SOUNDBITES: FOCUS ELECTRIC
Ford Motor Company unveiled today its all-new Focus Electric – the company’s first-ever all-electric passenger car. The zero-CO2-emissions, gasoline-free version of Ford’s popular small car is the flagship of the company’s growing fleet of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles coming to North America and Europe by 2013. Sharif Marakby, (Mah-rock-bee) Director of Electrification Programs and Engineering says Focus Electric's biggest advantae over other EV's is its short charging time.
Click on 
to hear audio. Use right mouse click to download.
| Cut #1: |
"We're going to have an advantage with a larger charger system, where the customer can charge a fully depleted battery in less than 4 hours, between 3 to 4 hours. We think that is a big advantage for customers as we have range limitation with electric vehicles to be able to charge it quick and go. We're going to have that advantage over other EV's." :21 sec. |
||
According to Marakby, this is not the only advantage the Focus Electric has over other EV's. |
|||
| Cut #2: |
"The other thing we have is because we're using the technology on existing Focus, with premium features that come with that Focus we kept all the options that the customers can get. They can get SYNC technology, they can get premium audio systems, they can get My Ford Touch technology, they've can get a lot of the electronics and the connectivity features, that you get." |
||
Drivers will also receive feedback about their driving style; like how far they have to go on the current battery charge, to reduce driver anxiety levels. |
|||
| Cut #3: |
"We'll actually be able to provide real time information that the customer can change the behavior of how they're driving to ensure that they can get to their destination or a charge point." :10 sec. |
||
Marakby says the all-electric powertrain and single-speed transmission provides immediate responsiveness and smooth acceleration when the driver pushes down the accelerator. |
|||
| Cut #4: |
"We actually have a coaching screen in the Nav system that will actually tell the customer, if you want to improve your range this is what you can do. So for example reducing accessories turning off their AC, braking coach, that tells them as you're braking you're recapturing energy, that turns into range. So we're actually putting energy in the battery." :18 sec. |
||
Focus Electric will be powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery system engineered by Ford in cooperation with supplier LG Chem. The battery system utilizies heated and cooled liquid to help maximize batter life and fuel-free driving range. |
|||
| Cut #5: |
"The Focus Electric will be launching late in 2011 and will be ramping up throughout 2012." |
||
|
The New Focus Electric offers value charging, powered by Microsoft, to help owners in the U.S. charge their vehicles at the cheapest utility rates, lowering cost of ownership. |
|||