Ford Motor Co.’s latest electric offering, an electric version of the company’s E-Transit commercial vans, was revealed to the public November 12. The vehicle, which Ford says is the first all-electric cargo van from a full-line automaker in North America will be assembled in Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant and will be available for purchase in late 2021.
The van, which Ford says will cost under $45,000, features an electric motor targeting 266 horsepower and 317lb.-feet of torque and will be offered in eight configurations including three roof heights, three lengths, chassis cab and cutaway models. In order to maintain continuity with older Transit models, Ford says the electric version maintains the same interior cargo dimensions and standard mounting points for racks, bins, and accessories.
The van’s low-roof cargo van configuration has an estimated driving range of 126 miles, which Ted Cannis, Ford North America’s general manager of commercial business, says is “ideal” for commercial users who typically work in urban environments.
“Affordability is key, and our customers buy only what they need to get the job done. E-Transit provides ample range at a price that makes the transition to electric easy,” he said.
The vehicle can be charged on a 240-volt outlet or an ordinary 120-volt outlet using an included adaptor. According to Ford, those who purchase a Connected Charge Station for their home can fully charge their vehicle in eight hours.
In a new feature for customers who operate fleets of commercial vans, Ford says that connecting the vans to the internet will let fleet owners access software tools to manage charging transactions and telematics services. The vehicle’s battery can also be used to power or recharge electric tools.
The van is the third of Ford’s announced all-electric offerings alongside an electric version of the F-150 truck and the Mustang Mach-E set to begin deliveries in December. According to the company, Ford plans on spending more than $11.5 billion on electrification through 2022 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Earlier this week, Ford announced the van would be constructed at its Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri. The van will create 150 new full-time jobs there and bring in $100 million in new investments, in addition to $300 million invested there related to the electric F-150. The company currently employs 7,500 workers in the Missouri plant.
