Ford C-Max Energi News

Ford Expands EV Offering by Certifying 900 Dealers

Eric Loveday — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 14:13:00 +0000

When the Ford Focus Electric launched last summer, only 67 Ford dealers across the nation were certified to sell the company's plug-in vehicle. By November, that number surpassed 200. Ford now says the number of EV Certified dealers will exceed 900 by Spring.

Ford has been repeatedly criticized for promoting the availability of its plug-in cars, but not supporting its EV efforts at the dealership level. Local dealerships, even in markets where EVs are popular, have not been informed about plug-in cars. Sales staff has not been ready to demonstrate and sell the vehicles. This announcement from Ford about the growth of certified dealers suggest that the company is getting better prepared.

C-Max Energi Plug-in Costs Less than Hybrid, After Incentives

Brad Berman — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:58:49 +0000

Here’s a new twist on the price premium argument against buying a car that plugs into the grid. Ford priced the plug-in version of the C-Max so close to the conventional hybrid version that—after considering federal and state incentives, as well as trim packages—shoppers can drive away with the plug-in at virtually the same price.

As usually, the devil is in the details. With three different add-on premium packages available for the C-Max Hybrid, shoppers with sharp pencils might make a different argument. But considering that a loaded C-Max Hybrid SEL tops out at $30,000, and the base price of the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid is $33,745, the difference in the price of admission for the two vehicles is less than $4,000.

Sales of Plug-in Hybrids Eclipse Pure EVs in November

Eric Loveday — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 17:04:53 +0000

The Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid has once again topped the plug-in vehicle segment. It led the pack back in April, so November 2012 marks the second time the Prius Plug-In was the number one seller. Meanwhile, the Ford C-Max Energi, in its first full month on the market, leapt into fourth place in sales in the plug-in vehicle category.

For November, Prius Plug-In sales check at a healthy 1,766 units, bringing the plug-in Prius' year-to-date US sales total to 11,389.

Ford Plug-ins Force Choice Between Electric Drive and Storage Space

Zach McDonald — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 16:20:34 +0000

The C-Max Energi plug-in loses almost 10 cubic feet of cargo space compared to the C-Max Hybrid. (Photo via darrelld3).

Ford's plug-in vehicle lineup currently consists of two vehicles: the limited-volume Ford Focus Electric, and the new Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid. Both cars have their advantages, with the Focus boasting the highest range of any EV in its class and an active thermal management system—and the C-Max Energi as the both the most efficient and least expensive plug-in hybrid on the market.

Ford C-Max Energi Plug-in Qualifies for California Rebate and HOV Access

Nick Kurczewski — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:09:45 +0000

The Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid is now eligible for additional state rebates in California, and has access to HOV lanes.

California drivers interested in saving extra cash, and avoiding time wasted in traffic, you have some good news—or at least another option in the EV market. The Ford C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid has been approved for an additional state rebate, and access to highly coveted HOV lanes. While operation in EV-only model, the compact minivan-like C-Max Energi has a range of 21 miles, and top speed of 85 mph. Once the battery is drained, a fuel-efficient Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine provides power and additional driving range comparable to a conventional vehicle.

Ford C-Max Energi Ranks High on Electric-Only and Overall Range

Eric Loveday — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:37:36 +0000

Ford C-Max Energi offers 620 miles on a single tank of gas, and an electric-only range of up to 21 miles.

Ford C-MAX Energi Officially Rated at 100 MPGe Combined

Eric Loveday — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 12:45:18 +0000

Ford announced yesterday that the plug-in version of its C-Max was certified by the EPA with a rating of 100 MPGe combined, beating the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid by a five MPGe. The C-Max Energi received an highway rating of 92 MPGe.

With a starting price of $29,995, the C-MAX Energi will become the most affordable plug-in hybrid available in the US when it launches in fall 2012.

The EPA window label also includes an estimation of fuel cost savings over a five-year period, compared to a 23-mpg gas-powered automobile. On this account, the C-Max is estimated to save $7,000 in fuel costs, over the course of five years.

Ford C-Max Energi Operates As Pure Electric Car for First 20 Miles

Brad Berman — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 18:35:31 +0000

Mea Culpa. Last week, I criticized Ford for hyping up the capabilities of its upcoming C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid. I was wrong. I wrote that Ford marketers used trumped up numbers to make the C-Max Energi appear a lot more capable than the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid. After speaking with John Davis, the chief engineer for the C-Max in North America, I learned that the C-Max Energi is indeed substantially more capable of driving purely as an EV than the Prius Plug-in—and its technology is in fact an innovative step forward for plug-in hybrids.

Ford Splits Hairs Comparing C-Max Energi to Prius Models

Brad Berman — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:22:33 +0000

In EV mode, Ford says the C-MAX Energi can hit speeds of up to 85 mph.

With each new press release about the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid, Ford takes great pains to show how it beats various Toyota Prius models. But I just don’t get it. The distinctions are so fine that everyday consumers are not likely to be moved by (or even understand) the differences. Of course, Ford should be applauded for putting its first plug-in hybrid on the market. But the success of the Ford C-Max Energy will depend much more on production numbers and sales execution, which has been less than stellar for the Ford Focus Electric.

Ford C-MAX Energi to Feature 20 Miles of Electric-Only Range

Eric Loveday — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 12:17:29 +0000

Ford claims that the C-MAX Energi will features 20plus miles of electric-only range and will earn an MPGe rating of 95.