Ford is gearing up to launch its first electric van, the E-Transit, in late 2024. The E-Transit is based on the best-selling Ford Transit, a staple of commercial and passenger transportation for decades. The E-Transit aims to offer a greener, cheaper, and smarter alternative to the gas-powered Transit, with a range of features and specs that make it a compelling choice for fleet owners and drivers.
Why should you care about the 2024 Ford E-Transit?
The 2024 Ford E-Transit is not just another electric vehicle. It is a game-changer for the electric commercial vehicle market, which is expected to grow rapidly in the next few years. According to a report by BloombergNEF, electric vans will account for 10% of global van sales by 2030, up from 0.5% in 2020. The report also predicts that the total cost of ownership of electric vans will be lower than that of diesel vans by 2025 in most markets.
The E-Transit is Ford’s answer to this growing demand for electric vans, and it has several advantages over its competitors, such as the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter and the Nissan e-NV200. Some of the benefits of the E-Transit are:
- It has a longer range than most electric vans, with an estimated 126 miles on a single charge, which is enough for most urban delivery routes.
- It has a lower starting price than the eSprinter, with a base model starting at $43,295, compared to $51,795 for the eSprinter.
- It has a higher payload and towing capacity than the e-NV200, with a maximum payload of 3,800 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 4,000 pounds, compared to 1,480 pounds and 2,000 pounds for the e-NV200, respectively.
- It has a unique feature called Pro Power Onboard, which allows the E-Transit to act as a mobile generator, providing up to 2.4 kW of power for tools and equipment.
- It has a smart connectivity system called FordPass Connect, which enables over-the-air updates, remote diagnostics, and access to a network of 13,500 public charging stations in North America.
- It has a variety of body styles and configurations to suit different needs and preferences, with three roof heights, three body lengths, and eight wheelbases, as well as cargo van, cutaway, chassis cab, and crew van versions.
What are the main features of the 2024 Ford E-Transit?
The 2024 Ford E-Transit will have a number of features that make it stand out from other electric vans, as well as from the gas-powered Transit. Here are some of the main features of the E-Transit:
Battery and motor
The E-Transit will be powered by a 67 kWh battery pack located under the floor, which does not compromise the cargo space or the interior height of the van. The battery pack will provide an estimated 126 miles of range on a single charge, more than the 95 miles of the eSprinter and the 124 miles of the e-NV200. The battery pack will also have a warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The E-Transit will have a rear-wheel drive electric motor that will deliver 266 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, more than the 190 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque of the gas-powered Transit. The electric motor will also enable a top speed of 90 mph comparable to the gas-powered Transit.
Charging and savings
The E-Transit will support both Level 2 and DC fast charging options, allowing the van to recharge quickly and conveniently. The E-Transit will have a charging time of 8 hours using a 240-volt Level 2 charger, the most common type of charger for home and workplace charging. The E-Transit will also support DC fast charging, which can replenish the battery from 15% to 80% in 34 minutes.
Compared to the gas-powered Transit, the E-Transit will also offer significant savings for fleet owners and drivers. According to Ford, the E-Transit will have a potential savings of $25,000 over eight years, based on the assumptions of 20,000 miles driven per year, $2.75 per gallon of gas, $0.13 per kWh of electricity, and $1,200 per year of maintenance costs. The savings will vary depending on the actual driving habits, fuel prices, electricity rates, and maintenance expenses.
Pro Power Onboard
One of the most unique features of the E-Transit is the Pro Power Onboard system, which allows the E-Transit to act as a mobile generator, providing up to 2.4 kW of power for tools and equipment. This feature can help reduce the need for a separate generator or extension cords and enable new business opportunities for mobile services, such as food trucks, mobile salons, or mobile workshops. The Pro Power Onboard system will be controlled by a 12-volt outlet in the cabin and a 120-volt outlet in the cargo area.
FordPass Connect
Another smart feature of the E-Transit is the FordPass Connect modem, which enables over-the-air updates, remote diagnostics, and access to a network of 13,500 public charging stations in North America. The modem also allows fleet managers to monitor and optimize the performance, maintenance, and location of their vehicles through the Ford Telematics software, which is included for free for the first year. The Ford Telematics software can provide data on the battery level, range, charging status, driver behavior, vehicle health, and more.
SYNC 4 and Ford Co-Pilot360
The E-Transit will also have a state-of-the-art infotainment system called SYNC 4, which features a 12-inch touchscreen and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system also offers voice control, navigation, cloud connectivity, and integration with the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assist technologies. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite includes pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking, a blind spot information system with cross-traffic alert, a lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control, reverse brake assist, and intelligent speed assist.
Body styles and configurations
The E-Transit will also have a variety of body styles and configurations to suit different needs and preferences. The E-Transit will be available in three roof heights, three body lengths, and eight wheelbases, as well as in cargo van, cutaway, chassis cab, and crew van versions. The cargo volume will range from 246.7 cubic feet to 487.3 cubic feet, depending on the model. The E-Transit will also have a maximum payload of 3,800 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 4,000 pounds.
