Ford has recently opened the registration site (at fleet.ford.com) for the upcoming all-electric Ford E-Transit model, announced in late 2020, that will be launched on the market in late 2021 (Spring 2022 in Europe).

The company said also that the MSRP price in the U.S. will start from $43,295 – up to $52,690 for the high-roof extended-wheelbase cargo van (there are eight versatile configurations), which is less than initially anticipated "under $45,000." Order books will be open by July 2021.

The interest in the E-Transit is high, and - according to the manufacturer - already more than 450 commercial customers spanning 45 vocations are raising their hands to share purchase intentions.

"To date, more than 450 commercial customers in North America, including 200 top fleets and fleet management companies, have said they’re interested in purchasing the all-new E-Transit."

"Versatility makes E-Transit a likely choice for commercial customers, as the vehicle offers eight configurations, including cargo van with three roof heights and three lengths, plus chassis cab and cutaway models, lending itself to a wide array of applications. Preliminary conversations with commercial customers indicate a healthy mix for demand across all eight configurations, with roughly 40 percent leaning toward high-roof vans and 60 percent pointing to medium-roof, low-roof, cutaway and chassis cab versions."

Ford E-Transit
Ford E-Transit

Production of the Ford E-Transit in the U.S. will take place alongside the Transit at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri.

Ford expects quite high demand for electric commercial vehicles:

"Ford data shows that in the U.S., 70 percent of the full-size bus and van business is going all-electric by 2030 – that represents more than 300,000 vehicles annually."

Customer trials in North America

This summer Ford will make early-production E-Transit vans available for tests "in challenging real-world conditions by select fleet customers in telecommunications, delivery, utility services and more."

The company explains also that the E-Transit is backed by 645 Ford Commercial Vehicle Center dealers across the U.S. – about 90% of which are EV-certified – for easy sales and service.

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Customer trials in North Europe

The trial program of the E-Transit in Europe was also announced. Ford will start with last-mile and supermarket, home delivery, postal services, and utility sectors across Germany, Norway and the UK.

"Ford’s European customer trials form part of an extensive development programme for E‑Transit ahead of its launch in spring 2022. Beginning late summer this year, they have been designed to confirm that the all-electric van can comfortably meet the demands of a wide range of operating scenarios.

Ford engineers will use data from the trials to help refine E‑Transit’s next-level connected vehicle technology and range management features to offer an optimised operating experience for customers."

Ford E-Transit
Ford E-Transit

The prototype vehicles for the trial are assembled at Ford’s global commercial vehicle center of excellence in Dunton, UK.

Ford is preparing various versions for various applications, including van and chassis cab variants with conversions including refrigerated bodies, box vans, dropsides and interior racking.

"European E-Transit customers will be offered a generous choice of body, length, roof height and Gross Vehicle Mass options from launch, giving 25 possible variants to suit a wide range of businesses."

Ford E-Transit specs:

  • range of 126 miles (202.7 km) in the low-roof cargo van variant
    the range rating in Europe is up to 349 km (217 miles) WLTP
  • usable battery capacity of 67 kWh (LG Chem cells)
  • payload target: up to 3,800 pounds (1,724 kg) for cargo van and up to 4,290 pounds (1,946) for cutaway versions
  • up to 487.3 cubic feet of cargo space inside the high-roof, extended-wheelbase variant
  • rear-wheel drive
  • electric motor output: 198 kW (266 hp) and 430 Nm (317 lb.-ft.) of torque
    200 kW according to some press releases
  • AC charging: in around 8 hours
    in Europe, it will be equipped with a 11.3 kW on-board charger
  • DC charging: up to 115 kW (15–80% in 34 minutes)
  • Pro Power Onboard - a 2.4 kW electric outlet (2.3 kW according to some press releases)
  • three roof heights and three body lengths, as well as in cargo, cutaway and chassis cab versions
  • comes backed with an eight-year, 100,000-mile electric vehicle component warranty
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