Ford E-Transit due 2022

Ford’s electric E-Transit is expected in New Zealand mid-2022.

Full New Zealand specifications and pricing will be released closer to arrival, Ford Motor Co NZ confirms.

Europe will get the electric version of the world’s top selling cargo van in early 2022.

It will feature next-level connected vehicle technology and services with the signature Transit capability, conversions and dealer support fleet owners depend on.

Standard FordPass Connect modem delivers connectivity to help commercial vehicle customers optimise fleet efficiency, including easily finding and paying for charging on-the-go, while over-the-air updates will upgrade nav and other features, Ford says.

Pro Power Onboard turns E-Transit into a mobile power source with up to 2.3kW to help customers use tools and recharge equipment at jobsites.

The E-Transit is expected to have 350km range (WLTP) from its 67kWh battery capacity, providing enough range to meet daily requirements but with sufficient additional capacity to account for variations in vehicle load and weather conditions.

This makes E-Transit ideal for urban environments, fixed drive routes and deliveries within geofenced zero-emission driving zones, without requiring fleet owners to pay for excess battery capacity they don’t need, Ford says.

Lower maintenance expenses help deliver an estimated 40% saving in service cost of ownership versus diesel models and the E-Transit offers best-in-class, one-year, unlimited mileage service intervals.

European customers get a generous choice of body, length, roof height and gross vehicle mass (GVM) options, giving 25 possible variants.

Payload is targeted up to 1616kg for the van and up to 1967kg for the chassis cab models.

“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,” Ford president and chief executive Jim Farley says.

“Ford is ready to lead the charge that started with its award-winning Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) and EcoBlue Hybrid. 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.”

The new E-Transit is backed by Ford’s 1800 global commercial vehicle dealers – including its 1000-strong European network of Transit Centres.

The E-Transit also benefits from collaborations with hundreds of converters and vehicle modifiers worldwide, who provide compatible racks, bins and accessories on diesel-powered Transits.

Ford is investing more than US$11.5 billion globally in electrification through 2022 with the Mustang Mach-E due in European dealerships from early next year and the fully electric F‑150 in North American dealerships from mid-2022.

The move to electric is also in response to cities around the world pledging to create emission-free zones, reduce greenhouse gas levels and lower noise pollution.

Ford will offer a variety of charging solutions to fit fleet and driver needs, whether at home, work or on the road.

The E-Transit features both AC charging and DC fast-charging – its 11.3kW on-board charger capable of delivering a 100% charge in up to 8.2 hours.

Charging with up to 115kW using a high-power DC fast-charger, E‑Transit can top-up the battery from 15 to 80% in around 34 minutes.

Ford will build E‑Transits for European customers at the Ford Otosan Kocaeli plant in Turkey, and it will be produced for North American customers at the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri.

You can check out our first New Zealand drive review of the Ford Transit PHEV here.