Competition in the EV segment is heating up. And it's not necessarily about which automaker can produce the widest range of EVs first - it's about who can produce the most efficient EV yet. Ford has set their sights on taking home the gold, and Lehighton Ford is pretty sure it'll be an easy win.

You may have heard that Ford is in the middle of putting the finishing touches on their first EV - the Ford Focus EV. It's already available for preorder in select U.S. markets, and the those who've made their reservation will get their EVs early next year. What's more? According to Ford, it will be the first five-passenger vehicle to ever surpass the 100-mpg-e mark.

Okay, it won't exactly get 100 miles to the gallon, but it will achieve the equivalent. The new mpg-e rating was introduced by the EPA last year to account for the wide range of all-electric and alternative powertrains hitting the market recently. So far, only one other car has hit the triple-digit equivalent: the small Mitsubishi i gets 112 mpg-e.

They're not going to but the proverbial brakes on fuel-efficiency with the Ford Focus EV, though. The automaker claims that their future electric crossover, the Ford C-Max, will also overshadow major competition in the mpg-e world. Which would be pretty neat, we have to admit, since it's set to debut in two variants: a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.

It's just another addition to the increasingly fuel-efficient lineup from the Blue Oval. As a matter of fact, one-third of their lineup features new Ford models that get 40 mpg or more. Derrick Kuzak, Group Vice President of Global Product Development says, "Whether people want a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or full battery-electric vehicle, we have a family of vehicles for them to consider, providing a range of options to best meet their needs and support their driving habits and lifestyles."¹

Ford has been working for nearly two decades, and holds over 500 patents on their hybrid technology and related software. So it's no surprise that they continue to set the bar in electric and hybrid expectations. Needless to say, Lehighton Ford can't wait to see what the 100 mpg-e Ford Focus Electric brings to the EV table. Be sure to stay tuned! Or, stop by and see us at 54 Blakeslee Blvd Dr East Lehighton, PA 18235 to learn more.

Source: ¹http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=35739