There’s a new technology upon us, and one that is unique for meshing coaching, social networking and fun in a green way. The Ford MyFord® Mobile app will allow Focus Electric owners to use a feature called Value Charging powered by Microsoft to optimize charging times, which can lower the utility bill by automatically charging the Focus Electric at off-peak times when energy is cheapest. This is an industry-exclusive to Ford! But wait, there’s more: You can also monitor charging, get alerts, find charging stations and share info from your smartphone or computer to places such as Facebook and Twitter.

What do we mean by coaching? The MyFord Mobile app and the Electric join forces to make your driving experience more efficient. What do we mean by social networking? The MyFord Mobile website will have leaderboards and networking within the community forum, where you can share your driving experience, answer questions drivers may have and provide helpful tips to others. And what do we mean by fun? As with a video game, you can earn achievements based on how far you drive and how much CO2 you save by not using gas. The leaderboards will help you track your driving results against other Focus Electric drivers.

There are also “surprise achievements” embedded in the app based on your activities (a concept similar to “Easter eggs” in a video game, scoring you extra points).

MyFord Mobile was announced in early 2011 as a social platform to revolutionize the electric vehicle driving experience. Read more about the app by clicking here. In November, the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) named the app winner of the software and mobile app category. Additionally, CES awarded MyFord Mobile the “Best of Innovation” recognition, a first for an OEM. Ford will showcase the beta version and new social networking components of the MyFord Mobile app with the new Focus Electric for the first time, live at the 2012 International CES, January 10-13, 2012, in Las Vegas. Click here to see all of our stories relating to the 2012 International CES.

The Focus Electric will be available through dealers in the first half of this year.