The 2013 Ford C-MAX Energi plug-In hybrid is slated to arrive this fall. Ford has just announced that the C-MAX Energi has the industry’s top electric-only speed among all plug-in hybrid vehicles at 85 mph, which is 20 mph higher than the Prius plug-In hybrid.
The 2013 Ford C-MAX Energi plug-In hybrid is slated to arrive this fall. Ford has just announced that the C-MAX Energi has the industry’s top electric-only speed among all plug-in hybrid vehicles at 85 mph, which is 20 mph higher than the Prius plug-In hybrid.
“We understand customers place a high value on the zero-emission electrified driving experience,” said Ford Vice President of Powertrain Engineering Joe Bakaj. “This inspired our engineering team to equip the C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid with a button that enables drivers to choose an electric-only driving mode.”
The 2013 C-MAX Energi can also travel up to 20 miles in EV mode. It has an EV mode button mounted in the center stack that allows a driver to switch vehicle operation between three modes: Auto, Now and Later.
EV: Auto
“In EV: Auto mode, the vehicle automatically takes advantage of plug-in charge,” said Kevin Layden, Ford director of Electrification Programs and Engineering. “When the charge is depleted, C-MAX Energi operates as a full hybrid.”
The powertrain computer automatically selects the appropriate blend of battery usage and engine usage based on demand and the state of battery charge.
EV: Now
In EV: Now mode, the vehicle operates in EV mode using plug-in power. The gasoline engine will not operate unless an override setting is selected or certain conditions are present such as the accelerator pedal being fully depressed and the driver enabling the gas engine. EV: Now also activates a special Manage EV screen to monitor functionality.
To achieve the EV range estimate shown on the corresponding gauge, drivers are given coaching cues to maximize EV mode. Additionally, use of climate power and energy gauges will further help drivers manage vehicle energy use.
EV: Later
The EV: Later setting saves plug-in power for later use, like transitioning from highway to lower-speed residential neighborhood use. C-MAX Energi operates in normal hybrid mode, using both gas engine and electric motor. Plug-in power is reserved until the driver switches to the EV: Now or EV: Auto setting.
The 2013 C-MAX Energi starts at $29,995.
