Ford has announced the launch of its new all-electric E-Transit van. The Ford Transit, which has been in production in various guises for 55 years, will now be available with a zero-emission fully-electric powertrain. It will feature a 67 kWh battery giving the E-Transit an estimated driving range of up to 217 miles (350 km)
The E-Transit will feature different driving modes that are tailored to its electric powertrain. A special Eco Mode aims to provide between 8-10 percent improvement in energy usage. It achieves this by limiting top speed, regulating acceleration and optimising climate control to help maximise the available driving range.
The E-Transit also enables the climate control system to be programmed to adjust the cabin to the preferred temperature while the vehicle is charging. This helps to ensure that the maximum driving range is available.
Ford says that the new E-Transit will help to lower maintenance costs and estimates a 40 per cent saving in servicing versus a diesel model. In Europe, customers will also benefit from a one-year unlimited mileage servicing, along with an eight-year 99,419-mile (160,000km) warranty package for the battery and high-voltage electric components.
European customers will have a choice of 25 possible configurations with body length, roof height and gross vehicle mass options to suit a wide variety of needs. The payload is targeted up to 1,616 kg for the van and up to 1,967 kg for the chassis cab models. The E-Transit will start arriving with European customers in early 2022 and is part of Ford’s more than £8.7 billion ($11.5 billion/€10.3 billion) global investment in electrification throughout 2022.
Hans Schep, general manager commercial vehicles, Ford of Europe, said: “Electrification brings new ways for customers to manage their businesses and fleets more efficiently. With E-Transit this is delivered with more than 55 years of Transit expertise, a network of expert dealers and converters, and an ecosystem of digital tools that will help translate the potential of electrification into a business reality. All that, and the benefits of zero-emission transportation.”
Jim Farley, Ford’s president and CEO, said: “Ford is North America and Europe’s commercial vehicle leader, so the transition of fleet vehicles to zero emissions, especially for the fast-growing last-mile delivery segment, is critical to achieve our carbon neutral goal by 2050. It’s good for the planet and a huge advantage for customers with lower operating costs and new connected technologies that will help their businesses.”
