The Ford Story: Ford Focus Electric Gets Powered Up

The Ford Focus Electric is powering up of its U.S. introduction. The supplier for one of the primary components in this electric vehicle was announced: Compact Power, Inc. (CPI), a subsidiary of LG Chem, will build the lithium-ion battery packs.

The Focus Electric battery packs will leverage CPI and parent company LG Chem’s deep expertise in advanced flat format lithium-ion cells and advanced liquid-cooled modules and battery management systems.

“CPI is an emerging leader in the lithium-ion battery field and we are pleased to have them as a strategic supplier as we prepare to bring the Ford Focus Electric to market,” said Sherif Marakby, Ford Director of Sustainable Mobility Products and Hybrid programs. “We are moving aggressively with our electrification strategy and our work to help make Michigan a center of excellence for a range of electrified vehicles.”

CPI, based in Troy, Mich., will begin battery pack assembly for the Ford Focus Electric in 2011 and is finalizing its U.S. production site. The lithium-ion cells for the packs will initially be sourced from Korea through LG Chem.

The cells will incorporate LG Chem’s proprietary chemistry and its industry-leading safety-reinforced-separator technology that provides unparalleled safety performance.

Focus Electric will have a targeted range of up to 100 miles per full charge with zero tailpipe emissions. It is one of five electrified vehicles Ford is bringing to market in the U.S. in the next two years. These include:

Transit Connect Electric
A small commercial van in 2010
Focus Electric in 2011
Two new lithium-ion battery-powered hybrids
A plug-in hybrid in 2012

Focus Electric, a full battery electric passenger car, will be produced at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich.

This complements the overall Ford strategy to establish a center of excellence in Michigan for electrification of a broad range of vehicles, including lithium-ion battery-powered hybrids, plug-ins and pure electric vehicles. You can read more about the Ford center of excellence by clicking here. Ford is committed to delivering electrified vehicles as part of its overall vehicle portfolio designed to deliver both the fuel efficiency and the performance customers demand.

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12 Comments

Juan B
July 13, 2010 at 2:01 pm

It seems more logical to reconfigure the transit connect to do the same job as a small commercial van. Reply

John Arseneault
July 13, 2010 at 4:41 pm

This is just another instance where Ford will take a leadership position. I'm proud to have been associated with this brand for over 20 years and the leadership, innovation, and quality of the Ford product has never been better and is not rivalled by any other manufacturer in the world.
Keep up the great work! Reply

edvard
July 14, 2010 at 11:14 am

Sounds like you all are going to be sourcing your cells from the same company GM is using for their upcoming Volt. The tests or these batteries has been extremely promising, with the "Mule" cars using these having been driven in every condition imaginable. The results have been better than expected. Thus I would imagine that this would be a sure-fire winner for the all-electric Focus. Reply

Thomas Arms
July 15, 2010 at 9:26 pm

I am amazed that, given the economy and what the oil companies so recently did to all car companies, American car companies don't want to lead the industry in the development of electric cars with a range of 300 miles per charge. Oh, I'm sorry, there is an American car company that already meets that criteria its name is Tesla. My bad. Doesn't it gall you as so called "leaders" in car making that you are so far behind? The Ford Focus electric car with a 100 mile range per charge is a joke comparatively and of no use to a commutor who travels 55 to 60 miles to and from work. I'll be impressed when you as a car maker leap frog the rest of the car makers (Nissan Leaf etc.) and make a car that will help all people and the environment at the same time. When you do this I will be a Ford owner for the rest of my life. Reply

Andrew Evans
July 16, 2010 at 1:50 pm

Tesla costs 100k, The focus will cost 25-30k. The battery is 70% of the cost of the car, which is why is price is directly proportional to range in electric cars.. also ford is actually going to ship a bunch of these in comparison to tesla which I think has shipped less than 500 cars total over the past 10 years. Reply

Joe
July 30, 2010 at 1:40 am

@ Thomas Arms

Top Gear did a review of the Tesla Roadster sports car which is over $100,000 dollars. they found that when they drove it like a sports car (which it is) they couldn't get more then 55 miles per charge. The real next gen car will be hydrogen fuel cell powered. Reply

John Ilagan
July 15, 2010 at 10:49 pm

I have a hybrid Ford Fusion now and I absolutely love it. I plan to check out the electric plug in Focus when it comes out and would be willing to buy one as if it has anywhere near the quality and driving pleasure that my Hybrid Fusion has. Ford is producing winners all around from the new 411 hp Mustang GT, Flex, Fusion, Transit, F150, Taurus and the soon to arrive Fiesta and Focus. I'm glad that an American company is finally building cars that surpass its Japanese, European and American competitors in quality, styling, and peformance!! Go Ford Go!! Reply

J Daniels
July 16, 2010 at 1:55 pm

I came across an interesting read the other day: p. 318 of the Iacocca autobiography, and hope it helps in our US automotive manufacturing sector.

All proceeds from the book go to the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston (Bantam Books)
And think it should be required reading: It’s like looking through a 1984 mirror and finding today, almost verbatim. Thanks for your time. Reply

Ana Watson
July 23, 2010 at 4:59 am

Great News, It will be great relief for many car owners. Due to increasing rate of fuel many car owners pocket was badly effected. We all know ford is one of the best reputed brands all over the world this electric cars will be in good demand as it has ford brand name but ford has to provide many stations to keep the reputation of car good. Reply

L. Adams
August 4, 2010 at 5:34 pm

Add a solar panel to the electric Focus and I will buy one----be like driving for free. Reply

EGM
August 8, 2010 at 8:07 pm

60 mph requires ~ 12 kW (16 hp) to sustain the battery.
Sun = 1 kw/sq.m, at 20% eff. 60 sq.m (640 sq.ft) required.
You'd need a flat deck trailer 8 ft x 80 ft.
Current panels are $2.50/Watt = $30,000.
Have fun driving for "free". Reply

Dave
August 29, 2010 at 2:55 pm

The Nissan Leaf should run about $35K. A Versa costs 11-15k. You can buy a LOT of
gas for $20,000! I hope the electric Focus costs (eventually- after all the "new" dies down- much
like any new electronic device) about 15K. And why not? There's no emission control, transmission,
bulky internal-combustion engine or messy fluids. I hope Ford takes the lead and gives us an
AFFORDABLE electric vehicle. Reply

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