Ford Focus Electric Hatchback Going After Its Competitors in 2017

In attempt to compete with the Nisan Leaf and the Chevrolet Bolt in the world of electric vehicles, Ford is promising the 2017 Focus to have 100 miles of range while keeping its weight and cost to a minimum. The EPA has yet to confirm the new update; however, the news was announced at a Ford media presentation in Dearborn, Michigan and has already spread to places as small as West Valley City, Utah and elsewhere.

The Original

The original Ford Focus Electric Hatchback was released back in 2012 with a much less competitive range of only 76 miles. Its biggest competitor at the time and currently — the Nissan Leaf — boasted 73 miles of range. Later in 2013, Nissan increased the range to 84 miles and then to 107 miles of range for this year’s model. Ford is responding to the competition with its 2017 model on the rise. While it will still offer 7 miles of range less than its competitor, it plans to undergo many other changes to set it above other electric vehicles.

The New

The new Ford Focus Electric Hatchback will contain a smaller battery pack, but with a DC fast-charging system that will allow it to recharge to 80 percent of its overall battery capacity in the short amount of time of 30 minutes at charging stations in Utah and elsewhere. The increased range, however, is presumably coming from lithium-ion cells with much greater energy density that will allow the vehicle to travel farther at a less expensive cost to the manufacturer. 

The Improved

With its new fast-charging system and extended range, the 2017 Ford Focus — which was rather uncompetitive in the past — can now give its competitors a run for their money, and Ford doesn’t plan to stop there. During the presentation, the company also announced that it will be investing in an additional $4.5 billion in electric vehicles by 2020 with the goal of “electrifying” more than 40 percent of Ford’s global nameplates in Utah and around the world.  

Alyssa Koenig is an automotive writer reporter for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Henry Day Ford. Follow on Twitter