On introduction in 2011 it had a 23 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack,[6] which delivered a range of 76 mi (122 km) according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

For the 2017 model this was upgraded to a 33.5 kWh liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack[7] which delivers a range of 115 mi (185 km) according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The agency rated the Focus Electric combined fuel economy at 105 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.2 L/100 km)[8] for the original model and 107 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.2 L/100 km) for the 2017 model,[9] and ranks the Focus Electric as the most fuel-efficient car sold in the United States in the compact class.

[22] The concept car unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show was developed to participate in the UK Government's "Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicles" demonstration initiative in early 2010.

This new BEV demonstration fleet is being developed partly with public funding from the UK Government's Technology Strategy Board (TSB) which promotes innovative industry-led projects that reduce CO2.

On a hot day the cooled liquid absorbs heat from the battery pack, dispersing it through a radiator before pumping it through the chiller again.

On a cold day the heated liquid warms the batteries, gradually bringing the system's temperature to a level that allows it to efficiently accept charge energy and provide enough discharge power for expected vehicle performance.

[34] The Ford Focus Electric introduced new features and a high level of technological connectivity including a unique version of the MyFord Touch driver connect system adapted for electric vehicles, a new value charging feature powered by Microsoft and a smartphone application called MyFord Mobile that owners can use to control and charge their vehicles remotely.

The improved MyFord Touch system will also allow drivers to customize the display on a case-by-case basis according to the owners daily, weekly or monthly driving needs.

Ford says the designers were inspired by the butterfly effect, a phenomenon in which a small change, such as choosing to drive an electric vehicle, can have an enormous impact.

At the end of each trip a display screen provides distance driven, miles gained through regenerative braking, energy consumed and a comparative gasoline savings achieved by driving electric.

The on-board Navigation System provides an EcoRoute option based on characteristics of efficient EV driving.

[36] However, ultimately Ford decided to hold off including warning sounds unless federal legislation required it, and no such system was implemented on the production vehicle.

[22] Because initial production of the 2012 model year is limited, the Focus Electric was available initially only in 19 metropolitan areas including Atlanta, Houston and Austin, Texas, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, New York City, Orlando, Florida, Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, Portland, Oregon, Raleigh-Durham, Richmond, Virginia, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.[38][43] Deliveries for fleet customers began in December 2011[17][44] and to retail customers in May 2012.

[48][49][50][51] Ford began taking online orders on November 2, 2011, with pricing starting at US$39,995, including a US$795 destination charge, but before the US$7,500 US federal tax credit, along with other state and local incentives available for eligible buyers of plug-in electric vehicles.

Thus, after accounting for all available government incentives, in some locations the Focus Electric may be net-priced similar to a fully loaded gas version.

In 2011, through an association with SunPower, an optional solar-panel system was to be offered by some Ford dealers to be installed on the homes of Focus Electric owners[where?]

[69] In March 2012, the U.S. EPA ranked the Focus Electric as the 2012 most fuel-efficient car sold in the United States in the compact class.