Ford Begins Shipping Focus EVs

Ford Motor Co. has started distributing its first batch of 350 electric Focus compact sedans to 67 dealers in California, New Jersey and New York, according to Reuters, which cites unidentified sources.

The $32,900 vehicle Ford's first electric passenger car model will compete with the Nissan Leaf electric car and Chevrolet Volt extended-range hybrid. Unlike those rivals, the Focus EV is based on an existing platform, which holds down costs. Even so, Ford has said the battery alone costs $12,000-$15,000 per vehicle.

The car, which has a top speed of about 87 mph, is rated at 105 mpg-equivalent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA calculates the Focus EV's range at 76 miles per charge.

Ford aims to introduce the car in 19 American markets by the end of 2012. The company has not announced a sales target. But CEO Alan Mulally says he would consider the vehicle a success even at a volume of less than 5,000 units in its first 12 months.