Ford says it will break 100-mpg barrier

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Ford Motor Co. said it would offer U.S. consumers in select markets a five-passenger vehicle rated at 100 miles per gallon in 2012.

The 2012 Ford Focus Electric is one of a battery of fuel-thrifty cars in development at Ford, The Detroit News reported Wednesday.

"Whether people want a hybrid, plug-in hybrid of full battery-electric vehicle, we have a family of vehicles for them to consider," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president for global product development.

One electric-powered car in development can be fully charged up in 3 hours using 240-volt power, the News said. The C-Max Hybrid, expected to hit showrooms in the later half of 2012, will do better in terms of fuel efficiency than the Toyota Prius v plug-in, Ford said.

In addition, the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid is expected to go 500 miles between re-charge or fill-ups.

The Focus Electric is expected to have a range that covers the daily driving habits of most U.S. drivers, Yahoo! Finance reported.

Ford is planning to launch the Focus in California and the metropolitan New York areas in 2012 and then add 15 markets across the country before the end of the year, as long as supplies are available.