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Title: Ford Unveils Gas-Free Ford Focus Electric
Source:
PCMAG
URL Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2375430,00.asp
Published: Jan 7, 2011
Author: PCMAG
Post Date: 2011-01-07 19:39:31 by Brian S
Keywords: None
Views: 3564
Comments: 14
LAS VEGAS - Ford on Friday unveiled the Ford Focus Electric, the company's first-ever all-electric passenger car. Ford CEO Alan Mullaly unveiled the new car during a keynote presentation here at the Consumer Electronics Show. He said the Ford Focus Electric is "a great step forward in electrification." The zero-CO2-emissions, gasoline-free Ford Focus Electric will be available later this year and is one of five new electrified vehicles Ford will deliver by 2013 in North America and Europe. It can fully charge in three to four hours using an at-home, wall-mounted 240-volt charge station. Ford has partnered with Best Buy and its Geek Squad for charging station purchases and installation. Ford is also teaming up with Microsoft to offer value charging, which will allow users to charge their cars at the cheapest utility rates. The Focus Electric's onboard charger converts AC power from the electric grid to DC power to charge the car's liquid-cooled/heated battery pack. To help drivers get used to an all-electric car, the Focus Electric will have a special version of MyFord Touch as well as MyFord Mobile, a new smartphone app that will let users keep track of their Focus Electric, change charge settings, find charging stations, and more. When you power up the app, it will tell you where your car is, and its status, current charge level, and how long it will take to get to a full charge. Ford can send alerts – if charging is interrupted or if you forget to plug in, for example. Ford will extend its existing partnership with Mapquest to provide Focus Electric drivers with access to charging station information. Ford acknowledged that charging stations are currently few and far between – about 1,800 nationwide, many of which are in California. But during the next 18 months, there will be 12,000 public charging stations added throughout the country, Ford said. The car has a maximum speed of 84 mph. To help preserve battery power as much as possible, the car's dashboard will keep you updated as to how you're driving and how you might be able to improve battery life by changing up your driving style (ie: stop slamming on those brakes). Mullaly said the Focus Electric transforms the car "from something we use into something we experience." Just like the iPhone is more than a phone and the PlayStation is more than a gaming console, the Focus Electric is more than a car, he said. The Focus Electric will have many of the same features as other Focus vehicles, including Sync with 911 assist, vehicle health report and traffic directions and information, audio from Sony, in-car Wi-Fi, and push button start. On the eco-friendly side, the car's seats are made from 100 percent recycled material, and there is even blue jean material used as part of the installation. The car is a five-door hatchback similar to other Focus models.
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#1. To: Brian S (#0)
Ooh, goody! ANOTHER car that nobody will buy! In the end, the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it. It was inevitable that they should make that claim sooner or later: the logic of their position demanded it. ... The heresy of heresies was common sense. http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=16281&Disp=9#C9 SUMMARY: Socialists refuse to accept reality.
Hey man, you need to get with the times: Teslsa Roadster Fuel cells are still the future, not plug-in electrics. Mercedes, GM and most other car companies are investing heavily in fuel cell technology. But the roadster proves that electric cars can be more than glorified golf carts.
When it sells at a reasonable price, I'll be interested.
In the end, the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it. It was inevitable that they should make that claim sooner or later: the logic of their position demanded it. ... The heresy of heresies was common sense. http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=16281&Disp=9#C9 SUMMARY: Socialists refuse to accept reality.
Tesla is coming out with Sedan late this year that will be competitively priced with the BMW 5 series and the Mercedes C class. 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds. 300 miles on a charge. Electric cars are also beating gas-guzzlers at the drag strip. Electric cars give instant torque at any speed, where gasoline powered cars have to build up their torque.
It would seem engineering isn't your forte'. As to having a car that competes with the 5-series Bimmer, let's just say I got bored with my sports-car collection, sold them off, paid off my bills, and now drive a 2000 Merc Grand Marquis, a clone to the one below: I view a car as an appliance, a tool. I bought the Merc because I hate FOMOCO products, and I hate the color. But it has low miles, it's very comfortable for my commute, and it's cheaper to drive and maintain, than the LS-powered cars I had. I bought it for cash, and got a VERY good deal... Since I don't like the car, but it serves my purposes, I run it... and I'll never spend a dime on it beyond normal maintenance issues. OTOH, I'm building a '68 Camaro, that will run a 500HP 454, with either a TKO- 500 or a T-56 trans. I'm building it as a retro 70's "disco" style, because I'm sick of the cars with 20" rims (with rubber-bands for tires), in the "Pro- touring" style. In this case, the car is strictly a toy where I'm enjoying the build process. But once the car is done, I'll get bored quickly with it, and then sell it for a profit. In this case, the Camaro represents a source of entertainment, and I'll get my money back out of it. Actually building the car, is far more enjoyable than driving it...
In the end, the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it. It was inevitable that they should make that claim sooner or later: the logic of their position demanded it. ... The heresy of heresies was common sense. http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=16281&Disp=9#C9 SUMMARY: Socialists refuse to accept reality.
It would seem engineering isn't your forte'. Yes it is my forte and what I said about torque is exactly true.
Very cool.
