6 minute read
Ford Transit PHEV
The Ford Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid, was Ford’s first step into the electric CV market. As we await the arrival of the larger E-Transit, the Custom PHEV currently offers customers a compromise between diesel range and electric power. The good news is that next-generation Transit Custom will come with pure-electric power when it goes on sale in 2023, but until then the Custom PHEV could be well worth a look.
The Transit Custom PHEV combines a 126hp electric motor with a 1.0 litre petrol engine. What’s clever about it is that the petrol engine doesn’t drive the van. Rather like the LEVC VN5, it’s used to power the 13.6kWh battery and in turn, power the electric motor. This means that you get zero-emissions utilising the battery range, coupled with the reassurance of a 300- mile driving range. Maximum power is 120 PS.
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Driving modes
Four electric vehicle modes allow users to choose how and when to use the PHEV’s available battery charge. EV Now is automatically selected when the engine is first switched on and is perfect for urban and city driving. EV Later maintains the current level of charge, so you can save it for urban use. If the van has been fully mains charged, EV Later will also hold the battery range if its dropped to 75%. EV Auto determines how to use the energy sources in tandem, battery or petrol and EV Charge can be utilised to recharge your battery on the go.
Model range
The Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid is available in all the same trim levels as the regular Transit Custom diesel models bar Sport. So choose from Leader, Trend or Limited, in Van, Double Cab or Kombi. All are well equipped, with entry level Leader featuring air-con, heated front seats, heated windscreen and heated mirrors, none of which are offered on the diesel Leader version.
Equipment and spec
Standard equipment is largely identical to the regular range, with the addition of some hybrid-specific kit such as the geofencing equipment. More of that later. It means all versions get air-conditioning, heated front seats, heated door mirrors and a heated windscreen over the diesel.
We were testing the Limited 1.0 litre PHEV which features 16” alloys, a full sized spare wheel, leather steering wheel and gear knob, an Ice Pack which includes the 8” touchscreen, Apple CarPlay Android Auto, Bluetooth and Ford SYNC. Plus, an eight-way adjustable drivers seat, two 12v power points, a 75 mph speed limiter, remote central locking with deadlocks, front and rear parking sensors and an LED compartment light.
Exterior and Interior
If you look closely, you’ll notice the Custom PHEV features a few discrete badges and of course, a flap just underneath the headlights where you plug in the charging cable. Otherwise, it’s identical to the standard Custom.
The interior is as per a normal Transit Custom but with a single speed gear lever which includes an L regeneration function. So it’s top quality stuff, with plenty of storage areas and cubby holes for van drivers odds and ends. The cabin also features dual front under seat stowage.The central touchscreen’s excellent and separate heating controls underneath are good news when on the move.
One giant leap as Ford drops a plug-in Transit Custom
Electric range, charging time and economy
Here’s the key stuff. Transit Custom hybrid offers a claimed 30.5 miles of pure-electric range and can maintain its state of charge, switching over to electric power as required. Charging time is 2.7 hours on a home 7kWh charger.
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As with all electric and plug-in vehicles, how and where you drive it will govern your fuel economy. Drive locally or in urban areas, plug in at night and you’ll get upwards of 80mpg. However, undertake a longer motorway trip and this figure will fall to around 30-35 mpg.
Service intervals and warranty
Service intervals are two years with a recommended yearly inspection. Maximum mileage is 18,000 as opposed to 25,000 miles on Custom diesels.
The vehicle is warranted for three years and 100,000 miles. The batteries are warranted against failure or excessive capacity loss for eight years or 100,000 miles.
Now... all about ‘Geofencing’
The Transit Custom PHEV is fitted with geofencing technology, a system that uses GPS to alter the driving modes of the van most effectively.
Basically, Geofences are set up around town and city centres. When operators approach one, the Custom PHEV will get ready to go into EV mode, thereby cutting down on pollution. If the vans EV charge is below 60 per cent, it will automatically switch itself into EV Charge mode to recharge the battery. Once you are in the zone fully, the van goes into EV Now mode, which prevents the driver from selecting other driving modes until the battery is totally depleted, at which point it switches into EV Auto mode for maximum efficiency. Simples!
Practicality
As we’ve already mentioned, the addition of the battery underneath the Custom PHEV doesn’t take away Transit Custom’s capability. So you get almost the same payload and easily accessible load area as you’ll find in a normal diesel Custom. Payload ranges from 1,165kg to 1,212kg. Open the rear doors from 90 -180 degrees and access to the load area is brilliant, too. The additional LED load space light and metal bulkhead with load though hatch, aid convenience.
On the road
It is safe to say that we really love driving the Custom PHEV. Quiet, refined, relaxing, it’s all of these and more. Add in an excellent driving position, easy to use tech, plenty of cabin storage and room for three up front and it’s a winner.
The only downside of the driving experience is that you can feel the battery weight when driving over poor road surfaces.
By utilising the battery range in town, as far as our fuel economy went, we averaged just under 50 mpg. On a 100-mile motorway journey, however, our average droped to 32 mpg.
Pros
It’s brilliant to drive, incredibly relaxing to be in, comes with no range anxiety and features the same payload as a regular Transit Custom. Far more enjoyable to be in than any full-electric van and will take you from city to city without stoping to refuel.
Cons
It’s as expensive as most fully electric vans. Disappointingly, the hybrid no longer qualifies for the UK government’s Plug-in Van Grant and if you live in London, it’s no longer exempt if driven within London’s updated ULEV zone.
CC&V VERDICT
The Custom PHEV is brilliant in every way. Yes, it’s not fully electric. Yes, it’s expensive. But we really couldn’t fault it and for many, it will act as a conduit to a fully electric van purchase. It’s just a shame that the Mayor of London has crossed it off the ULEV zone list.
CC&V RATING:
N N N N
