Ford Holds an "Open House": First Drive of Four Hot Cars

The invitation from Ford Motor Company promised automotive journalists a rare treat: an informal opportunity to just drop in and drive some of the company's hottest new vehicles. Of course, AskPatty was there!

One of the biggest draws was a chance to drive the Ford Focus Electric, which I've had my eye on since seeing it demonstrated at last year's Detroit Auto Show. 

Mitsubishi's i-MiEV: Living Life Electric

My teenage daughter was not impressed when I pulled up to her school in the Mitsubishi i-MiEV.

"It's kind of funny looking," she sniffed.

I agreed - but in a good way. The i's rounded snout, high domed top and tiny wheels give it a cartoon-y appearance -- but also translate into a comfortable, practical interior with plenty of headroom and cargo space.

But my daughter wasn't convinced. "The door is really light," she added. Of course, the all-electric vehicle weighs about 1,000 pounds less than our family Volvo -- it's been designed to squeeze more range out of a single charge. 

All About Range

Just hours before, Mitsubishi delivered the test vehicle to my home in a truck, which allowed me to begin driving with a full charge. The fleet driver showed me where to find the charging kit and how it works. He also demonstrated how to monitor my range, which was indicated on the dashboard display as 52 miles.

However, that figure was just an estimate. The car's actual range can be affected by driving habits: like which of its three modes you are using, whether or not you're running the air conditioning, radio, USB devices -- or even the outside temperature. Also, Mitsubishi equipped the i-MiEV with a regenerative braking system, which converts motion energy from deceleration into power -- thereby extending the range of the vehicle.

"Planning is key with this vehicle," he said. "Know your route and where you can go if you need a charge."

Obviously, those who switch to electric power are going to have to put a lot more planning into their driving routine. All-electric vehicles like the i-MiEV are not meant for everyone.

Like that of my husband, who was incredulous that the i's range on a single charge is only about 50-60 miles. "That's absolutely useless for me," he scoffed.

This is true. The i is not designed for someone like my husband, who must drive to job sites throughout Southern California. 

But it's not an unreasonable choice for someone like me, who typically drives just 30-40 miles per day (to and from school, running local errands, etc.) I still end up using about a tank of gas per week, which at current California prices runs me about $200 per month. The EPA estimates that the annual energy cost of the Mitsubishi i is just $550 - which in my case, would translate to $1850 per year in fuel savings. Not too shabby.

The initial cost of the car might be a larger hurdle to ownership. The base MSRP is $29,125 -- which is roughly twice the price of a comparable fuel-efficient economy car like Hyundai's Accent or the Nissan Versa. However, there's an available $7,500 Federal tax credit that applies to the purchase of the i-MiEV (which phases out after 200,000 are sold), and several states offer additional credits and rebates which can bring the cost down considerably. 

And of course, electric vehicle owners get the satisfaction of knowing they are helping to reduce carbon emissions.

Driving the Mitsubishi i

The first thing I noticed when I got the key to the i was that it was an actual key. There's No Prius-type button to push: You start the car the traditional way, by putting the key into the ignition and turning it.

However, you'll have to look at the dashboard display to confirm that the electric engine is on, because it is so unnervingly quiet. That silent engine is something I would have to get used to.

On the other hand, the vehicle's key fob is a technological wonder, which allows you to monitor the battery charging and even to pre-heat or cool the vehicle 30 minutes before you use it.

I found the Mitsubishi-i exceedingly fun to drive. It's responsive and handles well. It may be small, but the electric motor provides powerful torque that translates into quick acceleration for passing larger, slower vehicles or just getting onto the freeway. Its top speed is only 81 mph -- but that's more than I need for the kind of driving I do.

The model I tested came fully loaded with a rear-view camera, navigation system, bluetooth, and USB port.

But the car was not at all luxurious on the inside. When designing the i, Mitsubishi had to balance between functionality and power usage -- so it's low on features that might affect battery range or add to vehicle weight. There's no option for leather seats, although the higher priced SE trim will get you a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a driver's side seat heater.

The "i" also features just one cupholder in the entire vehicle, which could be an issue if you're driving around with kids.

Charging Issues

Mitsubishi lent me the i-MiEV for three days, and I neglected to carve out a spot for it in my garage prior to its delivery. So I never got a chance to try charging it at home. 

There are different levels of electric charging for the i-MiEV. Had I allowed the battery to drain, a full (level 1) charge using a standard 120 volt electrical outlet would have taken approximately 22 hours. However, if you drive just 20 or 30 miles in a day, you won't need as much time to top off the battery power. And Mitsubishi assures customers that frequent charging doesn't affect the performance of the i-MiEV's advanced lithium ion battery.

EV buyers may want to consider installing a 240-volt (level 2) home charging station that manufacturers recommend - this gets the re-charge time down to about 7 hours.

The vehicle I drove included a third ultra-efficient Level 3 option for delivering an 80% charge in just 30 minutes. Unfortunately, the infrastructure for this CHAdeMO protocol is still being built, and there are no such public charging stations in my area. 

In fact, the public station at my local mall turned out to have an old type of charger that is incompatible with new EV's (which thankfully, are now using a standard protocol).

I ended up taking the "i" on just two separate 20-mile drives (including a stretch on the freeway), with both the A/C and the radio on. The vehicle's display still showed an estimated 30-miles left on that initial charge. 

I think I could do very well with an EV lifestyle. As long as I remember to clean out the garage.

Donna Schwartz Mills is a Los Angeles-based writer who also contributes to CBS Digital Local Los Angeles and her personal site,SoCal Mom.

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Hybrids, Electrics, and Alternatives! Oh My!

