2012 was a big year for the Ford Focus because it saw the arrival of Ford’s first consumer-oriented battery-electric vehicle. The Focus Electric may be limited compared to the kind of EVs we’re used to these days but it was still a pioneer and remains a solid electric car even a decade later.

However, electric batteries don’t last forever and more than ten years on the road means that it may be time for the 2012 Focus to get its batteries changed.

Car insurance

won’t necessarily cover this repair, so here’s everything you need to know about a battery replacement for your 2012 Ford Focus Electric.

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How much does it cost to replace a 2012 Ford Focus Electric battery?

The cost to replace a 2012 Ford Focus Electric battery is approximately $14,000.

Yes, $14,000. The cost of its 23kWh lithium-ion battery pack first came out not long after the car rolled off the production lines, courtesy of Ford CEO Alan Mulally, who told the Brainstorm Green Conference: “They’re around $12,000 to $15,000 for a type of car that normally sells for about $22,000. So, you can see why the economics are what they are.”

Ten years later and the

price for a replacement battery

remains roughly in that ballpark. Unlike most types of automotive repair, there’s not much ambiguity about the costs of replacing a battery in an EV, with the labor costs usually coming in at around $1,100 to $1,600.

Unfortunately, the Ford battery warranty only covers the first 8 years or 100,000 miles (whichever comes first) so a 2012 Focus EV won’t be covered anymore. Even more, unfortunately, most insurance policies don’t cover the costs of repairs for normal wear and tear, which is likely to be the cause of your needing a new battery.

This leaves you needing to pay for the battery yourself at $14,000, which is more than you would probably pay to buy a used 2012 Ford Focus Electric, which retails for between $12,590 and $14,990 according to Edmunds.

Looking at those kinds of numbers it’s easy to see why Focus owners are tempted to just replace the whole car rather than just the battery. However, if you can afford the battery, there’s no reason why your 2012 Focus needs to be heading to the scrapyard yet.

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Can you put a new battery in an old Ford Focus Electric?

As we’ve seen, the cost of replacing the battery in a 2012 Ford Focus with a first gen battery pack can be prohibitively expensive. But could a newer model battery be a better option?

The 2012 version of the car only had a 23 kWh battery, whereas the 2017 model went up to 33.5 kWh, offering almost 50% more capacity and range. But before you get too excited, this isn’t necessarily a cheaper or easier option. There’s nothing official to even say that it is possible to update the battery on a 2012 Ford Focus Electric and it’s definitely a big job if you can.

While the costs of an upgrade can be between $11,000 and $14,000 with labor costs of around another $600 to factor in, it is still an option to not only replace an aging battery but also boost your driving range. But at that cost, you may also decide it would be better to just buy a replacement car altogether.

Ford Focus Electric battery capacity and range

Curious about how your 2012 Ford Focus Electric battery compares to the later models? The table below compares battery capacity and driving range for different Ford Focus models.

Model years	Battery capacity	Driving range
2012 – 2017	23 kWh	76 miles
2017 – 2018	3.5 kWh	115 miles

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How long does a 2012 Ford Focus Electric battery last?

The lifespan of a 2012 Ford Focus Electric 23 kWh battery pack is approximately 10 to 15 years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles. This isn’t as long as in newer electric vehicles and it’s why a Focus from 2012 may well need a replacement battery soon.

But there are some ways you can make sure your battery lasts longer, whether it’s the original one or a newer replacement:

Keep it cool. One major contributor to batteries degrading is the temperature, which is why some older models can suffer from shorter battery life because temperature control wasn’t factored in as much as it is in more modern EVs. But you can also play your part by trying to keep your Focus as cool as possible when driving or storing it. This might be easier said than done in some parts of the country, of course.

Be patient. Charing speed is always a factor for EV drivers, with most agreeing that it’s a case of the quicker the better. However, that’s not always the best thing for your vehicles. Fast chargers can wear your battery out more quickly, so it’s better to plan ahead and get your Focus charged up on Level 2 or Level 1 household adapters as much as possible.

100% isn’t everything. In these days of constantly charging our electrical devices (smartphones, smart watches, etc) we’re used to charging them up to 100% but this isn’t necessarily the best thing for them. Doing so can degrade the batters, so it’s better to charge up to 80% rather than 100% every time.

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