You need to check with the Ford dealer to confirm but I don't think the A/C system is electrical driven yet. However, there are supposedly some other system changes that improve gas mileage again.

I have a FWD 08, live in SW Michigan (135 inches of snow this year) and haven't seen a need for AWD. We traded in a FWD mini-van with traction control and it never faltered in the snow either. The FEH is very solid but compared to the van, the shorter wheelbase and high center of gravity results in a rougher ride and a little more "nervous" handling. Nothing bothersome though.