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Summary
- Ford has unveiled its new all-electric Transit van powered with 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque in the commercial van segment starting under USD 45,000.
- E-Transit is targeting commercial and work buyers like Amazon and United Parcel Service to make them switch their vehicle fleets from gasoline or diesel to electric.
- The new commercial vehicle is loaded with software and digital services to help customers in growing their businesses.
- E-Transit will offer a range of connected solutions and an available onboard generator.
As part of Ford's plan to invest USD 11.5 billion in electric vehicles through 2022, the American automaker company has unveiled its new all-electric Transit van. Ford is expecting to give rivals a good run for their money with E-Transit in the commercial van segment.
The new electric vehicle is expected to arrive late next year. It is targeting commercial and work buyers. Ford is aiming for customers like Amazon and United Parcel Service, which uses vehicle fleets for deliveries, maintenance, and other services. The new E-transit will give these businesses an option to switch their vehicle fleets from gasoline or diesel to electric.
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Image © Kalkine Group 2020
How is Ford playing in the market with new electric vehicles?
As per the Ford, its North American market share of commercial vehicles in Q3FY20 was 57 per cent. It is defending its market share from traditional rivals like General Motors and Mercedes-Benz, and from newer EV companies such as Workhorse and Rivian.
The company is witnessing massive demand for its all-electric commercial vehicles; consequently, it is planning to expand production of its upcoming fully electric F-150 pickup by 50%. However, it has declined to divulge any further information specific to the production announcement.
Amazon has already pre-ordered 1,800 electric vans from Mercedes-Benz and 100,000 all-electric vans from Rivian.
Also read: Why We Need Electric Vehicles? Australia’s Largest-Ever ECV Order to Push EV Industry
Features of the new offering E-Transit
For the smallest version of the Van, the estimated range is 126 miles, which is in line with other announced electric vans but far lower than current gasoline-powered models. The company has not commented on the estimated range for larger models which will likely be lower.
The Van is powered by 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque and the time taken to charge the battery varies depending on charging power and method. From typical residential power outlets, it could take several hours to charge the battery, and it could be charged in 10 minutes for nearly 30 miles from a dedicated fast charger.
The expected starting price is at under USD 45,000, which is around USD 10,000 more than Ford's current gasoline-powered models. E-Transit will come in eight configurations to allow companies to accessorize the vans more easily. These configurations are - three roof heights, three lengths, chassis cab, and cutaway models.
The new generation e-vehicle will offer a range of connected solutions like 4G LTE for data subscriptions and the connectivity to assist commercial vehicle customers in managing and optimising fleet efficiency. The new offering has double software and digital services to aid the customers in growing and more efficiently running their businesses. E-Transit will also offer an available onboard generator similar to the upcoming 2021 Ford F-150 pickup.
