As fun as it was to motor around gasoline-free for a week, it would only be realistic for our family as a second vehicle. Something as simple as a camping trip to Algonquin or a family reunion in Montreal suddenly means rental car or a logistical nightmare. Even in our weekly routine, we have occasions that we might drive 25 km into work, need to cross town for appointments, then head home and off to extra-curricular activities without time to charge – this might add up to just a little over 100 km, but as soon as you factor in cold temperatures, running a heater, or getting stuck in traffic, and it’s just not comfortable for us.

However, for those that are looking for a medium-range, emissions-free transportation solution, The Focus BEV is one of only a handful of reasonably priced electric models, the Nissan Leaf chief among them, offering better cargo and passenger space from its dedicated electric vehicle platform or the recently launched Kia Soul EV that is impressive but widely unavailable, not to mention outliers like the Smart ED or Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Other options that might come into play are the pricier BMW i3 or the perfect compromise in my books, the Chevy Volt, with enough juice to cover the daily commute, just the right kind of power, a good enough driving experience for any commuting appliance and a small engine and reasonable gas tank to make long-distance trips feasible.

Warranty:
3 years/60,000 km; 5 years/100,000 km powertrain; 5 years/unlimited distance corrosion perforation; 5 years/100,000 km 24-hour roadside assistance; 8 years/160,000 km selected hybrid powertrain components

Competitors:
Kia Soul EV
Mitsubishi i-MiEV
Nissan Leaf
Smart ED

The Ford Focus BEV is a good effort for a compliance vehicle, behind the curve as far as other electric vehicles go, but hints at the potential that Ford could offer if they went at the segment wholeheartedly.

Pricing: 2015 Ford Focus BEV
Base Price: $35,499
Options: $300 (Exterior Protection Package)
A/C Tax: $100
Freight & PDI: $1,565
Price as tested: $37,414

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