Ford Focus BEV – testers wanted

Ford are looking for testers for their Electric Focus (BEV) based in the Hillingdon area of London.

Back at Frankfurt last month, Ford revealed the Focus BEV, a plug-in electric Focus which they told us they were intending trialing in the New Year. Well, things are moving on and Ford are now looking for 20 testers who live in Hillingdon to go play with the Focus BEV.

Much like MINI with the MINI E, Ford are using Joe Public to test and trial their Focus BEV. But they’re being a bit more contained. The MINI E was up for grabs – and in bigger numbers – in most of the South East, but Ford is concentrating on just the one London Borough.

But they’re being thorough; not only will the testers get a domestic charging point installed, but there will be a number of recharging points installed in Hillingdon.

With battery technology as it is, the Focus BEV doesn’t have a great range – just 75 miles – but as we’ve said before, if the electric car is aimed at close-to-home city and urban motoring it has it’s place.

Unlike the MINI E Ford are not inviting open application to be a tester. Instead, Hillingdon Council will be contacting local residents to see if they want to get involved. But at least they’ll have a real car to play with.

The MINI E only has two seats and to compound the problem it only comes in LHD.