It may not go on sale here until early spring 2022, but Ford have revealed their new an all-electric E-Transit.
Ford boasts that of the world’s best-selling cargo van will feature the next level of connected vehicle technology and services, as well as the signature Transit capability, conversions and dealer support that fleet owners depend on.
Ford are describing the new E-Transit van as a smart workhorse that will offer customers enhanced productivity enabled by its fully electric powertrain, software solutions, services and ‘Pro Power Onboard’ options
Ford says that the E-Transit targets an estimated WLTP driving range of up to 350 km, which it says is roughly three times the distance the average EU fleet driver covers daily.
It adds that ‘Pro Power Onboard’ turns E-Transit into a mobile power source with up to 2.3 kW to help customers use tools and recharge equipment at job sites etc. That’s an industry first for light commercial vehicles in Europe.
A standard ‘FordPass Connect’ modem will, according to Ford, deliver connectivity to help commercial vehicle customers optimise fleet efficiency, including easily finding and paying for charging on-the-go; over-the-air updates will upgrade nav and other features.
Ford also promises lower maintenance expenses help deliver estimated 40 per cent saving in service cost of ownership versus diesel models. And it boasts that the E-Transit will offer best-in-class, one-year, unlimited mileage service intervals.
The blue oval brand also says that the E-Transit will offer European customers a generous choice of body, length, roof height and Gross Vehicle Mass options, giving 25 possible variants. Payload is targeted up to 1,616 kg for the van and up to 1,967 kg for the chassis cab models.
In Europe, customers will benefit from a best-in-class, one-year, unlimited mileage service offering that sits alongside the eight-year, 160,000 km warranty package for the battery and high-voltage electric components.
The new E-Transit is backed by Ford’ dealers and it also benefits from collaborations with hundreds of converters and vehicle modifiers worldwide, who provide compatible racks, bins and accessories on diesel-powered Transits.
E-Transit, which starts arriving with European customers in early 2022, is part of Ford’s more than $11.5 billion global investment in Ford vehicle electrification.
E-Transit’s drive modes are tailored to its electric powertrain. A special Eco Mode aims to provide up to an 8-10 per cent improvement in energy usage if E-Transit is driven unladen with spirited acceleration or at highway speeds, according to Ford data. Eco Mode limits top speed, regulates acceleration and optimises climate control to help maximise the available driving range.
The vehicle also supports Scheduled Pre-Conditioning, enabling the climate control system to be programmed to adjust the cabin to the preferred temperature while the vehicle is still on charge, and according to Ford, this ensures that the maximum driving range is available.
Ford says it also will offer a variety of charging solutions to fit fleet and driver needs, whether at home, at a place of business or on the road. E-Transit features both AC charging and DC fast-charging. The vehicle’s 11.3 kW on-board charger is capable of delivering a 100 per cent charge in up to 8.2 hours. 4 Charging with up to 115 kW using a high-power DC fast-charger, E?Transit can top-up the battery from 15 per cent to 80 per cent in around 34 minutes.
Designed with uncompromised cargo volume capacity, E-Transit’s battery is located underneath the body, providing up to 15.1 cubic meters of cargo space, 8 the same as a rear-wheel drive diesel Transit.
E-Transit for customers in Europe targets up to 1,616 kg payload for the van and up to 1,967 kg for the chassis cab models.8 The vehicle’s electric motor has a peak output of 198 kW (269 PS ) and 430 Nm of torque, making it the most powerful motor of any fully electric cargo van sold in Europe. The rear-wheel drive layout ensures outstanding traction when the vehicle is heavily laden.
In Europe, Ford will offer a generous choice of 25 E-Transit configurations, with van, double-cab-in-van and chassis cab body styles, multiple length and roof-height options, and a range of gross vehicle mass options up to 4.25 tonnes, to support a wide variety of customer needs.
Following the successful city partnerships featuring the Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid, Ford says that it will be undertaking extensive customer fleet trials with E-Transit in key European markets, starting during 2021.
More at a later date on the E-Transit before its arrival here in Ireland.
