NEW LEVEL OF PRODUCTIVITY

FORD PRO VEHICLES DELIVERS NEW LEVEL OF PRODUCTIVITY AND VALUE TO EUROPEAN BUSINESSES WITH ALL-ELECTRIC ETRANSIT

Ford Pro Vehicles is introducing for businesses a new benchmark for electric vehicle productivity, value and ownership experience with the new all‑electric E‑Transit.

With its class-leading battery size, range, motor power and unique ProPower Onboard exportable power feature, the all-electric version of the world’s best-selling cargo van offers unmatched performance for commercial customers.

This capability is complemented by an enhanced level of standard equipment featuring Euro NCAP-commended intelligent driver assistance and safety systems, as well as end-to-end charging support from Ford Pro Charging and an entire integrated suite of Ford Pro solutions to optimize efficiency and cost of ownership.

E-Transit is also extremely competitively priced in the marketplace, to help accelerate adoption of electric vehicles.

The new vehicle spearheads the European introduction of Ford Pro – the manufacturer’s new worldwide sales and servicing business centred around improving commercial vehicle customers’ productivity with world-class vehicles and cutting-edge products and services.

«E-Transit is a quantum leap for commercial vehicle operators. Its all-electric powertrain, uncompromised capability and integrated supporting Ford Pro ecosystem will streamline customers’ businesses and supercharge their productivity as they switch to fully-electric fleets», said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe. «With pricing designed to remove any barrier to entry, E‑Transit is a truly compelling proposition for European businesses».

Following a punishing global testing and development programme, Ford Pro and its customer partners across Europe are using 60 E-Transits to demonstrate the productivity benefits of electrified commercial vehicles. The first production vehicles recently rolled out of the factory in Kocaeli, Turkey, with 5.000 customer orders received before production started.

Comprehensive standard specification

E-Transit provides every customer with a comprehensive standard specification and advanced technologies to make electrifying their fleets easier and more beneficial than ever before. The vehicle is designed to satisfy a wide range of customer use-cases, with a 68 kWh usable battery capacity as standard, providing a competitive range of up to 317 km WLTP.

True Transit capability is delivered by the powerful motor offering 430 Nm of torque and a choice of 135 kW or 198 kW maximum outputs. Payload is up to 1.758 kg on the van model, and the comprehensive range totals 25 variants of van, double-cab-in-van and chassis cab body styles with multiple lengths and roof heights, as well as GVMs from 3,5 to 4,25 tonnes. E-Transit also features Ford’s unique ProPower Onboard feature, delivering up to 2,3 Kw in the cab and load area to power conversions and equipment while out at work.

E-Transit is offered in two series – Base and Trend – and all vehicles offer significantly higher specifications than the equivalent diesel model. The Base series includes Electronic Air Temperature Control, Keyless Start, heated seats, Quickclear windscreen and heated power mirrors.

E-Transit introduces the SYNC 4 communications and information system to Ford’s commercial vehicle range in Europe, offering twice the computing power of SYNC 3 and controlled via an intuitive 12-inch wipe-clean, glare-resistant touchscreen.

The Trend series adds productivity-boosting features such as the Ford Connected Navigation System 5 which can plan the most efficient route and update drivers on charging, traffic, live parking availability, as well as Intelligent Range to display a more accurate distance-to-empty. Available enhanced voice control and embedded Amazon Alexa help drivers receive the information they need without taking their eyes from the road.

In addition, all E-Transits feature a standard FordPass Connect modem enabling always-on connectivity with the Ford Pro ecosystem and Ford Power-Up software updates to deliver additional features and benefits. Customers also benefit from a lifetime subscription to FordPass Pro or Ford Pro Telematics Essentials and access to the Blue Oval Charging Network for a year. Fleet customers also receive a year of complimentary access to Ford Pro E‑Telematics.

Award-winning driver assistance

E-Transit has already earned a Gold Award from independent vehicle safety authority Euro NCAP for its comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems. The available technologies include Pre‑Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Information System with Lane Change Warning & Aid, Lane Departure Warning, Lane-Keeping Aid, and Junction Assist.

Key new driver assistance systems that help minimise repair costs include Reverse Brake Assist, which uses a camera and sensors to detect pedestrians, cyclists and static obstacles when reversing and can deliver a warning before automatically stopping the vehicle if the driver does not react. Drivers also benefit from a new 360-degree camera, giving a birds-eye view of E‑Transit’s surroundings on the 12‑inch dashboard screen to help avoid obstacles when manoeuvring in tight spaces with a limited view.

Outstanding cost of ownership

E-Transit offers businesses wishing to adopt electric vehicles a compelling purchase proposition which will pay back or generate a positive business case over the ownership period. In addition to significant fuel cost savings, Ford Pro estimates that service maintenance and repair cost of ownership will be 40% lower than equivalent diesel-powered models – and according to Ford Pro data, E‑Transit has the lowest such costs in both the UK and Germany versus direct competitors.

Ford Pro offers a class-leading, one‑year, unlimited mileage service interval and 8 year or 160.000 km warranty for all high-voltage electric components, including cover for excessive degradation, as well as a one year electric vehicle roadside assistance package including rescue charging. The pan-European Ford Pro Service network is EV-ready with 1.500 EV Certified Dealers across Europe, and over 4.500 Authorised Repairers which will all have service capability for launch.

Following the introduction of E-Transit, Ford’s iconic Transit family will include a further four new electric models – the all‑new Transit Custom one-tonne van and Tourneo Custom multi-purpose vehicle in 2023, and the smaller, next generation Transit Courier van and Tourneo Courier multipurpose vehicle in 2024.

In line with this bold electrification strategy, Ford, SK On Co., Ltd. and Koç Holding have signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding for a new, industry-leading joint venture business in Turkey– subject to progression to a firm commitment from the three partners – that would lead to the creation of one of the largest commercial vehicle electric battery facilities in the European wider region. Production is intended to start as early as mid-decade with an annual capacity likely to be in the range of 30 to 45 Gigawatt hours.

Source: Ford