California Focus Electric customers can now apply to receive a $2,500 tax rebate when the Focus Electric is purchased or leased for 36 months or longer. In addition to the state rebate, Focus Electric qualifies for the existing $7,500 federal tax credit.

Traffic congestion continues to worsen in California where, according to the Texas Transportation Institute’s annual Urban Mobility Report, Los Angeles and the San Francisco-Oakland metropolitan area rank No. 3 and 7, respectively, for the worst congestion in the US. In Los Angeles alone, this congestion contributed to a total of 38 million gallons of wasted fuel over the course of a year. This congestion costs the average Los Angeles commuter an additional $1,464 a year.

In California, the cost to fully charge the Focus Electric at night is between $1 and $2, enabling 76 miles of average driving. In a gasoline vehicle that gets a fuel-efficient 38 mpg at $5 per gallon, the cost to drive that same 76 miles is $10.

The Focus Electric CVRP rebate approval comes on the heels of receiving an EPA-certified 110 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) city rating and 99 MPGe on the highway. The approved label also will say customers could save $9,700 in fuel costs over the course of five years compared with the average new vehicle.

Ford will ramp up Focus Electric retail production in the first half of 2012 for dealership availability in California, New York and New Jersey. By the end of 2012, Focus Electric will be available in 19 markets across the US. Ford has already delivered the Focus Electric to key fleet customers and technology partners, such as Google.