(October 12, 2012) DEARBORN, Mich. — With many Americans facing record gasoline prices, the all-new Ford C-MAX Energi is America’s most fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid with an EPA-certified 108 miles-per-gallon equivalent (MPGe) city rating and 100 MPGe combined rating.
 


Ford says that over the course of five years, C-MAX Energi customers could save nearly $7,000 compared with the average new vehicle, according to the federal EPA label. Comparative savings could go even higher if the current trend of rising gas prices continues.
 
The C-MAX Energi’s 100 MPGe combined rating beats the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid’s combined rating by 5 MPGe. With a starting price of $29,995, after federal tax credit and including destination and delivery costs, C-MAX Energi is expected to be America’s most affordable plug-in hybrid.
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rating places the C-MAX Energi in an elite group of production vehicles that have received EPA ratings of 100 MPGe or greater. This group includes the Ford Focus Electric at 110 MPGe in the city. The Fusion Energi plug-in hybrid, due out in early 2013, is projected to deliver 100+ MPGe. The addition of the Fusion Energi will help create one of the industry’s most fuel-efficient car lineups.
 
“Ford is giving customers the power of choice for leading fuel economy regardless of what type of vehicle or powertrain technology they choose,” said John Davis, chief nameplate engineer, C-MAX Energi. “With $5-per-gallon gasoline, C-MAX Energi customers essentially will pay $1.25 per gallon for the same distance traveled compared with average vehicles estimated to achieve 23 mpg.”
 
The C-MAX Energi joins the C-MAX Hybrid as part of Ford’s first hybrid-only dedicated line of vehicles. C-MAX Hybrid, available in dealerships this fall, is now officially EPA-certified at 47 mpg city, 47 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined — beating Toyota Prius v by up to 7 mpg.

Many of the innovative technologies in C-MAX Energi are shared across Ford’s electrified vehicle lineup and draw from the automaker’s portfolio of about 500 patents related specifically to hybrid technology. Further, C-MAX Energi is projected to deliver 15 class-exclusive features.