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Ford has teased its upcoming, pure-electric version of the Transit panel van. The new model will be unveiled on 12 November this year, before going on sale in the UK next year.
A Transit EV will allow Ford to compete in a growing marketplace of pure-electric panel vans, currently dominated by PSA with the Peugeot e-Expert, Citroen e-Dispatch and Vauxhall Vivaro-e. Other contenders include the Fiat e-Ducato and Mercedes eVito.
Ford is yet to release any technical specifications on the E-Transit – but, to be competitive in the segment, it’ll need to have a range of around 200 miles and share the same 9.6 cubic metre carrying capacity as the combustion-engined model.
The model in Ford’s teaser images looks identical to a standard short-wheelbase Transit, which suggests the company has merely adapted the van’s existing platform to accept an electric powertrain, rather than opting for a clean-sheet redesign.
Like its competitors, we expect the E-Transit will feature an electric motor powering the front wheels and a lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the van’s floor, which should provide the best packaging and limit any compromises in cargo bay capacity.
A couple of other EV-specific tweaks are also likely – as well as the obvious charging socket, buyers should get a new, blanked-off radiator grille and a fresh display for the van’s interior, giving the driver information on the battery pack’s state of charge and the van’s remaining range.
What do you make of the new, pure-electric Ford E-Transit? Let us know in the comments section below…
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A Transit EV will allow Ford to compete in a growing marketplace of pure-electric panel vans, currently dominated by PSA with the Peugeot e-Expert, Citroen e-Dispatch and Vauxhall Vivaro-e. Other contenders include the Fiat e-Ducato and Mercedes eVito.
- SEE MORE Best electric cars to buy 2020
Ford is yet to release any technical specifications on the E-Transit – but, to be competitive in the segment, it’ll need to have a range of around 200 miles and share the same 9.6 cubic metre carrying capacity as the combustion-engined model.
The model in Ford’s teaser images looks identical to a standard short-wheelbase Transit, which suggests the company has merely adapted the van’s existing platform to accept an electric powertrain, rather than opting for a clean-sheet redesign.
Like its competitors, we expect the E-Transit will feature an electric motor powering the front wheels and a lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the van’s floor, which should provide the best packaging and limit any compromises in cargo bay capacity.
A couple of other EV-specific tweaks are also likely – as well as the obvious charging socket, buyers should get a new, blanked-off radiator grille and a fresh display for the van’s interior, giving the driver information on the battery pack’s state of charge and the van’s remaining range.
What do you make of the new, pure-electric Ford E-Transit? Let us know in the comments section below…
Continue reading...