Ford Pro has recently introduced its latest innovation for the European market: the all-new, all-electric E-Transit Custom. This medium-sized van is a game-changer for small businesses looking for a versatile, efficient, eco-friendly vehicle to meet their needs. The Ford E-Transit Custom is set to go into production in the second half of 2023 and will offer a range of benefits that make it stand out from the competition. Here are some of the key features and advantages of the E-Transit Custom:
Impressive Range and Performance
Customers' main concerns when considering an electric vehicle are the driving range and performance. The Ford E-Transit Custom addresses this issue by offering a targeted range of up to 236 miles on a single charge, which is more than enough for most daily tasks and deliveries. The van also supports fast charging, allowing the battery to replenish from 15% to 80% in about 34 minutes using a 115 kW DC charger. This means that customers can easily top up their battery during breaks or stops and reduce their downtime.
The Ford E-Transit Custom electric van also delivers outstanding performance for a range of customer needs. The van is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor that produces either 181 horsepower or 265 horsepower, depending on the model. Both versions offer a class-leading 415 Nm of torque, which enables the van to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in less than 7 seconds and reach a top speed of 85 mph. The electric motor also provides a smoother, quieter driving experience, lower maintenance costs, and zero emissions.
The Ford E-Transit Custom also comes with a range of advanced technologies to enhance safety, connectivity, and productivity. For instance, it features the SYNC 4 infotainment system with a 12-inch touchscreen, as well as over-the-air updates and voice control. It also has a digital instrument cluster that shows critical information such as speed, battery level, range, and driving modes.
The electric van also offers several driver assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist, and intelligent speed assist. Additionally, it has a 360-degree camera that provides a view of the surroundings, making parking and maneuvering easier. The E-Transit Custom also supports FordPass Connect, which allows owners to remotely control various functions of the van through a smartphone app.
Uncompromised Capability and Versatility
Another important factor that customers look for in a commercial vehicle is capability and versatility. The Ford E-Transit Custom does not disappoint in this aspect either. The electric van can carry up to 1,000 kg of cargo and offers a load volume of up to 6.8 cubic meters. The battery pack is mounted under the cargo area's floor, minimizing the impact on space and payload. The battery also serves as a power source for external devices, thanks to the vehicle-to-load feature that can provide up to 2.3 kW of electricity through various sockets in the cabin and the rear.
The E-Transit Custom also has a class-leading towing capacity of up to 2,000 kg, meaning it can handle any task easily and comfortably. The van also has a range of work-ready accessories that can be ordered from the factory. These include bulkheads, shelving, ladder racks, interior storage solutions, and more. The E-Transit Custom can also be customized with different body lengths, roof heights, colors, and trim levels.
Innovative Customer Experiences and Solutions
The Ford E-Transit Custom is not just an electric van; it is an electric van that can do it all. The van is designed to deliver an unprecedented customer experience that goes beyond driving. The E-Transit Custom uses cloud connectivity and digital technologies to offer new solutions for multi-drop delivery, cab, load compartment access, and a "Mobile Office" workspace.
For example, the E-Transit Custom has an industry-first feature called "Smart Access," which allows authorized users to unlock and access the cab or load compartment using their smartphone or smartwatch. This eliminates the need for keys or fobs and enables secure delivery or pickup without the driver being present—the feature also records who accessed the vehicle, when, where, and for how long.
Another example is the "Mobile Office" feature, which transforms the cab into a business hub with 5G connectivity and a flexible workspace. The cab has smart features like a steering wheel that folds to become an ergonomic holder for laptops and tablets, a wireless charging pad, and multiple USB ports. The cab also has ample headroom, leg room, and interior walk-through room, thanks to the center console with an integrated rotary shifter.
The Ford E-Transit Custom electric van also benefits from the Ford Pro ecosystem of software and services that help customers reduce the cost of ownership, work more effectively, and simplify the transition to electric vehicles. These include Ford Pro Charging, which provides end-to-end solutions to manage and optimize charging, such as smart chargers, public charging access, and charging management software. They also include Ford Pro Intelligence, which provides subscription services such as Ford Pro E-Telematics, which can monitor vehicle health, range, location, driver behavior, and more.
Conclusion
The Ford E-Transit Custom is part of Ford Pro's plan to launch five new electric commercial vehicles in Europe by 2024. The first one was the full-size E-Transit, which debuted in late 2020 and is expected to go on sale in early 2022. The E-Transit Custom will follow in late 2023, along with a Ford E-Tourneo Courier passenger van. Ford Pro also plans to introduce two more electric models based on its partnership with Volkswagen.
The E-Transit Custom will be built at the Ford Otosan plant in Kocaeli (Turkey), where the diesel-powered Transit Custom is also produced. Ford Pro has yet to reveal the electric van's pricing or availability details, but it will likely cost around $60,000 (excluding VAT) in Europe. The E-Transit Custom will compete with other electric vans in its segment, such as the Opel Vivaro-e, Peugeot e-Expert, Citroen e-Dispatch, Mercedes-Benz eVito, Renault Kangoo Z.E., and Nissan e-NV200.
The E-Transit Custom is designed to meet the needs and expectations of modern businesses that are looking for a versatile, efficient, and eco-friendly vehicle. With its impressive range, performance, capability, versatility, and smart features, the Ford E-Transit Custom electric van can handle any task with ease and comfort. The Ford E-Transit Custom is not just an electric van but the ultimate electric van for small businesses.
@via Panorica.
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