An article in the Detroit News about Ford's ongoing electric vehicle program has let a few facts slip out about the upcoming "battery electric vehicle" (BEV) that Ford says it plans to bring to market by 2012.

Developed in conjunction with the plug-in Escape Hybrid that's due to debut a year before it, the BEV will be based on the new global Ford Focus platform which debuts in 2010, and will be a fully electric vehicle, with no gasoline engine component. Ford is aiming for the vehicle to have a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge. "Project M," as it has been internally dubbed, is a joint venture between Ford and Magna International, Inc.

Critics are already wondering if a 100-mile range will be enough for the average commuter. The upside to Ford's Focus-based BEV is reduced cost; with less complexity than a hybrid and most of the construction sourced from a single supplier - Magna. Ford's BEV will likely cost much less than the Chevrolet Volt, whose starting price has been estimated in the $40,000 range.

Source: Detroit News

email print digg facebook fark reddit delicious myspace

Tags: 2010 Ford Focus, Magna, Ford Electric Vehicle

Comments

genie

February 3, 2009 1:29 AM

So just to clarify, everyone is lording the Volt as the best thing since free porn, and it does 40miles on a charge, yet a EV Ford Focus (basically) which will be cheaper and can do 100 miles on a charge, is criticised? That makes sense.

Homerlovesbeer

February 3, 2009 7:49 AM

Genie;

1: the Volt also has a petrol motor that allows for a far greater range if required and; 2: It actually looks good and excites people unlike Fords effort which hardly raises the dead.

WildMaverick1200

February 3, 2009 3:12 AM

When designing these eco friendly cars, why do manufactures don't seem to give a sh1t about the appareance?? Why they necessarily have to be an eyesore?? I mean, people would have an excuse to buy them if they were great looking, but with that horrible shape, who's gonna buy that?

mustang5507

February 3, 2009 5:29 AM

That's the current US Ford Focus....of which they've moved nearly a couple hundred thousand. btw, please proofread before posting. Thanks!

WildMaverick1200

February 4, 2009 1:48 AM

Sorry mustang5507, kinda forgot that USA gets the eyesore edition, and the rest of the world gets the sexy edition. I don't know what you think, but the sexy focus definitely catches more attention than the eyesore. With the crisis and all that, it would be better not to use the eyesore if people are supposed to buy them.

trekkerbin

February 3, 2009 6:00 AM

Wow, pure electric car, that is courageous. I think that FORD must focus on the battery reliability, as well as the battery deterioration rate. These must be first concerns to the buyers.