Ford Focus Electric test drive.

I must say this was a moment I will remember for a long time.
My first time behind the wheel of a fully electric car.
It felt kind of like watching color TV for the 1st time. It’s new and exciting, and you know it will be everywhere in few years.

The design itself is familiar, almost too much so. (But the color TVs also looked like regular ones)
The main changes are up front.

And there is, of course, no tail pipes in the back.

The interior is also the same as most other Focus models. Except the SE. It shares its dashboard with the better SES or Titanium models.
Gone is the Klingon console from the base model.


The trunk is also much smaller. Filled with batteries.
But it’s still not that bad.
With a range of around 80 to 100 miles, this is not a car you will be taking on a long trip anyway.

The most amazing thing about the Electric Focus is that it drives just like a regular one.

It also feels a bit heavier, which is a actually a good thing.
The steering is fine, so is the transmission.
And it does have really good power. It feels about the same as the regular 2.0 model
The ride is not too soft, a little bit firm and very smooth .
The same can be said about the steering.

It all feels very substantial and not gimmicky at all.

And of course, what feels the most amazing is the near silence while you drive. At any speed.

The Electric Focus is quite an amazing car.

In my opinion, its main drawback is its look.
It just doesn’t say “I bought an electric car”. It might be a stupid thing, but a real one.
The Leaf stands out. And the very popular Prius is immediately recognizable as a Hybrid.

Most people who buy such new and expensive technology want to show off a bit. That’s just the way it is.
It looks like within a couple of years, most Fords will adopt the Electric Focus front end design too. Including the regular Focus.
Making this very special model even harder to stand out.

Sure, it is also expensive. But so was the 1st iPod. With 5 gigs for $500.
Or the first 42inch Plasma TVs for $15 000.
It all sounds ridiculous now. And so will a $20 000 premium for an electric car in a few years.

The Electric Focus, like the Leaf, isn’t a good “main” car.
It is the perfect car to go to work. If that is within the range.
It is a perfect second or third car.

It is not the last electric car I will be driving. I will be getting a Volt in a bout a week, a Leaf soon.
Then more and more will come to the market.

But I will never forget my 1st electric drive. And the Electric Focus will always be very special to me.