Ford Develops iPhone App To Track Focus Electric

One thing electric-vehicle owners might worry about is range, along with where to charge once that range is depleted. Ford is trying to alleviate those concerns with its smartphone app for its news Focus Electric.

MyFord Mobile app.

The app, called MyFord Mobile works like this: It can use a mapping function to locate the nearest charging stations, it can be used to remotely monitor the state of charge, it can pre-heat or pre-cool the car, it can coach a driver on how to improve his or her driving habits for maximum efficiency, it can help owners figure out the best time to charge to get the lowest rates, and it can be used to plan trips ahead of time.

This isn’t the first smartphone app for electric vehicles—Chevy has something similar on its extended-range electric Volt—but that doesn’t mean Focus Electric owners might not find it helpful. Owning and driving an electric car requires more planning ahead that owning a gasoline or diesel-powered vehicle—at least until technology and infrastructure catch up—and Ford is wise to give those who’d buy the Focus Electric a little extra piece of mind.

[Source: Ford]