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Ford Fusion Energi Forum

Energi Charging Rate?


chex383
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Hi, I just discovered the Energi as a new entrant as a PHEV to compete against the Volt, and I like it a lot.

Just wondering, what is the charging rate of the charger? is it 3 or 6 KWatts? Not seeing it documented anywhere. If its a 6KW  charger that is a huge advantage over the Volt to get fast recharging on trips. (despite only having a 21 mile range)

 

Thanks, Stefan in Montreal

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Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

The Fusion Energi and C-Max Energi both have 3.3kw onboard chargers.  It takes approximately 2 1/2 hours for a full charge from a totally depleted battery at 240V.  The Focus Electric comes with a 6.6kw charger.

Hi there: yes, I have driven the Focus Electric several times, and its a nice car. That's a bummer the Energi only charges at 3.3 Kw, but I guess it makes sense with that small of a battery pack. 

 

Anyways, I am keeping an eye on it as a potential PHEV to buy next year. :) 

 

Thanks, Stefan

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What's bewildering is GM went with a 3.3 charger on the Volt. That really makes no sense with the size of battery it has.

 

As mentioned the Focus has a standard 6.6 charger which is sized appropriately for its larger battery IMHO.

 

The Leaf has a standard 3.3 charger (another bewildering decision) but Nissan charges extra for an optional 6.6.

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The Honda Accord PHEV they're getting ready to roll out has a slightly smaller battery pack than the Fusion does, BUT, for some insane reason, they dropped a 6.6kw charger in it, giving it a 1 hour recharge time.  Probably work great in the winter but I wonder how often it's going to go in to thermal reduction mode in the summer?  I couldn't find anything about how they control the battery climate (if it's liquid or air cooled).

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I read this article about the Accord PHEV.  It seems as though the battery will be air cooled but perhaps you understand it better than I do.

 

Two-motor plug-in hybrid system. In addition to the 2.0L Atkinson engine, the plug-in system includes an electric-coupled CVT (e-CVT), integrated Power Control Unit (PCU), and Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) including the battery pack, cooling fans, DC/DC converter, on-board charger and battery control unit. The CVT is mated with the engine in the position of a conventional transmission. The PCU is positioned above the e-CVT and cooled by an independent water cooling circuit. Functions of the PCU include high-voltage inverters, Voltage Control Unit (VCU) and motor/generator ECU (Electric Control Unit).

 

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2013/04/accord-20130417.html

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  • 3 weeks later...

My charging time using the Level 1, 120 volt charger (supplied) has been 5 hours 30 minutes which is a full hour less than what the book estimates.  This is charging an empty HV battery, or zero miles remaining.

 

I wonder if Level 2 charging will be quicker than the 2.5 hour estimate as well?  I just ordered a Clipper Creek LCS 25P 240 volt charger.

 

Steve

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  • 3 months later...

Shaggy: Yep, that sounds about right. The Focus Electric when pulling the full 6.6 KW off a L2, charges at about 25 miles/hour, which is double the 9-11 miles you see with the Fusion at 3.3.  It's definitely not a huge deal as you say with the smaller pack on the Fusion.. The only time it would be handy is when you are on the road, and in the middle of a trip, when you stop for a 30-40 min food break, your battery would almost be full after that time, instead of just 1/3 of the way charged. and you would get that extra 10-15 miles of driving on electric instead of gas.. but on a long roadtrip, pretty insignifgant difference.  Other than that scenario, not really needed. 

 

Energized: starting in 2013, the Leaf got a 6.6KW charger I think standard, upgraded from 3.3, which I think was sorely needed for a pure EV.  

 

Thanks, Stefan

 

 

Or tossing out all those 'confusing' numbers think of it this way:

3-4 miles per hour of charge at 110

9-11 miles per hour of charge at 220

 

ish... and summer or winter will move the numbers (heater or A/C).

 

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Shaggy: Yep, that sounds about right. The Focus Electric when pulling the full 6.6 KW off a L2, charges at about 25 miles/hour, which is double the 9-11 miles you see with the Fusion at 3.3.  It's definitely not a huge deal as you say with the smaller pack on the Fusion.. The only time it would be handy is when you are on the road, and in the middle of a trip, when you stop for a 30-40 min food break, your battery would almost be full after that time, instead of just 1/3 of the way charged. and you would get that extra 10-15 miles of driving on electric instead of gas.. but on a long roadtrip, pretty insignifgant difference.  Other than that scenario, not really needed. 

 

Energized: starting in 2013, the Leaf got a 6.6KW charger I think standard, upgraded from 3.3, which I think was sorely needed for a pure EV.  

 

Thanks, Stefan

 

Just a thought, but would not be a real big advantage on the road to charge at 6.6 unless you were traveling back roads at lower speeds (and then you would not find a L2 charger). 

 

When ever I hit the highway I always go for the EV later button, as once you get up to speed that battery drains very quickly! Maybe by the time this car is ready for a replacement the size/weight will be significantly better to allow for more range making it worth using on the highway. Maybe then it would be upgrading the on board charger too. 

 

If the 3.3 charger was a place where they could reduce cost, I think they made a wise choice.  I am far from a battery expert, but I think that charging the battery slower will also help with the life of the battery.

Edited by meyersnole
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Energized: starting in 2013, the Leaf got a 6.6KW charger I think standard, upgraded from 3.3, which I think was sorely needed for a pure EV.  

 

The LEAF still has a 3.6kW charger as standard.  The 6.6 is available as a standalone option for $1250 on the 2014 S models and includes DC charging.  

The higher trim levels, SV and SL, include the 6.6 charger along with a higher price tag.

Edited by Energized
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