Ford’s first-ever all-electric car has been unveiled as the Focus Electric.
However, it seems the new car’s greater purpose is to show off Ford’s new technologies. The Focus Electric’s cabin is fitted with an assortment of gadgets to guide drivers, coach drivers on more efficient techniques and highlight the performance of the car.
Ford acknowledges there aren’t too many recharging stations in public areas and concedes that how drivers plan their trips are a key part of operating an electric vehicle.
John Schneider, Ford’s chief engineer for HMI, Driver Controls and Infotainment, said: “Consumers interested in an electric vehicle are more focused on reducing the impact their driving has on the environment.
“Rather than minimise the realities of battery range and the need for more conscious trip planning in an electric vehicle, we’ve made it a core part of the ownership experience, giving owners the tools to actively manage how they can drive their car based on where they need to go.”
Ford has therefore designed the Focus Electric’s driver interface to coach drivers on more efficient driving so they (hopefully) won’t worry about the battery charge levels.
Ford Electric owners are able to access a special version of MyFord Touch with new levels of vehicle information personalisation that uses two 4.2-inch full colour LCD screens to display battery levels, distance to a charge point and expected range.
The Ford Focus Electric debuts in North America later in 2011, before going on sale in Europe in 2012.
However, it seems the new car’s greater purpose is to show off Ford’s new technologies. The Focus Electric’s cabin is fitted with an assortment of gadgets to guide drivers, coach drivers on more efficient techniques and highlight the performance of the car.
Ford acknowledges there aren’t too many recharging stations in public areas and concedes that how drivers plan their trips are a key part of operating an electric vehicle.
John Schneider, Ford’s chief engineer for HMI, Driver Controls and Infotainment, said: “Consumers interested in an electric vehicle are more focused on reducing the impact their driving has on the environment.
“Rather than minimise the realities of battery range and the need for more conscious trip planning in an electric vehicle, we’ve made it a core part of the ownership experience, giving owners the tools to actively manage how they can drive their car based on where they need to go.”
Ford has therefore designed the Focus Electric’s driver interface to coach drivers on more efficient driving so they (hopefully) won’t worry about the battery charge levels.
Ford Electric owners are able to access a special version of MyFord Touch with new levels of vehicle information personalisation that uses two 4.2-inch full colour LCD screens to display battery levels, distance to a charge point and expected range.
The Ford Focus Electric debuts in North America later in 2011, before going on sale in Europe in 2012.