What is the battery life of the Ford Focus Electric?
The Ford Focus Electric uses a 23 kWh battery pack and was EPA-rated for about 76 miles per full charge; Ford backed the high-voltage battery with an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty in the United States. Real-world battery life depends on how the car is charged and used, as well as climate and driving conditions.
Battery specs and performance
Key numbers define how far the Focus Electric can go on a charge and how its battery behaves over time.
- Battery capacity: 23 kWh gross; typically around 21–22 kWh usable energy depending on model year and battery management.
- EPA range when new: About 76 miles (122 km) on a full charge for the original US-spec model; real-world range varies with temperature, speed, and terrain.
- Charging options: Onboard charger around 6.6 kW; Level 2 charging with appropriate home or public charging equipment; DC fast charging availability varied by market and year and was not universally offered.
- Warranty context: High-voltage battery covered by Ford’s 8-year/100,000-mile warranty in the U.S., with terms subject to mileage and condition; regional terms can differ.
Taken together, the Focus Electric offered a practical early-stage EV experience for urban and suburban driving, backed by a warranty designed to address battery health concerns during the initial years of ownership.
Battery longevity and care
Long-term battery life depends on charging behavior, climate, and usage patterns. The following points summarize what affects longevity and how best to care for the battery in an older EV like the Focus Electric.
- Influencing factors: extreme temperatures, frequent deep discharges, and consistently charging to 100% can accelerate capacity loss.
- Degradation expectations: lithium-ion packs commonly exhibit some capacity decline over years of use; the rate varies by climate, charging habits, and overall care.
- Optimization tips: aim to keep daily charging around 20–80%, use Level 2 charging when possible, and limit prolonged exposure to high temperatures; if long-term storage is planned, consider leaving the battery around mid-range charge.
- Maintenance reality: as an aging model, battery performance can vary between individual vehicles; potential owners should consider current battery health and available service options when evaluating a used Focus Electric.
These considerations reflect general lithium-ion battery best practices and the historical approach Ford used for early-generation EVs.
How to assess used Focus Electric battery health
If you are evaluating a used Focus Electric, check battery health indicators such as remaining usable capacity, any unusual charging behavior, and current range at full charge. A diagnostic test by a qualified EV technician can help estimate current capacity relative to the original spec and identify potential issues early.
Summary
The Ford Focus Electric was equipped with a 23 kWh battery, delivering roughly 76 miles of EPA-rated range when new. It carried an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty in the United States, offering a measure of protection for buyers. Real-world longevity depends on factors like climate, charging habits, and driving style, with typical aging seen over several years in many Li-ion packs. For prospective buyers of a used Focus Electric, a current assessment of battery health is crucial to understand remaining range and long-term viability.