Hybrids vs. Alternative Fuel vs. Electric Cars: Which Helps You Save the Most Money?

 Driving isn't exactly synonymous with living green and saving money. But with the ever-rising cost of gas, car manufacturers are looking to improve fuel economy and cut costs for owners. Electric, hybrid and alternative fuel cars are gaining popularity as a way to save money at the pump.

Unfortunately, this problem isn't so simple. Saving money as a car owner isn't just about the current price of gas and how much is used. Other factors to consider include the cost of the car itself, the cost of electricity or the alternative fuel source, potential tax credits and maintenance.

Hybrid or Electric: The Pros and Cons

With the most recent spike in gas prices promising not-so-promising future outlook on fuel costs, heading to your local dealership and buying a Nissan Leaf may be tempting. Undoubtedly, hybrid and electric vehicles are the wave of the future. However, before jumping into an expensive car purchase, be sure that you are fully educated on the types of alternative-fuel vehicles, how they operate and what you can expect from your purchase. Here are some key points to consider if you’re in the market for something a little more friendly on your wallet: 

"Green" Auto Tips Not Just for Earth Day

Brought to you by ASE - National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence

When it comes to celebrating Earth Day and helping the environment, vehicle owners and drives should not feel left out. By changing a few habits, motorists can do their part in helping the environment, say the experts at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).  

ASE recommends regular vehicle maintenance and better driving habits as two easy-to-implement strategies. What’s more, better automotive habits will help your vehicle last longer and command a better resale price.

Give Water a Brake!

Earthgarage.com, a consumer website that helps drivers make their cars greener has launched a state-by-state petition to ban copper and other hazardous materials in automotive brake pads.

The Give Water a Brake campaign aims to highlight the fact that traditional brake pads consist of some nasty materials including copper.  Every time a driver steps on the brakes, material come off the pads in the form of brake dust which winds up in the run-off and can then contaminate the water supply for animals and humans alike.

California and Washington have already passed legislation that will eventually remove all copper from brake pads.

“The idea is to pressure the rest of the U.S. and our neighbors in Canada to step up and pass legislation that will begin phasing out copper and other hazardous materials in brake pads,” stated Bob Leonard, CEO of Green Automotive Alliance and founder of Earthgarage.com. “We believe this grassroots effort will eventually influence national legislation.”

This initiative is sponsored by EcoStop, the only manufacturer of copper-free ceramic brake pads currently on the market.

Add the Give Water a Brake Petition to your site or blog!  Embed code is available here - http://earthgarage.com/Give-Water-A-Brake.html

Full press release from February 7, 2012 is here.

Green Driving Tips Provided by EarthGarage,com

 

What’s new in Green for Cars

Used Oil Recycling Program

http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov

The Facts About Re-Refined Oil

What is Re-Refined Oil?

Re-refined oil is used motor oil that undergoes an extensive re-refining process to remove contaminants to produce a good-as-new base oil. This base oil is then sold to blenders who add additive packages to produce lubricants such as motor oil, transmission fluid, and grease. The main difference between re-refined and virgin oil products is that re-refined represents the responsible choice for the environment.

Are Re-Refined Lubricants Safe to Use?

Lubricants made from re-refined base stocks must undergo the same testing and meet the same standards as virgin lubricants in order to receive the certification of the American Petroleum Institute (API). Vehicle and engine manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, and Detroit Diesel have issued warranty statements that allow the use of re-refined oil as long as it meets API standards. Many government and private fleets have used re-refined lubricants in their vehicles for years and report no difference in performance from virgin lubricants.

CarCare.org: Steps to a “Greener” Car

It doesn’t matter if the car you’re driving is new or old, big or small. There are preventive maintenance steps every vehicle owner can take to make sure their car is as “green” or environmentally friendly as possible, according to the Car Care Council.

By following a few simple preventive maintenance steps, you can help protect the environment by improving gas mileage, which in turn saves money at the pump.

Kelley Blue Book Polls on Fuel Economy - The Good and the Bad

Kelley Blue Book is constantly keeping a finger on the pulse of the auto consumer by conducting frequent surveys, and I've featured them here on the Ask Patty blog in the past.  I do keep an eye on them, and bring them to your attention if I find something that I find interesting, and well, here I am.

This post is actually a comparison of two polls, both of which concern fuel prices and our reaction to them.  Now, it's no secret that petroleum based gasoline is not getting any cheaper, and it's also clear (to me at least) that we're going to have to do something.  Fast.  These two polls speak to just that, but the results of less than wonderful.  But first we'll focus on the positive - head past the jump to take a look.

Roush Fenway Racing Closes the Loop with Valvoline NexGen

Last year, we told you about Valvoline's new NexGen oil product, a recycled motor oil that is amazing chemically indiscernable from non-recycled oil.  Well, it seems to be catching on - Roush Fenway has decided to switch all its Sprint Cup and Nationwide teams to Valvoline NextGen motor oil technology for the duration of the 2012 NASCAR season, and their change started at the 54th annual Daytona 500 race this week.

NextGen motor oil is made of 50 percent recycled motor oil and aims to deliver exactly the same quality as their standard motor oils, with a significantly reduced impact on the environment. Valvoline's "Closing the Loop" slogan represents a step towards reducing our dependence on foreign crude oil and preserving our existing resources by collecting and returning your used oil for recycling, and then refilling crankcases with NextGen. 

Ask Patty applauds Valvoline and the entire RFR team for taking this amazing step, and we hope to see more teams making the switch to a more environmentally responsible solution in the future.  Congrats, RFR and Valvoline!

Read their entire press release here.

Kaeli Gardner AskPatty.com