DEARBORN, Mich., March 1, 2011 – Cold temperatures and consistent snowfall can slow things down in the winter, but not the Ford Focus Electric. Thanks to the use of an advanced active liquid-heating system, the battery provides additional power, longer range and is preconditioned after charging – all in cold temperatures.

“Batteries are similar to people as they both achieve maximum performance working under moderate, unchanged temperatures,” said Sherif Marakby, Ford director of Electrification Programs and Engineering. “Using a liquid-heated battery system allows Ford to keep the Focus Electric’s battery at a moderate temperature and improve performance whether you are charging or driving in a cold climate.”

Extreme temperatures can affect battery performance and reduce the range of electric vehicles. The range will not be impacted as much with a liquid-heated system compared to an air system. That’s why Ford will use an advanced active liquid-cooling and heating system to regulate the temperature of its lithium-ion battery packs, which are designed to operate under a range of ambient conditions.

“A liquid-heated battery can accept a charge faster from the regenerative braking that recaptures kinetic energy and sends it back to the battery, essentially providing longer range for the customer in real world cold weather conditions,” said Marakby. “Additionally, since acceleration in an electric vehicle comes from the power available in the battery, the customer will have more power available if the battery is warmer.”

via Let It Snow: Cold Weather No Problem for Ford Focus Electric’s Liquid-Heated Battery System | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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McMahon Ford
3291 S Kingshighway at Fyler
314-664-4100

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DETROIT, Jan. 10, 2011 – Differentiating itself with an electrification strategy that emphasizes customer choice, Ford is introducing a family of electrified vehicles – including its first all-electric passenger sedan, the all-new Focus Electric.

The debut of C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid at the 2011 North American International Auto Show, on the heels of the newly unveiled Focus Electric, builds on Ford’s electrified vehicle portfolio, bringing expanded choice to customers and further strengthening the company’s sustainability strategy.

The fuel-free, all-electric rechargeable Focus Electric passenger car will launch in North America in late 2011 and Europe in 2012. The C-MAX Energi is the company’s first-ever
plug-in hybrid production electric vehicle that comes to market beginning in 2012, targeting
AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle) status. The C-MAX Hybrid is a next-generation full hybrid version of the five-passenger multi-activity vehicle.

The new-generation Ford electrified vehicles introduce new features and technologies – led by a unique version of the MyFord Touch™ driver connect system especially for electric vehicles, a new value charging feature powered by Microsoft and, for North America, a smartphone app called MyFord Mobile that helps plug-in owners control their vehicles remotely.

via FORD ELECTRIC VEHICLE PLAN OFFERS REAL CHOICE WITH NEW FOCUS ELECTRIC, C-MAX ENERGI AND C-MAX HYBRID | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

Your St. Louis Ford Dealership
McMahon Ford
3291 S Kingshighway at Fyler
314-664-4100

Dan Dinzebach
Internet Sales Manager

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DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 2, 2010 – The all-new Ford Focus Electric, which debuts in the U.S. late next year and in Europe in 2012, will be powered by an advanced lithium-ion battery that utilizes heated and cooled liquid to help maximize battery life and gas-free driving range.

Thermal management of lithium-ion battery systems is critical to the success of all-electric vehicles because extreme temperatures can affect performance, reliability, safety and durability. Ford has chosen an advanced active liquid-cooling and heating system to regulate the temperature of its lithium-ion battery packs, which are designed to operate under a range of ambient conditions.

via FORD USES INNOVATIVE LIQUID-COOLED BATTERY SYSTEM TO HELP FOCUS ELECTRIC OWNERS MAXIMIZE RANGE | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

Your St. Louis Ford Dealership
McMahon Ford
3291 S Kingshighway at Fyler
314-664-4100

Dan Dinzebach
Internet Sales Manager

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NEW YORK, March 31, 2010 – For decades, the automobile battery was an essentially static technology, but it’s no longer being taken for granted. Battery technology is now in a starring role in the development of a new generation of electrified vehicles.

But today’s batteries are a far cry from the humble lead-acid battery used for a century in the automobile. The 12-volt lead-acid battery used in traditional automotive applications is rapidly giving way to sophisticated, higher energy and power batteries as the automobile industry shifts further toward electrification.

