Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid EPA-certified for 100 MPGe combined; tops Volt and Prius PHV
11 October 2012
The new Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid (earlier post), which goes on sale in the US this year, is now EPA-certified at 100 miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) combined city and highway, and 108 MPGe in the city.
The C-MAX Energi’s 100 MPGe combined rating beats the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid’s combined EPA rating by 5 MPGe and the Chevrolet Volt’s by 2 MPGe.
With a starting price of $29,995, after federal tax credit and including destination and delivery costs, Ford expects C-MAX Energi to be the US’ most affordable plug-in hybrid.
Ford projects that its Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, due out in early 2013, will deliver 100+ MPGe combined.
The C-MAX Energi joins the C-MAX Hybrid as part of Ford’s first hybrid-only dedicated line of vehicles. C-MAX Hybrid, available in dealerships this fall, is now EPA-certified at 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined.
That's a good job from Ford, and apparently much more fun to drive than a Prius.
The lack of a custom body from Ford has led to an unfortunate amount of intrusion into the load space however.
You still have enough space to be usable, but not a lot for this style of vehicle:
http://www.plugincars.com/brusa-aims-revolutionize-charging-worlds-first-22-kw-board-quick-charger-electric-vehicles-124274.ht
Posted by: Davemart | 11 October 2012 at 03:28 AM
Davemart,
Isn't this the 'chameleon' charger in the ZOE? Seems a lot like it.
I doubt that. In the Netherlands most houses are single phase (230 V) and 25 or 40 A. For consumers the max is 3 phase (400 V), 25 A. Well, you can get more than 3x25A, but it will cost you.
I can hardly imagine this being very different in other countries. You should be able to speak for the UK. Exceptions are perhaps Norway and France where electricity is abundant and often times used for heating.
Posted by: Arne | 11 October 2012 at 04:16 AM
Anne:
Apparently Germany has 400v 32A commonly fitted.
We don't in the UK
I doubt that this is what is used in the Zoe, as I understand that that can accept 44kw as well as 22kw.
Posted by: Davemart | 11 October 2012 at 05:32 AM
Anne:
Actually our discussion is OT, as I inadvertently posted the wrong link.
I meant to post illustrating the limited boot space in the Energi:
http://i1097.photobucket.com/albums/g356/darrelld3/2013_ford_c-max_energi_06-984.jpg
The Brusa is fitted in the Smart ED, I think.
Posted by: Davemart | 11 October 2012 at 05:35 AM
Davemart,
Since no one else is here anyway I feel we can hijack this thread ;)
I didn't know about Germany, but is it standard in the existing housing stock, or only new built houses? And what about Spain, Italy? Poland?
I didn't suggest that the BRUSA is fitted in the ZOE, but afaik the chameleon charger can take 22 kW from a 3 phase outlet too.
Posted by: Arne | 11 October 2012 at 06:26 AM
Oops, seems I'm just repeating what you said.
I remember the chameleon charger can take a max of 22 kW from 3 phase AC and 44 kW only from a chademo dc charger.
Posted by: Arne | 11 October 2012 at 06:31 AM
Well then, Bonnie....
I was speaking from memory, and can't find good links.
Researching it it looks as though 400V is not standard in Germany, but can be fitted as 3-phase.
Here is a list of countries with reasonable access to 400V:
http://www.hobbyprojects.com/electricity-power-standards/three-phase-voltage-frequency-and-number-of-wires.html
In fact you can get that though 3 wires, when 4 are needed in Germany.
Here is a bit more on the charger for the Smart ED:
'For the feasibility of quick charging it is possible to optionally equip the car with a quick-charging function. The 22 kW on-board charger enables a completely empty battery to be fully charged in less than an hour. A power cable is needed for this which is used to connect the vehicle to a public quick-charging station or a "wallbox" at home or work.
smart will offer this in future in cooperation with SPX, one of the world's leading suppliers of technology solutions in the fields of energy and automotive as a global installation and service partner, and with KEBA, a specialist for innovative E-charging infrastructure and wallboxes. If a customer decides to install a wallbox at home or work the smart Sales department will contact SPX. SPX will examine the local conditions, make an individual offer, and after a purchase decision, arrange for installation of the wallbox from KEBA. The wallbox is standardised and can of course also be used to charge vehicles from other manufacturers, for example if there is a mixed fleet.
There are two different types of wallbox: Basic and Connected. Both variants can be used for the quick charging of a single vehicle, or several vehicles one after the other. For private customers who want to charge up quickly and easily at home, a Basic wallbox is the perfect solution. It provides quick charging up to 22 kW and can be used both indoors and outdoors. The Connected wallbox also provides internet connectivity once linked up to the customer's web connection.'
http://green.autoblog.com/2012/06/18/third-gen-smart-fortwo-electric-ev-drivers-asked-for/
It sounds as though that may be an alternative for your Zoe.
Posted by: Davemart | 11 October 2012 at 07:03 AM
Most (90+%) new homes in our area use electricity for heating-cooking-hot water etc etc and are equipped with 400 Amps @ 240 volts (96 KW) distribution panel and meter. Individual circuits top at 40 Amps x 240 VAC or 9.6 KW due to cable and connectors approved domestic size/capacity.
Other cable/connector size/capacity could be approved and installed if required.
Three phase 440 VAC and 660 VAC are available but users have to pay for initial installation of extra cabling and transformer. Most industries have this type of equipment and pay special much lower rates. The initial higher cost is quickly recovered with lower energy rates.
Posted by: HarveyD | 11 October 2012 at 08:10 AM
Over 100 mpge at under $30K is a huge improvement over GM's Volt. Others will follow and many top quality PHEVs with over 100 mpge will reach the market soon.
Compared with our 12 to 18 mpg gas guzzlers, this could be a good interim solution (using 7.5 times less fuel) for USA and many other countries without enough liquid fuel.
Posted by: HarveyD | 11 October 2012 at 08:17 AM
If the Ford C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid meets all specs - it's a very strong PHEV, perhaps the best yet.
PS - "Since no one else is here anyway I feel we can hijack this thread ;)"
That never happens, Ann :)
Posted by: kelly | 11 October 2012 at 08:58 AM
Except that the Volt and the PiP are in production now.
We'll see what sort of bugs Ford has left in the car to clean up on the 2nd rev. Hopefully, they will have a solid car at the intro, but I'll believe it when I see it.
Driving my Prius very "gently" to see just how many mpg I can achieve on a single tank of gas, I'm currently at 69 mpg on 585 miles (indicator reads 72 mpg) with 2 bars out of 10 remaining. I should hit 700 miles on this tank. I wonder if Ford's first incarnation of a focus hybrid could achieve that with careful driving.
Posted by: TM | 11 October 2012 at 09:00 AM
Combined MPG is quite misleading. I wonder why it has been invented for PHEV? It is so far away from actual figures. For instance Jay Leno has achieved 1000 MPG and many other 300 MPG with Chevy Volt. The final MPG is absolutely related to the daily commute range. May be finally as PHEV will start dominating the two figures will matter AER and MPG in CS mode.
Posted by: Darius | 12 October 2012 at 03:31 AM
Good point Darius.
Daily commute range and many other (weighted) factors should be considered for PHEVs. The EPA method is a fit all rather limited box. Very few users will match the limited factors used.
It should be relatively easy to develop a more complex but simple computer program to fit/consider various conditions.
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 October 2012 at 09:13 AM