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2015 Ford Focus Electric (pictures)

Ford's quiet and clean fully-electric Focus variant ages gracefully into the 2015 model year.

Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Antuan Goodwin
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1 of 32 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2015 Ford Focus Electric

Ford's quiet and clean fully-electric Focus variant ages gracefully into the 2015 model year.

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2 of 32 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2015 Ford Focus Electric

The circular charging port is located on the front fender.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

Under the hood (and under this massive engine cover) is the 107 kW electric motor.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The Focus Electric has a transmission with only one speed and a rear end with no tailpipe.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

With 184 pound-feet of torque on tap, the Electric feels pretty zippy off of the line.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

With a full battery, the driver can expect about 76 miles of silent motoring before stopping to recharge.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

In previous tests, we found the Focus felt fatigued when asked to climb steep hills.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

Energy is stored in a 23 kWh lithium ion battery pack
located under and behind the back seats.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

Plug into a 240V charging station and the battery will refill in about 3-4 hours.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The Focus' interior is nearly identical to the gasoline model.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

Both digital and analog, the SmartGauge instrument cluster puts a lot of range and driving habit information in front of the driver.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The web-connected MyFord Touch infotainment system allows the driver to schedule and delay the EV's charging to match less expensive, off-peak utility hours.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

Low speed city miles are where the electric car operates most efficiently.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

Like most EVs that I've tested, the Focus Electric's efficiency drops as you go faster. For best results, keep it at the speed limit.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

17-inch wheels shod in low-rolling resistance tires are standard.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The Focus Electric is significantly heavier than the gasoline model, but the torque masks the difference.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

Making extensive use of the regenerative braking will not only extend your range, but will also extend the life of the friction brakes.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The small hatchback form factor seems, to me, like an ideal configuration for city dwellers.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The battery pack intrudes into the rear hatchback area, which reduces the amount of room for cargo.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

Beneath a false floor, you'll find the fix-a-flat kit and the standard wall-charging cable.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

A 110V wall outlet should only be used as a last resort. With this charging cable, filling the battery takes about 20 hours.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The EPA reckons that the Focus Electric costs about $900 less than the gasoline model to operate per year.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The Kinetic design of the Focus looks futuristic, but doesn't scream, "Look at me, I'm an EV!"

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The one-size fits all options list means that the Focus Electric isn't available with any advanced driver aid features, such as blind spot monitoring or automatic parking.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

A rear view camera is standard and about the extent of the driver aid technology.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

Our model featured one of the only options available, a leather seating package.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The transmission features two positions. D is the standard drive mode and L amps up the regenerative braking, which can recapture more energy in hilly areas.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

MyFord Touch still uses the "four corners" organization that makes it easy to jump between navigation, audio, and climate controls.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The navigation system is easy to understand and features an EcoRoutes path-finding algorithm that routes trips to maximize the battery's range.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

Bluetooth is standard with profiles for audio streaming, hands-free calling, and text message access.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

The navigation system uses maps that are stored on an SD card in the center console. Here, you'll also find the USB and AV inputs.

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2015 Ford Focus Electric

For 2015, the Electric receives a price drop of about $6,000 to better compete with new models from Fiat and Kia.

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