FORD 2014 Focus Electric - Manual (Page 155)

If the anti-lock brake system is disabled, normal braking is still
effective. If the brake warning lamp illuminates with the parking
brake released, have your brake system serviced immediately.
Regenerative braking system
Your vehicle uses a feature known as regenerative braking. This is used to
simulate the engine braking of an internal combustion engine and assist the
standard brake system while recovering some of the energy of motion and
storing it in the battery to improve fuel economy. The standard brake
system is designed to fully stop the car if regenerative braking is not
available. During regenerative braking, the motor is spun as a generator to
create electrical current. This recharges the battery and slows the vehicle.
In effect, once the accelerator pedal is released, the motor changes from an
energy user to an energy producer.
When the accelerator pedal is released or the brake pedal is applied,
the brake controller automatically detects the amount of deceleration
requested and optimizes how much of the deceleration will be produced
by regenerative braking. The remaining portion is generated by standard
friction braking. When the battery is almost fully charged, the amount of
regenerative braking is limited to avoid overcharging, and the requested
deceleration is produced by standard friction braking alone.
Regenerative braking does not take the place of the standard friction
brakes; it only assists them. Regenerative braking has also been designed
to interact with the anti-lock brake system. Regenerative braking is
disabled when the anti-lock brake system is activated or the battery is
fully charged.
HINTS ON DRIVING WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES
When the system is operating, the brake pedal will pulse and may travel
further. Maintain pressure on the brake pedal. You may also hear a noise
from the system. This is normal.
The anti-lock braking system will not eliminate the dangers inherent when:
• you drive too closely to the vehicle in front of you.
• your vehicle is hydroplaning.
• you take corners too fast.
• the road surface is poor.
154 Brakes
2014 Focus Electric Vehicle (fob)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing, May 2013
USA (fus)