The new Ford C-MAX Energi is expected to achieve more than 20 miles of electric range alone and a 550-mile overall range. The electric-only range of the C-MAX is nearly double the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid. The new plug-in is the first ever hybrid vehicle that can be driven from Sacramento to San Diego on a single tank of gas and make the average American commute without gasoline. C-MAX Energi delivers fuel economy that is the equivalent of 95 miles per gallon (MPGe) combined city/highway. C-MAX Energi is part of Ford’s first dedicated line of hybrid vehicles in North America and will soon be available at Ford’s certified electric-vehicle dealerships.

The C-MAX Hybrid, which is already available for order, is expected to be America’s most affordable hybrid utility vehicle with a base price of $25,995 inclusive of destination and delivery. The C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi figure prominently in Ford’s rollout of five electrified vehicles this year. “Ford’s electrified vehicles offer a great combination of efficiency, performance, technology and affordability that we believe will help spur adoption of these advanced vehicles,” says Kevin Layden, director, Ford Electrification Programs and Engineering. “C-MAX Energi not only offers leading efficiency, it has 50 more horsepower than the Prius plug-in hybrid along with class-exclusive technologies such as our hands-free liftgate and active park assist for easier parallel parking.”

Over 144,000 units of the five-passenger C-MAX gasoline and diesel versions have been sold in Europe since late 2010. Even though Ford is concentrating on hybrid versions of the C-MAX in the U.S, the designs of C-MAX Energi and C-MAX Hybrid are based on the diesel and gasoline powered European version. C-MAX Energi has a total system horsepower of 188 that stems from the combination of a gasoline engine and a battery-driven electric motor, which is similar to the C-MAX Hybrid. When powered by gasoline, the C-MAX Energi uses the all-new 2.0-L Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine. C-MAX Energi also offers the latest generation of SmartGauge with EcoGuide. The information such as instantaneous fuel economy can be displayed on one of the two 4.2-inch LCD screens. Also MyFordMobile Smartphone application is also available in this new model.