Ford’s C-MAX Energi: 100 MPGe and Bests Its C-MAX Hybrid Brother on TCO!

[xcel]

Can it recoup the upfront and total cost of ownership? More than likely it will

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Oct. 11, 2012

Ford C-MAX Energi PHEV-20 (guesstimate) mile all-electric range (AER) - $29,995 (incl. delivery and after federal tax credit) to start is now rated at a 100 MPGe combined rating!

This morning Ford released the much anticipated announcement that their all-new C-MAX Energi PHEV is now rated at a best-in-class combined EPA-certified rating of 100 MPGe, topping the Toyota Prius PHEVs combined rating by 5 MPGe.

While Ford touts a $7,000 fuel savings, it is when compared to something fuel less efficient yet more efficient then their current 20 mpg rated FWD Ford Explorer or 22 mpg rated Edge, both with the 3.5L. We’ll go a few steps further and compare to the current C-MAX hybrid and I think you will find the total costs compelling in a very good way

The Math

Forget Ford’s PR math as it is rosy scenario vs. Pickup trucks and SUVs.

Over 150,000 miles, the C-MAX Energi owner (if it receives the 47 MPG on the liquid gold) with gasoline at $4.00 per and electricity at $0.12 per kWh would spend $9,083 on fuel ($6,383) and electricity ($2,700). This is based on traveling ½ of the 150,000 miles on the plug at 300 Wh/mile. In the real world, the C-MAX hybrid is not living up to its 47 mpg billing so the average C-MAX Energi driver might see 38 MPG actual when on the “gas” bringing the refueling/reenergizing cost up to $10,595 USD for a lifetime of hitting the road.

Compare this to the C-MAX hybrid itself at 38 mpg (again using what the online reports are receiving) over 150,000 miles at an average of $4.00 per costs $15,789 USD.

Not only is it tough to imagine gasoline averaging just $4.00 per gallon over the next 10-years, the savings over the life of the C-MAX Energi by comparison to the C-MAX is significant enough to make the $29,995 (after $7,500 Fed tax credit if you qualify) worth your $’s and “sense”

Unique Three EV modes

The EV mode button allows a driver to opt for electric-only driving without gasoline engine power, normal hybrid mode where the powertrain melds electric and gasoline engine power as appropriate, or a battery-saving mode that reserves the pack power for later use.

When plug-in power is available, drivers can change modes with each press of the EV mode button. The mode currently selected is displayed in the driver’s left instrument cluster screen.

EV: Auto - The vehicle runs on the PHEV charge (CD mode or charge depletion) until depleted and then reverts to Hybrid mode (CS or charge sustaining).

EV: Now - The vehicle operates in EV mode using stored batter power until it is depleted 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: Later – This setting saves stored battery power for later use. The C-MAX Energi operates in normal hybrid mode (CS), using both gas engine and electric motor with the stored plug-in power (CD) reserved until the driver switches to the EV: Now or EV: Auto.

At $29,995 incl. deliver and handling after the $3,750 tax credit, it is simply a good deal. The C-MAX Energi is covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile component warranty and is more affordable than the Prius PHEV upfront and C-MAX hybrid on a TCO basis. Ford says the Energi will arrive in Ford dealership showrooms later this fall.

[CRT1]

Its about time for a PHEV that makes $ense to own.

I suspect some owners will be able to do 2/3 or more of their driving on the plug and then you are talking a much shorter payback.

[RedylC94]

Was "Energi" or PHEV supposed to be included in the thread title?

You're making me curious what I could get out of either version of the C-Max!

[ALS]

What you're not looking at is the trade in or sale premium on gently used versions. Prii by me are selling for top dollar. You can buy a new one drive it for three years and sell it for three thousand to four thousand less than what you paid for it. Probably saving $2,000 to $2,300 in gasoline during that period of ownership over a normal none hybrid vehicle.

Remember Hybrids do hold their value better than other vehicles when you have high fuel prices. I expect nothing less for these new Plug in versions.

[xcel]

Hi RedylC94:

Oh wait, magically it is

Wayne

[wick1ert]

Wayne, except you missed a letter in that magical change. You may want to review your spell

This is interesting. I'm a little disappointed to see 38 avg on the C-Max Hybrid. On my typical drives, I could pull EV probably the entire way, and most of the way in Winter. I drive on average 18 miles/day and only briefly above 50 MPH. Most of my driving longer than that usually is due to an errand after work or a longer trip somewhere which would be mostly highway driving so I would expect to be closer to the 45 MPG range. Too bad the economics don't work out since I have my Prius paid off and it's pulling 45ish MPG on average during a year.

[xcel]

Hi Matt:

That was a different title from a bygone era

Regarding the 38 mpg number, I used that because of what I am seeing online and Jesse's multiple drives of it the past two weeks. It will possibly not be a 47 mpgUS achieving car for anybody other than some of the best here even if it is rated at that per the EPA?

Wayne

[priusCpilot]

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi Matt:

That was a different title from a bygone era

Regarding the 38 mpg number, I used that because of what I am seeing online and Jesse's multiple drives of it the past two weeks. It will possibly not be a 47 mpgUS achieving car for anybody other than some of the best here even if it is rated at that per the EPA?

Wayne

I didn't think that was possible? I though the EPA number was achievable just driving like mostly everyone? Even me not knowing anything got 51mpg on my first tank with the C?

I thought the car was ugly but getting below EPA at 38mpg is even worse! The car was very heavy which shocked me to see 47mpg but thought it must be true anyhow? I would go Prius V if in the market my self.

[herm]

now lets do a comparison with the 70 mile EV range Volt

[RedylC94]

Herm, in that comparison, don't forget to factor in the difference in usable space. On that basis, the Volt would be impractical for many people, probably including me.

pCp, I think you were right about the Energi's shocking weight. In real life, all that mass probably impacts fuel consumption more than it does in the EPA tests, at least on a hybrid, where regenerative braking in the tests is big factor.