Ask any owner of a Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt, and they'll tell you that going green comes at a cost – not necessarily at the electric outlet, but at the dealership.
Same goes for Ford's foray into the electric-car market, the all-new 2012 Focus EV that carries an MSRP of $39,200 plus a $795 delivery and handling fee* that brings the total to $39,975. That's more than double the cost of the entry-level Focus SE 5-door hatchback.
However, you may be able to bring the price down to $32,475 as the Focus EV is eligible for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500.
Not including the tax break, the Nissan Leaf starts at $36,050 and the Chevrolet Volt from $41,000.
The plug-in Focus Electric is offered in a single trim level with these standard features:MyFord Touch with 8-inch touchscreen; two driver-configurable 4.2-inch color LCD displays in cluster; MyFord Mobile App (for remotely monitoring and scheduling battery charging with owners’ smartphone as well as remote start); HID Headlamps; 17-inch alloy wheels, rear Camera with Rear Parking Sensor; Push-Button Start; MyKey; voice-activated Navigation System; Particulate Air Filter; hands-free SYNC Bluetooth telephone connectivity with Traffic, Direction and Information Services; electronic traction control; Sony-Branded audio with nine speakers; SIRIUS Satellite Radio and HD Radio.
Ford said that the only options available are the leather seats and two paint colors.The zero-emissions Focus is equipped with an electric motor capable of 123HP and 181 lb-ft of torque, and a single-speed transmission that drives the front wheels. It can reach speeds of up to 84 mph (136km/h) while Ford says that the battery can be recharged in a little over three hours using a 240-volt charging station.
The company did not say how long it would take to charge the batteries with the standard 120-volt convenience cord that comes with the vehicle nor what the driving range is.
The Detroit-based automaker will roll out the Focus Electric in California and the New York/New Jersey regions but will expand availability to the remaining launch markets in spring of 2012.
The 19 launch markets include: Atlanta, Austin and Houston, Texas; Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New York, Orlando, Fla., Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz.; Portland, Ore.; Raleigh Durham, N.C.; Richmond, Va., Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
Those of you interested can place their orders for the car online starting from today.
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