Ford Focus Electric To Hit US Roads At $39,200: Top Electric Cars In The Market To Challenge The New Vehicle (PHOTOS)

By Akansha Srivastava | April 17 2012 9:51 AM

Photo: Ford

Ford Focus Electric To Land On US Roads At $39,200; Top Electric Cars In The Market To Rival Against the New Ride

According to company’s latest press release, Ford will begin selling the Focus to consumers by late 2012, across 19 markets of North America, with prices starting at $39,200. The new release is an all-electric model which is powered by 23 KWH high-voltage lightweight lithium ion battery, with a charge time of about 4 hours to fully top up the batteries with a 240-volt outlet.

Photo: Fisker Automotive

Fisker Karma

The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid luxury sports sedan produced by Fisker Automotive and manufactured at Valmet Automotive in Finland. After missing its initial late 2009 launch, and after the launch was rescheduled several times, the first deliveries took place in the U.S. in late July 2011 and deliveries to retail customers began in November 2011. Since December 2011, pricing in the US starts at $102,000 for the basic model and $116,000 for the top model.

Photo: Nissan

Nissan Leaf

The Nissan Leaf is a five-door hatchback electric car manufactured by Nissan and introduced in Japan and the United States in December 2010. Since then more than 27,000 Leafs have been sold worldwide through the end of March 2012.The top selling markets are Japan, with 12,000 units sold by mid March 2012 and the United States, with 11,426 units sold through March 2012. Leaf offers a range of 100 miles on single charge and can reach speeds of up to 90 mph. It is priced at $26,000 after tax-credit.

Photo: Chevrolet

Chevrolet Volt

Chevrolet Volt runs about 35 miles on a single charge and then its 1.4 liter gasoline engine generator kicks in which generates electricity for up to 340 miles on full tank gas. Volt can hit a top speed of 100 mph when running on battery. It is priced at $32,780 after the $7500 tax credit.

Photo: Tesla

Tesla Roadster

Tesla Roadster has a range of 245 miles and is powered by lithium-ion battery with 6,831 individual cells. It has a top speed of 125mph. The car can do 0 to 60mph in 3.9 seconds.

Photo: Toyota

Toyota Prius PHV

Toyota’s Prius Plug-In Hybrid (PHV) is based on the third-generation Prius. The Prius PHV with the support of its three lithium-ion battery packs can reach a speed of 60 mph and can travel a maximum of 13 miles in EV mode. Currently 600 Prius PHVs are in fleet trail across the globe.

Photo: Toyota

Toyota RAV4 EV

Toyota debuted its second generation Toyota RAV4 EV in November 2010. The model is due to go on sale in 2012. Currently the 35 demonstration vehicle that Toyota is working on is powered by lithium metal oxide battery with useable output rated in the mid-30 kwh range. The model is built in collaboration with Tesla.

Photo: Honda

Honda Fit EV

This electric version of the Honda Fit is expected to have a 76 mile range, from a 20 kilowatt-hour battery pack. Charging time is brisk due to a 6.6 kilowatt charger. It will be available only on lease, beginning in select California and Oregon markets in 2012 and expanding to the East Coast in 2013.

Photo: Coda

Coda Sedan

This is an all electric sedan assembled in California by Coda Automotive. It can carry up to 5 passengers, and its 36 kilowatt-hour battery pack gives it a 160 mile range. It has a 6.6 kilowatt charger giving a faster recharge time. Coda has begun assembling cars and delivery should commence, in California only, in 2012. Base price is $39,900 and it's eligible for the $7,500 federal tax rebate.

The Electric Vehicle (EV) market is all set to witness a slew of offerings by major car manufacturers this year. Back in CES 2011, Ford announced its plans to electrify its Focus compact and now the company has recently announced its plans to bring the electric vehicle to the market.

According to company's latest press release, Ford will begin selling the Focus to consumers by late 2012, across 19 markets of North America, with prices starting at $39,200. The new release is an all-electric model which is powered by 23 KWH high-voltage lightweight lithium ion battery, with a charge time of about 4 hours to fully top up the batteries with a 240-volt outlet.

Further, the Focus Electric features an embedded wireless data connection using AT&T's network which enables remote vehicle monitoring and control. It also includes the MyFord Mobile app which will allow the buyer to connect to the car from the iOS, Android and BlackBerry smartphone (or from a Web portal) to check the battery status and range, to initiate charging (if the EV's already plugged in) and to adjust the climate control (to set cabin temperature ahead of time, while still on the grid). It also allows to plan trips by taking into account the location of charging stations and by knowing the vehicle's current position.

It is known to all, that the EV segment is at a primary stage in the market for right now, but the competition is becoming stiff every other day, hence, here is a slideshow of the the top electric cars in the category which are going to give tough competition to the new entrant in the market

Take a look.