The advent of hybrid electric vehicles spawned a new generation of batteries, making nickel metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries the energy storage technology of choice. The nickel used in these batteries is lighter than lead, helping the battery deliver twice the power output for the weight as lead-acid batteries, but the cost of Ni-MH batteries is high – four times that of lead acid. Automakers already believe they have tapped most of the potential of Ni-MH technology and are moving rapidly toward Lithium-ion technology.

Lithium-ion batteries are commonplace in the world of consumer electronics. They’re lighter and more energy dense than other types of batteries, making them ideal for laptop computers, mobile phones and other portable devices.

That makes lithium-ion technology even better for use in cars of the future, right?

via THE CAR BATTERY: FROM THE SHADOWS TO STARDOM | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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• Ford’s global electrification strategy will deliver a suite of five new electrified vehicles for differing customer needs in North America and Europe by 2013 and build on the company’s overall vision of offering the widest possible range of fuel-efficient, low-emission technological solutions
• The plan includes the Transit Connect Electric light commercial vehicle, the Focus Electric passenger car, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and two next-generation lithium-ion battery powered hybrid electric models
• Ford is working with leading technology suppliers, utility partners and international governments to accelerate commercialization of electrified vehicles

NEW YORK, March 31, 2010 – The drive toward broad commercialization of electric vehicles intensified today as Ford Motor Company and Microsoft jointly introduced a new way for consumers to manage their energy use if they choose to plug in their next vehicle.

Microsoft’s Hohm software application, which allows customers to connect to their local utility provider to better understand and manage their home’s energy usage, is the latest component in Ford’s global electrification plans, and further demonstrates the company’s commitment to working with technology leaders to prepare consumers for a future with electric vehicles.

Ford’s global electrification strategy includes plans to produce five full electric or hybrid vehicles in the compact, midsize and light commercial segments for the North American market by 2012 and European markets by 2013.

via COLLABORATION IS KEY TO FORD’S GLOBAL ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE PLANS | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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St. Louis, Mo., March 9, 2010 – Azure Dynamics Corporation today announced AT&T has agreed to purchase two of the first Ford Transit Connect Electric vans, the latest addition to AT&T’s growing fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles.

The Ford Transit Connect Electric — the all-electric version of the 2010 Ford Transit Connect, the North American Truck of the Year — will be powered by Azure Dynamics’ patented Force DriveTM electric drivetrain with an advanced lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls-Saft. The vehicle, which goes on sale later this year, has a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge and will be rechargeable using either 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlets. It has a top speed of 75 miles per hour.

“Cleaner, alternative-fuel vehicles are the future of our corporate fleet, and the Transit Connect Electric represents a real breakthrough and will be a strong addition to our range of alternative-fuel vehicles,” said Jerome Webber, vice president of fleet operations at AT&T. “It’s exactly the kind of vehicle we envisioned when we mapped our long-term vision to invest up to $565 million to deploy more than 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles through 2018.” AT&T currently operates more than 77,000 vehicles in its corporate fleet, including 15 gasoline-powered Ford Transit Connect vehicles AT&T began piloting in 2009.

via AT&T BECOMES LEAD CUSTOMER FOR FORD TRANSIT CONNECT ELECTRIC | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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• Ford Transit Connect Electric, a pure electric-powered version of the award-winning Transit Connect small van, goes into production in late 2010
• Ford is collaborating with Azure Dynamics Corporation to upfit the Transit Connect Electric with Azure’s Force Drive™ battery electric powertrain and Johnson Controls-Saft’s advanced lithium-ion battery technology
• Transit Connect Electric is the first product in Ford’s accelerated electrified vehicle plan, and will be followed by the Focus Electric in 2011, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in 2012 and next-generation hybrid technology in 2012
• The all-electric, zero-emission Transit Connect Electric has targeted range of up to 80 miles per full charge, and will be rechargeable using either 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlets
• Transit Connect Electric is ideal for fleet owners that have well-defined routes of predictable distances and a central location for daily recharging

CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2010 – Ford Motor Company today unveiled the all-electric version of the Ford Transit Connect – the 2010 North American Truck of the Year – at the Chicago Auto Show and confirmed the zero-emissions small van will be in fleet operators’ hands later this year.

via FORD TRANSIT CONNECT ELECTRIC COMMERCIAL VAN HELPS FLEET CUSTOMERS GO COMPLETELY GAS-FREE | Ford Motor Company Newsroom.

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