DEARBORN, MICH. – The transition to electric vehicles took another leap forward today with the unveiling of Ford’s full-size all-electric E-Transit vans.
Ford describes the 2022 E-Transit, which will have a starting price less than $58,000 for Canada fleet customers, as a smart workhorse for North American cities, designed with insight from 48 million kilometres of customer telematics data to deliver the right amount of range based on fleet needs.
With a usable battery capacity of 67 kilowatt-hours, E-Transit will deliver an estimated range of 200 km in the low-roof cargo van variant. E-Transit vans will also be offered with two other roof heights and three body lengths, as well as in cargo, cutaway and chassis cab versions.
E-Transits will be powered by an electric motor that delivers 266 horsepower/198 kilowatts of power and 317 lb-ft of torque across all configurations. It will come with an eight-year, 160,000-km electric vehicle component warranty.
Cargo Capability
E-Transit cargo vans in North America are expected to have a maximum payload of 3,800 pounds and up to 4,290 pounds for cutaway versions.
The van’s battery is located under the vehicle body, providing up to 13,800 litres of cargo space inside the high-roof, extended-wheelbase variant. The rear-wheel-drive and rear suspension have been designed to optimize cargo space, creating a heavy-duty semi-trailing arm suspension system that improves steering precision and handling, plus ensures better traction whether the van is loaded or empty.
Electrification Investment
The E-Transit lineup is part of Ford’s investment in electrification of more than $11.5 billion through 2022. That investment includes the all-electric Mustang Mach-E, which begins arriving at dealerships later this year, and the all-electric F150 pickup, which is scheduled to start arriving in showrooms in mid-2022. Ford intends to achieve carbon neutrality globally by 2050.
The E-Transit will not only help companies operate with the benefits of electrification, it offers clear business advantages. Scheduled maintenance costs for the all-electric Transit are estimated to be 40 per cent less than the average scheduled maintenance costs for a gas-powered 2020 Transit over eight years/160,000 km.
“This makes E-Transit ideal for commercial customers who know their drive routes and often work in urban environments,” said Ted Cannis, Ford North America general manager of commercial business. “Affordability is key, and our customers buy only what they need to get the job done. E-Transit provides ample range at a price that makes the transition to electric easy. And Ford is just getting started.”
Charging Alternatives
Ford 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. In addition to access to North America’s largest public charging network, E-Transit offers both AC and DC fast charging. A mobile charger that can plug into a 120-volt outlet for slow, steady charging or into a 240-volt outlet for faster charging is standard equipment, while the Ford Connected Charge Station, which can fully charge the E-Transit in eight hours, is available. On a 115-plus-kilowatt DC fast charger, an E-Transit cargo van low-roof model can achieve approximately 48 km of range in 10 minutes and approximately 72 km of range in 15 minutes. When plugged into a 240-volt outlet, approximately 16 km of range per charging hour can be achieved. With a Ford Connected Charge Station, the rate is approximately 24 km per charging hour.
Among E-Transit features is an optional Pro Power Onboard, which provides up to 2.4 kilowatts of power to transform the vehicle into a mobile generator that can powers tools and equipment on job sites and on the go.
When activated, the standard 4G LTE modem unlocks available data subscriptions and delivers seamless connectivity to help commercial vehicle customers manage and optimize fleet efficiency. A range of dedicated electric vehicle services are available through Ford Commercial Solutions, including electric vehicle data enhancements from Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services.
Remote services such as vehicle pre-conditioning, which optimizes cabin temperatures while an E-Transit is plugged in to optimize battery efficiency, are also available, as well as charging reports that enable fleet managers to reimburse drivers who bring their vans home in the evening.
Infotainment and Navigation
E-Transit also brings Ford’s SYNC® 4 communications and entertainment technology to commercial vehicles, featuring a standard 12-inch touch screen, plus enhanced voice recognition and cloud-enhanced navigation. E-Transit software and SYNC features can also be updated with over-the-air technology.
With navigation enabled, fleet operators can benefit from Ford’s new Co-Pilot360 technology, such as available Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with speed sign recognition and Intelligent Speed Assist, which together identify speed limits and automatically change the vehicle speed accordingly. E-Transit also features additional standard Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies such as lane-keeping and pre-collision assists with automatic emergency braking. Other available features include blind-spot information system with blind-spot assist, a 360-degree camera and reverse brake assist.
The E-Transit, which will be assembled for North American customers at the Kansas City Assembly Plant, is scheduled to arrive at dealers in late 2021.