Ford Ready for European Customer E-Transit Trials
Ford is ready to begin customer trials in Europe of its new BEV van, the E-Transit.
Prototypes of the all-electric version of the world’s best-selling cargo LCV will be joining customer fleets to operate in real-world conditions with major businesses in the supermarket, home delivery, postal services and utilities sectors across Germany, Norway and the UK. Ford’s European customer trials form part of an extensive development program for E‑Transit ahead of its launch in spring 2022.
Engineers will use data from the trials to help refine the vehicle’s next-level connected vehicle technology and range management features. Prototype vehicles assembled at Ford’s global commercial vehicle center of excellence in Dunton, England, will include van and chassis cab variants with conversions including refrigerated bodies, box vans, dropsides and interior racking. European customers will be offered a choice of body, length, roof height and Gross Vehicle Mass options from launch, giving 25 possible variants.
E-Transit’s load area is common with diesel-powered Transit models for ease of conversion, and to allow Transit operators to reuse existing racking with the all-electric van. A ProPower Onboard system delivers up to 2.3kW through standard plugs to power conversions and equipment in the cab and load area. Anticipated payload is up to 1,616kg (3,555lbs) for vans and up to 1,967kg (4,327lbs) for chassis cab models.
The BEV claims up to 200kW of power for a targeted WLTP range of up to 217 miles, supported by range-boosting technologies including Eco Mode and Scheduled Pre-Conditioning. Ford expects service cost of ownership to be approximately 40% lower compared with internal combustion engine-equipped models, as a result of lower maintenance expenses.
Andrew Mottram, E-Transit chief program engineer, commercial vehicles, Ford of Europe, said: “Real-world trials are an important step on our journey to deliver the all-electric E‑Transit and will give us an even better understanding of how to help customers across different industries enhance their productivity using zero-emission power.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
