Ford's shift to electric vehicles got jump started Thursday as the automaker unveiled an EV version of one of its most important and profitable vehicles, the Transit commercial vehicle.
Called the E-Transit, the new vehicle's batteries will carry it 126 miles on a charge when it goes on sale late next year. That may not sound like much compared to EVs that promise 250-300 miles between charges, but it's right on the money for businesses, which average just 74 miles a day in delivery and service vans like the E-Transit, a van like the UPS vans and plumber, florist, bakery vehicles delivering goods and services to homes and worksites all over the world.
40% lower maintenance cost
The E-Transit will reduce businesses' costs with fewer repairs and maintenance — 40% less maintenance — Ford commercial vehicle general manager Ted Cannis said. The key to that is that its electric drivetrain — lithium-ion batteries and a 266-horsepower electric motor — has just 10% of the parts of a conventional engine and transmission. Mounted in the van's frame, the battery does not reduce cargo space.
E-Transit prices will start at $45,000, about $10,000 more than the current Transit's base price. Ford expects lower service and fuel costs and higher uptime because fewer repairs will convince businesses the higher price will be a bargain over the vehicle's life.
Ford's Claycomo, Mo., assembly plant will build it on the same line as conventional Transit. Claycomo, which Ford also calls its Kansas City plant, also makes F-150 pickups. A new F-150 is going on sale this year, with an electric model coming in 2022.
Ford pays more attention to commercial vehicles like the Transit than many other automakers.
Used by businesses of all sizes, the vans are a core part of the company's business. Commercial vehicles are commonly referred to as CVs.
Minimizing repairs and maximizing running time are vital to businesses, whether they're giants like UPS and Amazon or a local heating company whose workers take the van home each night.
Ford expects most E-Transits will do a day's work on a single charge, recharging overnight, but they can also accommodate more powerful fast chargers. In addition to the home chargers many drivers will use, Ford
"Commercial customers are very focused. They don't buy what they don't need," Cannis said. That's why Ford studied 30 million miles of their vehicle use to figure out how much battery range they needed.
"Customers know how many miles they run each day. Our CVs are built to fit their purposes."
'What Ford does best'
The E-transit comes in eight body styles, three roof heights and lengths. Specialist companies will fit them with a wide array of bodies, cabs and beds tailored to different tasks. The E-Transit will be able to haul up to 4,290 pounds.
"This is what Ford does best," Cannis said. "This is how America works."