You made a flawed statement... Basic motor theory: when does an electric motor exert maximum torque? And mechanical theory: what is the purpose of a transmission? Further, overall engineering theory: why is it, that modern, fuel-efficient (gasoline) cars have an overall net efficiency that exceeds that of electric cars? I would suggest further research into these points, before you answer. Your position is not tenable.
In the end, the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it. It was inevitable that they should make that claim sooner or later: the logic of their position demanded it. ... The heresy of heresies was common sense. http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=16281&Disp=9#C9 Inescapable conclusion? Socialists are unable to accept reality. I.e., they're INSANE.
I don't know... it's more to keep me sane, given the demands of my studies, and keep me from getting ulcers due to my work... 15,000 employees in my company- half of them engineers- and I'm trying to drag them out of a 30-year rut in thinking, before they blow hundreds of millions of dollars on a boon-doggle of a project... I told my bosses that they need to give me a pay-raise, as my alcohol tab is getting expensive... LOL.
In the end, the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it. It was inevitable that they should make that claim sooner or later: the logic of their position demanded it. ... The heresy of heresies was common sense. http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=16281&Disp=9#C9 Inescapable conclusion? Socialists are unable to accept reality. I.e., they're INSANE.
what is the purpose of a transmission? To make sure the engine is revving in its maximum torque zone at just about any speed. Spin it too slow, though, and the engine stalls. Tesla has a single speed transmission. why is it, that modern, fuel-efficient (gasoline) cars have an overall net efficiency that exceeds that of electric cars? Your question asserts a proposition that is incorrect.
Consider electric power generation from the power plant, transmission and distribution losses, localized parasitic losses (i-squared-r), etc, all of which diminish the overall efficiency of electric cars. [Only by measuring from the charger to the battery, can the point be made the EV technology is more efficient...] While my Camaro wouldn't be a valid comparison, a modern fuel-injected car suffers none of those losses. BTW, I see you neglected to answer the first question, and made a nice try to twist the second question, to divert from the obvious points. But thanks for proving my point. I'm done with this thread.
In the end, the Party would announce that two and two made five, and you would have to believe it. It was inevitable that they should make that claim sooner or later: the logic of their position demanded it. ... The heresy of heresies was common sense. http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=16281&Disp=9#C9 Inescapable conclusion? Socialists are unable to accept reality. I.e., they're INSANE.
Most of America's electricity is generated by coal. Coal is dirt cheap. On the other hand, half of our oil has to be shipped for other countries -- some of which are halfway around the world.
I've done no such thing.
-- George Orwell, 1984 --
ME: THERE IS NO MORE MONEY.
GO65: There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more.
#2. To: Capitalist Eric (#1)
(Edited)
ANOTHER car that nobody will buy!
Plug-in Electric
0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds (similar to Ferrari F430, Porsche Carrera S, BMW M5)
Full torque at any speed
300 miles on a charge
"It's very important to remember the law is not simply what powerful people would want others to believe it is." -- Julian Assange
#3. To: jwpegler (#2)
-- George Orwell, 1984 --
ME: THERE IS NO MORE MONEY.
GO65: There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more.
#4. To: Capitalist Eric (#3)
(Edited)
"It's very important to remember the law is not simply what powerful people would want others to believe it is." -- Julian Assange
#5. To: jwpegler (#4)
Electric cars give instant torque at any speed, where gasoline powered cars have to build up their torque.
-- George Orwell, 1984 --
ME: THERE IS NO MORE MONEY.
GO65: There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more.
#6. To: Capitalist Eric (#5)
"It's very important to remember the law is not simply what powerful people would want others to believe it is." -- Julian Assange
#7. To: Capitalist Eric (#5)
I'm building a '68 Camaro, that will run a 500HP 454, with either a TKO- 500 or a T-56 trans
"It's very important to remember the law is not simply what powerful people would want others to believe it is." -- Julian Assange
#8. To: jwpegler (#6)
(Edited)
Yes it is my forte and what I said about torque is exactly true.
-- George Orwell, 1984 --
ME: THERE IS NO MORE MONEY.
GO65: There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more.
#9. To: jwpegler (#7)
Very cool.
-- George Orwell, 1984 --
ME: THERE IS NO MORE MONEY.
GO65: There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more.
#10. To: Capitalist Eric (#8)
(Edited)
"It's very important to remember the law is not simply what powerful people would want others to believe it is." -- Julian Assange
#11. To: jwpegler (#10)
Your question asserts a proposition that is incorrect.
-- George Orwell, 1984 --
ME: THERE IS NO MORE MONEY.
GO65: There will be no more money when the U.S. dollar has no value, until that time we can keep printing more.
#12. To: Capitalist Eric (#11)
(Edited)
Consider electric power generation from the power plant, transmission and distribution losses, localized parasitic losses (i-squared-r), etc, all of which diminish the overall efficiency of electric cars. [Only by measuring from the charger to the battery, can the point be made the EV technology is more efficient...]
"It's very important to remember the law is not simply what powerful people would want others to believe it is." -- Julian Assange
#13. To: Capitalist Eric (#11)
But thanks for proving my point.
"It's very important to remember the law is not simply what powerful people would want others to believe it is." -- Julian Assange
#14. To: Capitalist Eric (#11)
"It's very important to remember the law is not simply what powerful people would want others to believe it is." -- Julian Assange
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