Earlier this month, Ford announced the official pricing of the 2012 Focus EV. While the car is more a competitor to the market’s other EV—the Nissan Leaf—its $39,995 price tag is exactly the same as the 2012 Chevy Volt. So they’re natural competitors.
Before we get into the review and head-to-head match, note that the $39,995 is after delivery fees but before tax incentives. Both the 2012 Volt and 2012 Focus Electric will be eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit, bringing pricing down to about $32,500.
That being said, the price any one person will pay for either the Volt or the Focus will be the same. So which green, electrically driven car is better? There’s not necessarily a definitive answer to that question, but here is how the two $40,000 green vehicles stack up.
2012 Chevy Volt
Overview
It’s hard to argue against the Chevy Volt being the most versatile green car. It will never be quite as clean or eco-friendly as a pure electric vehicle, thanks to the 2.0-liter gas engine it carries for energy generation. However, it does offer 35 all-electric miles, which is enough for many daily commuters, and a combined fuel economy of 60 mpg. Because of its gas engine, it’s actually able to act like any other car, carrying passengers close to 400 miles on a gallon of gas + full charge. And when you run out of gas, you can simply refuel at a gas station.
In the end, the Volt offers a car that’s cleaner than any other hybrid on the road but much more capable distance-wise than any current-generation electric vehicle. It’s an attractive mix.
Specifications
The four-seat Volt is powered by a 149-horsepower electric motor that also produces 273 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is only used for powering the motor when the battery is depleted and does not drive the wheels. The motor can power the car to speeds of up to 100 mph, according to Chevy’s test information. The Volt’s 16 kWh lithium-ion battery charges in 10 hours via a standard 120 Volt electric outlet or about four hours with the optional 240-volt charger.
The EPA estimates the Chevy Volt will cost $650 to fuel annually when driven on electricity alone and around $1,500 when driven on gas alone. The actual cost will vary based upon how far you drive each day and whether or not you use the gas engine regularly or rely completely on the batteries.
One thing that the price tag does not show is the fact that Chevy made the navigation system and Bose audio system optional on the 2012 Volt in order to drop the price below the $40,000 mark. If you wish to add those options, you’ll spend close to $2,500. The 2011 model had the two systems standard but started at $41,000. The 2012 Volt did add some features, however, including an upgraded keyless entry system and MyLink system, which provides smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth audio streaming and voice controls.
2012 Ford EV
Overview
There’s no question that the Ford Focus, like other fully electric vehicles, is a cleaner, more economical option than hybrids like the Chevy Volt. It uses zero gasoline and produces zero tailpipe emissions. If you are committed to making your commute as clean as possible, an electric vehicle is the best way to do it.
That’s assuming that you have a short commute, though. While electric charging stations are being built around the country, finding a place to charge on a given commute is far from a given. And even if you do find one, the Level 2 charging stations being built now are not powerful enough to provide any significant charging—according to the government, you’ll get about 15 miles of driving with one hour of charging from a Level 2 Station.
Lack of charging leaves you dependent upon the battery’s range. Ford estimates that the Focus Electric can go about 100 miles, but we have a feeling that once the EPA tests it, the number will be closer to the Nissan Leaf’s EPA-rated 73 miles. If you work in town or in a neighboring town and don’t need the car for long commutes, 73 miles might work fine. But if you drive long distances, even occasionally, it may be too limited. Without a gas engine to offer extended range, you simply won’t be able to drive those distances.
Specifications
The five-seat Focus Electric is powered by a 123–hp electric motor and 23 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The car’s top speed is 84 mph.
Unlike the 2012 Volt, the Focus includes a navigation system, as well as a Sony audio system, standard. While it’s difficult to compare audio systems without actually listening to them, the inclusion of a navigation system on the Volt would cost around $2,000. The Focus Electric comes standard with the MyFord Touch system, an infotainment system that includes smartphone connectivity and battery status information.
Ford is advertising the speed of Focus Electric charging as one of its attributes, but this requires the purchase of a $1,500 240-volt system. That system charges the 23 kWh battery in three to four hours.
The EPA has not yet rated the Focus Electric (it will have to do that before the car goes on sale), but it estimates the annual fuel cost of the Nissan Leaf, which has a very similarly sized electric powertrain, at $612. Ford claims its miles-per-gallon equivalent (mpg-e) will be competitive with other electric vehicles, which means it should fall in the 90s.
Conlusion
If the Ford Focus and Chevy Volt had the same type of powertrain, the advantage would be in the Focus’ corner. Unlike the Volt, which lost standard navigation to meet the same price point, the Focus comes complete with a navigation system. It also seats five to the Volt’s four, a factor that makes it more family friendly.
Of course, the two powertrains are not equal. As such, it’s a little surprising Ford priced the Focus so high. Chevy announced 2012 Volt pricing back in the summer, but you’d have thought that Ford announced first. When it comes to range and versatility, the Focus Electric simply cannot compete with a plug-in hybrid like the Volt. Four hundred to 100 miles isn’t a competition; it’s a landslide.
If Ford really wanted the Focus Electric to be competitive, it should have priced it closer to the $36,000 2012 Nissan Leaf, which is a pure EV very similar to the Focus. The Focus Electric just doesn’t offer the same experience as a car with a gas engine generator.
If you have a short, steady commute and don’t mind trading the ability to take longer trips in your car for the cleanest-driving option on the market, the Focus Electric is certainly worth a look. Before buying, compare it to the Nissan Leaf, which is a few thousand dollars cheaper, but offers a similar driving experience.
For a car that has the driving versatility and range of a gasoline car with class-leading cleanliness and efficiency, the Chevy Volt is the best option available.
