The electric version of the famous van offers two power levels (184 and 269 hp), a range of up to 317 km on a single charge and 25 variants of body styles.
Ford has just launched in Spain the 100% electric version of the Transit, the best-selling cargo van in the world since 2014 and with a reputation for being agile and resistant. Dubbed E-Transit, the electric van is just the first of a wide range of electric vehicles to hit the market in the coming years.
Coming in 2023 are the one-tonne E-Transit Custom and the E-Tourneo Custom multi-purpose vehicle. A year later, in 2024, the new generation, more compact E-Transit Courier van will also be available, in addition to the E-Tourneo Courier multipurpose vehicle. All of them with passenger or minivan versions.
The E-Transit, which will be the largest of the five electric models planned for 2024, leads the launch in Europe of Ford Pro, the new services business of the American brand that will have five areas: vehicle sales, software management , ease of recharging, financing and services, including 38 centers in Spain specifically geared towards Ford commercial vehicles.
Ford Pro offers free public charging service for one year and unlimited mileage (from the second year it costs 3 euros per month), and an eight-year, 160,000 km warranty for all high-voltage electrical components, which includes coverage for excessive degradation (70% of battery capacity), as well as a one-year roadside assistance package for electric vehicles that includes rescue charging.
The Ford E-Transit has the same size and cargo capacity as the combustion versions. The location of the battery, situated under the floor suspended between the two axles, allows the cargo space of the famous Transit to be maintained and improves the vehicle’s stability thanks to a lower center of gravity. We have tested it in Barcelona and the comfort is surprising thanks, in part, to a good setting of the suspension (soft, but not excessively) that allows it to absorb potholes and speed bumps quite easily. In addition, the cabin is very well soundproofed.
The electric van is available in two power levels (135 kW or 184 hp and 198 kW or 269 hp) and in both cases the motor offers a maximum torque of 430 Nm available instantly (the throttle response is very agile). The electric motor is powered by a battery with a useful capacity of 75 kWh (68 kWh in real terms) that provides a range of up to 317 km in the WLTP combined cycle, although in urban use (for last-mile delivery) it can exceed 400 km.
According to a Ford customer survey, Transit owners average 70 miles a day, so the E-Transit more than meets their daily needs. In terms of charging times, the E-Transit can be charged in alternating current up to 11 kW (7 hours for a charge from 10 to 100%) and in direct current to a maximum of 115 kW (34 minutes for a fast charge of 15 to 80%).
The closed van version (category N1) reaches a maximum speed of 130 km/h electronically limited, although Ford also offers the possibility of limiting the factory speed to 90 or 100 km/h. It has three driving modes (Normal, Eco and Slippery), in addition to an L mode that increases regenerative braking. It also highlights the acceleration control assistant to maximize autonomy depending on the load of the vehicle (if it is empty, it reduces the acceleration capacity of the engine).
Maximum payload is up to 1,758kg on the van model, although it varies depending on vehicle configuration. It is available in 25 body variants with multiple lengths and roof heights, from a van with a single row of seats and three seats, to a double cab with two rows of seats and six seats, or the chassis-single cab version.
In terms of equipment, the E-Transit is offered in a single finish called Trend, and all versions offer significantly higher specifications than the equivalent diesel model. That includes a 12-inch anti-glare touchscreen in the center of the dash with SYNC 4 infotainment system.
The E-Transit also features Ford’s exclusive ProPower Onboard feature, which provides up to 2.3Kw in the cab and cargo area to power conversions and equipment while you work.
The Ford E-Transit, which is manufactured in the plant that Ford has in Turkey, is available in Spain from 70,170 euros without discounts or campaigns. With the maximum aid of 9,000 euros from the Moves III Plan (if an old vehicle is scrapped), the price of the E-Transit remains at 61,170 euros. Ford Pro estimates that the maintenance and repair cost of ownership will be 40% lower than equivalent diesel-powered models.