Ford launches E-Transit Custom fully electric van

Ford Pro is launching the E-Transit Custom fully electric van across Europe, helping fleets go electric.

Arriving on the back of the diesel and plug-in hybrid and joined by the E-Tourneo Custom passenger variant, the all-electric E-Transit Custom reinvents Europe’s best-selling one-tonne van with up to 209 miles (337km) of range plus a string of productivity-enhancing Ford Pro services that include a new home charging offering.

It’s the first time that the Transit Custom has offered an all-electric powertrain, which comes with either 135hp or 217hp (100kW or 160kW) motors, each offering 415Nm of torque. A more powerful 285hp (210kW) motor is offered exclusively in the E-Transit Custom MS-RT model.

Every E-Transit Custom is fitted with a 74kWh (64kWh useable) battery for a maximum driving range of up to 209 miles. It’s also the first-ever electric vehicle to use vapour-injected heat pump technology to heat and cool the cabin, enhancing range and fitted as standard to all vehicles. Regenerative braking also enhances efficiency and enables one-pedal driving.

A full charge with an 11kW AC charger takes about 6.7 hours. The E-Transit Custom can also charge at up to 125kW via DC chargers, giving a 10-80% refill in about 39 minutes.

As with the larger E-Transit, customers can specify the 2.3kW Pro Power Onboard system to power electric tools and external lights needed on the job.

Payload is up to 1,011kg for the panel van and the electric drivetrain also delivers class-leading towing capacity of up to 2,300kg, while the E-Transit Custom also benefits from a lower load floor with a class-leading side door aperture and new side step for easier loading. The powertrain also supports two-year unlimited distance service intervals for enhanced cost of ownership.

The model line-up includes L1 or L2 vehicle lengths and a broadest-yet range of bodystyles that span a panel van, double-cab-in-van, with a three-seat second row and fixed bulkhead, Kombi, with maximum flexibility between cargo and up to eight passenger seats and the MultiCab, with a two-seat second row, full-length cargo area and solid bulkhead.

Trims include Trend, Limited, Sport and the top-spec MS-RT with rally-inspired styling.

Every E-Transit Custom is fitted with a 13-inch landscape touchscreen, equipped with Ford’s Sync 4 communication and infotainment system powered by 5G modem for connectivity to the Ford Pro tech stack. Further on-the-go productivity comes from Alexa Built-in, meaning drivers can use simple voice commands to voice-activate calls and even make purchases directly through Amazon.com.

New innovations also include a Mobile Office option pack with a tilting steering wheel, plus a roof-mounted passenger airbag to create new dashboard storage area large enough to take a laptop or A4 file. Ford Pro is also introducing factory-fit TVL lock packs to enhance security without the cost and downtime of aftermarket fitment.

The E-Transit Custom also comes with Ford Pro’s digital and physical platform of software and services to help businesses reduce cost of ownership, work more effectively, and simplify the transition to electric vehicles.

This includes the newly launched integrated home charging solution for businesses – featuring installation of a connected wallbox, management software and maintenance – which is being rolled out across major European markets.

Ford Pro anticipates that E-Transit Custom will deliver lower operating costs compared to an equivalent diesel vehicle – and says the reduction in servicing cost of ownership could be as much as 40%. Maintenance savings come from a two-year, unlimited distance service interval and an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty covers all high-voltage components.

The new model joins Ford Pro’s expanding electric van range for Europe alongside the larger E-Transit, and the E-Transit Courier compact van due to arrive in 2025.

For fleets not quite ready to go full electric, Ford also offers the Transit Custom PHEV with 233hp of power, a pure-electric driving range of up to 34 miles (56km) and Pro Power Onboard.

The first E-Transit Custom models are set to reach dealerships in selected markets later this summer, followed by all markets in the EU in 2025.

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.

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