FORD PRO LAUNCH THE E-TRANSIT CUSTOM

THE NEW FORD PRO E-TRANSIT CUSTOM IS READY TO ELECTRIFY SMALL BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY

E-Transit Custom is launching at a significant moment for electric vehicle (EV) adoption by small businesses; an upcoming report from the Centre for Economics and Business Research finds that the EV share of new van registrations in major markets saw a more than fivefold increase from 2018 to 2023.

The report also details an increasing number of Low-Emission Zones, which now number over 350 and cover over 80 million people, including every capital city in the EU.

Developed from the ground up around innovative customer-inspired solutions, E-Transit Custom combines advanced electric vehicle technology 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.

Supporting the launch of the new electric model, Ford Pro introduces an integrated home charging solution for businesses — featuring installation of a connected wallbox, management software and maintenance — which will be rolled out across major European markets.

To maximise productivity of van-dependent businesses such as those worth around €1 trillion to the EU and UK economy in 2023, the electric version of Europe’s top-selling one-tonne van offers innovative new features designed around the needs of SMEs.

This starts in the cab with standard 5G connectivity and clever features like the unique tilting steering wheel. The efficient electric powertrain supports up to 337 km driving range and two-year unlimited distance service intervals for enhanced cost of ownership.

No-compromise load carrying capability delivers payloads up to 1.011 kg, a lower load floor with enhanced access, and class-leading towing capacity of 2.300 kg.

«Small businesses are the heart of Europe’s economy and essential to our communities — and many of them have come to rely on Ford vans. We’ve served those customers for over half a century; their insights have helped us develop electric, plug-in hybrid and diesel vans to suit customers in every trade and location, as well as supporting services designed to make big fleet-level productivity achievable for small businesses without a fleet manager», said Hans Schep, general manager Ford Pro, Europe.

Already available to order, E-Transit Custom is now in production at Ford Otosan’s state-of-the-art Yeniköy Assembly Plant in Türkiye. The new model joins Ford Pro’s electric van range for Europe alongside the larger E-Transit, which last year outsold its nearest competitor by over five to one to lead its segment, and the E- Transit Courier compact van scheduled for introduction in 2025.

Optimised electric powertrain

Every E-Transit Custom is fitted with a 64 kWh (useable) battery for a maximum driving range of up to 337 km. E-Transit Custom is the first-ever electric vehicle to use vapour-injected heat pump technology to heat and cool the cabin, fitted as standard to all vehicles.

This new system is designed to deliver improved energy efficiency for optimum driving range. Regenerative braking enables one-pedal driving for more comfortable urban driving and improved efficiency.

The drive motor is fitted directly to the rear floor and rotated 90 degrees to maximise load space and reduce weight and complexity. Customers can choose from 100 kW or 160 kW (135 PS or 217 PS) power outputs to suit their needs, each offering a class-leading 415 Nm of torque. A more powerful 210 kW motor is offered exclusively on the E-Transit Custom MS- RT model.

Electric driving range is up to 337 km. A full charge with an 11 kW Ford Pro Home Charger takes about 6,7 hours. Customers can also charge from 10-80% in about 39 minutes on a 125 kW DC charger; in lab testing, a 10-minute charge added 82 km of range.

The electric drivetrain delivers class-leading towing capacity of up to 2.300 kg, meaning customers who tow heavier weights in low-emission zones could replace their diesel vehicles in roles that no other all-electric one-tonne van can fill.

The battery is packaged into the load floor above the sill flange to eliminate the need for separate crash structures. For optimum space and weight efficiency, other underbody components are “shrink-wrapped” around the battery.

As on the larger E-Transit, customers can specify the 2,3 kW Pro Power Onboard system to power electric tools and external lights needed on the job.

Ford Pro anticipates that this van will deliver lower operating costs compared to an equivalent diesel vehicle; for E-Transit, the reduction in servicing cost of ownership can be as much as 40%. Maintenance savings come from a 2 year, unlimited distance service interval and an 8 year, 160.000 km warrant y covers all high-voltage components for complete peace of mind.