Ford Offers Power of Choice in Electrified Cars
Disclosure: I was invited to participate in the Ford Power of Choice event in Dallas. No compensation was given. All opinions are 100% my own.
Did you know that over the past year, sales of hybrid vehicles have increased 652% in the Dallas-Fort Worth region? Consumers have the Power of Choice and are making the fuel-efficient and environmentally conscious decision.
Power of Choice
The Ford Motor Company has partnered with Dallas-Fort Worth Clean Cities to bring the Power of Choice to North Texas. In fact, Ford currently offers 5 new electrified vehicles:
- Fusion Energi (plug-in hybrid)
- Escape with 1.6L EcoBoost (new highly efficient turbo charged engine)
- C-MAX Hybrid
- Focus EV (all electric)
- F-150 EcoBoost (new highly efficient turbo charged engine)
Whether driving the Ecoboost, Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid, or Electric vehicle, you have the power to choose. Plus, when you choose a Plug-in Hybrid model, you can receive a $3,750 federal tax credit. The full electric vehicle will bring you a $7,500 tax credit when you purchase. Not a bad incentive to pick the more environmentally-friendly vehicle for driving around town.
Plus, the electrified cars have some pretty cool features you will not find on a standard gas only vehicle:
The @ford Fusion Energy has a 100 MPGe Super Fuel Economy, emission free. #FordTX twitter.com/7onashoestring…
— Staci Salazar (@7onashoestring) May 29, 2013
What is a MPGE? 33 kWh = 1 gallon of gas #FordTX @ford — Staci Salazar (@7onashoestring) May 29, 2013
You can drive up to 85mph on electric mode in the new @ford fusion! #fordtx twitter.com/naturallyestes… — Brittany Estes (@naturallyestes) May 29, 2013
EV Mode on @ford electric cars allows you to choose between normal hybrid, electric only, or save the electric. #FordTX
— Staci Salazar (@7onashoestring) May 29, 2013
When you unlock the@ford electric car, the battery port will light up to show you how charged it is! #fordtx twitter.com/naturallyestes…
— Brittany Estes (@naturallyestes) May 29, 2013
ABC’s of driving efficiently. Do you know them? @ford #FordTX twitter.com/7onashoestring…
— Staci Salazar (@7onashoestring) May 29, 2013
Fusion Energi is less than $1 per charge — @ford Focus Electrix is $2-$3 per charge #FordTx
— Digital Mom Blog (@digitalmomblog) May 29, 2013
Regenerative Braking
Perhaps the most interesting fact I learned was the concept of regenerative braking.
A regenerative brake is an energy recovery mechanism which slows a vehicle or object down by converting its kinetic energy into another form, which can be either used immediately or stored until needed. This contrasts with conventional braking systems, where the excess kinetic energy is converted to heat by friction in the brake linings and therefore wasted.
As we test drove the Ford C-MAX Hybrid at the Power of Choice event, Colby was able to get the vehicle to regenerate 90% energy. It was fascinating to learn about and easy to understand after driving the Ford C-MAXenergi for a week (review to come). The concept is quite fascinating and highly efficient.
Which electrified car would you most likely choose?
Make sure to like Ford on Facebook or follow along on Twitter to continue to learn more about the Power of Choice and current and future Ford models.