I drove a Focus Electric today.

[NeilBlanchard]

Ford uses active noise cancellation, I believe in the C-Max Hybrid. I don't think that an electric car needs anything to make it quieter.

The RAV 4 EV and the Tesla Model S go at least 150 miles at highway speeds. The Illuminati Motor Works 'Seven' goes over 200 miles at highway speeds, as do the Model S' with the larger battery packs.

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by sendler

We are not going to see real highway range over 100 miles in any car that nice for a long time. The stripped MiEV cant' even make 100 miles at highway speed.

The MiEV is not designed for long range or high speeds, it's designed for low cost so it has a small battery pack in it.

here is a side by side comparison of the electric Focus and MiEV compared to the gasoline and flex fuel Focus.
Compare Side-by-Side

[Recumpence]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Ford uses active noise cancellation, I believe in the C-Max Hybrid. I don't think that an electric car needs anything to make it quieter.

The RAV 4 EV and the Tesla Model S go at least 150 miles at highway speeds. The Illuminati Motor Works 'Seven' goes over 200 miles at highway speeds, as do the Model S' with the larger battery packs.

I don't think so. I can Definitely hear the engine when it runs. I was talking about quiet running in EV mode.

[Daox]

Noise canceling doesn't cancel out everything, it just makes it quieter.

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid - Autoweek

And there is active noise-cancellation technology that makes the C-Max one of the quietest entries in the class.

[mechman600]

Since my wife and I drive a Toyota Matrix now, I yearn for a C-Max. The Energi one. When is it due for release...does anyone know?

[Recumpence]

ASAIK, February.

I did the math and the additional $5,000 for the energi will take far too long to offset by the 18 miles of EV range per charge. That being said, however, I would love to own one.

Matt

[NeilBlanchard]

I thought the range was ~21 miles? You can charge it at work, maybe and get ~42 miles per day? That would cost less than $1, saving about $3/day - that pays back in under 5 years.

[mechman600]

If it really is only $5000 more for the Energi, that's a smoking deal, considering aftermarket PHEV kits are way more than that and do not have OEM backing.

I don't even think about the economic side when considering a BEV or PHEV. I am willing to pay a premium for a really cool, interesting vehicle and for me these vehicles fall under this category.

Think of the $5K as an insurance premium for when the next middle east crisis erupts and gas shoots to $8 a gallon!

[CigaR007]

I was surprised by the weight figures of the C-Max. Around 3600 lb..kinda heavy if you ask me.

[Ryland]

Here are some more EPA comparisons, the plug in C-Max has a 21 mile EV range and on pure gasoline gets worse mileage then the non plug in C-Max hybrid.
Compare Side-by-Side