Lithium
Well-known member
To Those considering a switch to EV: MY PSA;
So I leased a Focus Electric in the beginning of February 2014, 2014 model with Leather/power seat in Silver. I'm 13 months in and almost at 14K miles. I love the car, first and foremost, I'm very happy with my decision.
My observations:
This morning it was 5f in NY, Hamptons, and the car offered me 50 miles with the heat on (66-68f), under my usual driving conditions. At the peak in the summer of 2014, I saw a high range estimate of 114 miles.
This is the effective operating range of the current car across all seasons. I didn't realize this when leasing the car that the swing would be that significant. EPA sticker should be adjusted from the stated 78 miles. I know that it's an average but I think that between highway and city driving in most ICE cars the range doesn't vary as widely as this. This is important to those considering a commuting car that on the worse winter day, Northern climates, your round trip without access to charging is 50 miles!
The car is well built and has been 100% reliable for me. haters don't comment. I know, I've read your stories. My condolences to you.
The fit and finish is ok. The outside panel gaps and alignment is that of a mass market economy car. The interior has stood up well with hot and cold weather, snow and ice, sand from the beach, and a 1 year old Australian Shepherd who rides in it everyday and 2 single digit kids.
The performance of the car doesn't rival my Audi S4 Avant which it replaced. Having owned an outrageous S car sleeper rocket, I can tell you the Focus EV is a blast to drive. the 0-20mph is subdued by the traction of the low rolling resistance tires and traction control. I believe the car also doesn't give you max torque/amps/watts whatever you call it from 0-20mph or you'll just spin your tires. 20-60mph is a blast. EV torque gives you a big smile on your face as you are pressed back in your seat and zip down the road in near silence. I had the big V8 with racing exhaust on the Audi S4. I don't miss it.
The car does what I need 97% of the time of my yearly driving. I have a 2013 Passat 3.6 SEL when we go to NYC or upstate packed with Kids, Dog and luggage.
I use the car with little thought to driving style or economy and go at it like I would with any other vehicle. Only once did I drive to negative 1 1/2 miles below the range available and it was exciting to say the least. Didn't have to push it though.
Planning your trip does come in to play every once in a while and very, very, rarely has it stopped me from doing a spur of the moment thing. 240V 30amps EVSE at home is critical to the freedom to operate.
I think Fast Charging DC/DC would free up the car to 99% of my considered needs.
I'm 6'7" and I fit. Barely. Luckily it's a car I don't spend hours upon hours of continuous driving in. A nod to tall people, forget the Nissan Leaf and the Honda Fit, you won't fit. The battery in the truck has reared it's ugly head only a few times when I folded the seats down and you lose the flat floor. I can't fit in the car with the rear bench pulled up and seat backs down for the optimal fold. That's reserved to drivers of smaller stature than I. I still regularly put RC planes of 55 inch wingspans in the car.
Nod to Clipper Creek - HCS-40 is doing a great job. Figure out a cheap high AMP AC or DC fast charger and be ready for the next gen of 200+ mile cars to charge from home.
Closing statement: The car is definitely a compromise. Technically it works. It serves a niche, that if appropriate for you, you should give it serious consideration. Ford and the others did their homework on the daily use of such a car and the statistics of use and purpose hold true, for me at least.
I leased because it was a compromise. It's a great second car for my lifestyle. Some have it as primary. I think you could have it as primary 97% of the time and Enterprise-rent-a-car on the other 3% if you fit in the statistical calculation that this car is. I hope to see a 200+ mile EV, that I fit in, for when the lease is up in Feb 2017. Fingers crossed because I for one, after driving ICE for 26 years, and 1 year of EV driving am not looking back.
H
So I leased a Focus Electric in the beginning of February 2014, 2014 model with Leather/power seat in Silver. I'm 13 months in and almost at 14K miles. I love the car, first and foremost, I'm very happy with my decision.
My observations:
This morning it was 5f in NY, Hamptons, and the car offered me 50 miles with the heat on (66-68f), under my usual driving conditions. At the peak in the summer of 2014, I saw a high range estimate of 114 miles.
This is the effective operating range of the current car across all seasons. I didn't realize this when leasing the car that the swing would be that significant. EPA sticker should be adjusted from the stated 78 miles. I know that it's an average but I think that between highway and city driving in most ICE cars the range doesn't vary as widely as this. This is important to those considering a commuting car that on the worse winter day, Northern climates, your round trip without access to charging is 50 miles!
The car is well built and has been 100% reliable for me. haters don't comment. I know, I've read your stories. My condolences to you.
The fit and finish is ok. The outside panel gaps and alignment is that of a mass market economy car. The interior has stood up well with hot and cold weather, snow and ice, sand from the beach, and a 1 year old Australian Shepherd who rides in it everyday and 2 single digit kids.
The performance of the car doesn't rival my Audi S4 Avant which it replaced. Having owned an outrageous S car sleeper rocket, I can tell you the Focus EV is a blast to drive. the 0-20mph is subdued by the traction of the low rolling resistance tires and traction control. I believe the car also doesn't give you max torque/amps/watts whatever you call it from 0-20mph or you'll just spin your tires. 20-60mph is a blast. EV torque gives you a big smile on your face as you are pressed back in your seat and zip down the road in near silence. I had the big V8 with racing exhaust on the Audi S4. I don't miss it.
The car does what I need 97% of the time of my yearly driving. I have a 2013 Passat 3.6 SEL when we go to NYC or upstate packed with Kids, Dog and luggage.
I use the car with little thought to driving style or economy and go at it like I would with any other vehicle. Only once did I drive to negative 1 1/2 miles below the range available and it was exciting to say the least. Didn't have to push it though.
Planning your trip does come in to play every once in a while and very, very, rarely has it stopped me from doing a spur of the moment thing. 240V 30amps EVSE at home is critical to the freedom to operate.
I think Fast Charging DC/DC would free up the car to 99% of my considered needs.
I'm 6'7" and I fit. Barely. Luckily it's a car I don't spend hours upon hours of continuous driving in. A nod to tall people, forget the Nissan Leaf and the Honda Fit, you won't fit. The battery in the truck has reared it's ugly head only a few times when I folded the seats down and you lose the flat floor. I can't fit in the car with the rear bench pulled up and seat backs down for the optimal fold. That's reserved to drivers of smaller stature than I. I still regularly put RC planes of 55 inch wingspans in the car.
Nod to Clipper Creek - HCS-40 is doing a great job. Figure out a cheap high AMP AC or DC fast charger and be ready for the next gen of 200+ mile cars to charge from home.
Closing statement: The car is definitely a compromise. Technically it works. It serves a niche, that if appropriate for you, you should give it serious consideration. Ford and the others did their homework on the daily use of such a car and the statistics of use and purpose hold true, for me at least.
I leased because it was a compromise. It's a great second car for my lifestyle. Some have it as primary. I think you could have it as primary 97% of the time and Enterprise-rent-a-car on the other 3% if you fit in the statistical calculation that this car is. I hope to see a 200+ mile EV, that I fit in, for when the lease is up in Feb 2017. Fingers crossed because I for one, after driving ICE for 26 years, and 1 year of EV driving am not looking back.
H