with Mandy Dean

E-Transit keeps Ford on top

The UK’s best-loved van, the Transit, is now available as a fully electric model, and it’s an addition that will power the vehicle to even greater success, says Mandy Dean, Commercial Vehicle Director, Ford Britain and Ireland

CC&V: The CV Show saw Ford launch the new electric E-Transit. The competition has had a head-start in the electric van sector, so can you tell us why your EV has been worth the wait?

Mandy Dean: The Ford E-Transit provides a leading combination of capability, low cost of ownership and productivity-boosting connected services. Its capability is demonstrated through a comprehensive range of 25 van (1,758kg payload), double-cab-invan and chassis cab body variants with multiple lengths, roof heights and GVMs from 3.5 to 4.25 tonnes.

Priced from £42,695, in addition to significant fuel cost savings, service maintenance and repair costs will be 40 per cent lower than equivalent diesel-powered models.

E-Transit’s always-on connectivity between the vehicle’s modem and base allows customers to manage vehicle health, charging, accident and security alerts.

If a customer orders an E-Transit in October, what will the supply of the new van be like through 2022?

MD: Orders this year are being scheduled for delivery from mid-2022. Exact leadtimes depend on customer specification, accessorisation and/or conversion requirements.

Mandy Dean with the all-new E-Transit

MD: Ford is closely monitoring the semi-conductor situation, and adjusting European production schedules where needed to minimise the effect on all customers. For UK SME customers, a good supply of Ford commercial vehicles is expected through 2022.

Due to high demand, we are operating with extended lead times and endeavouring to ensure all customers are informed of latest lead times and progress of their orders.

CC&V: You took the largest stand at the recent CV Show. How was this year’s event and do you feel that Ford benefitted from being there?

The Ford commercial vehicle team was delighted to be back in its traditional main entrance location at this year’s show, surrounded by over 20 vans and pick-ups, as a base to meet new customers and build relations with existing Ford operators face to face.

The stand space was especially useful this year to house an innovative demonstration of our new Ford Liive connected uptime system, which visitors walked through and understand the concept interactively. The free Ford Liive service enables proactive fleet management to maximise vehicle productivity using real-time vehicle health data.

CC&V: This year’s CV Show was all about electric vans. Despite this, most operators still run diesels. Do you think that there will still be a place for petrol and diesel Ford vans for some time to come?

MD: As well as announcing E-Transit at CV Show, other news was that the largest Transit with either electric or diesel powertrain is receiving tech upgrades, including new SYNC 4 connectivity and standardisation of driver assistance features such as Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection autonomous emergency braking system.

Diesel will remain a significant fuel option for many up to 2030. Whatever the UK’s situation as regards permitted new van powertrains beyond 2030, Ford estimates that across Europe a third of van sales will remain non-electric. In which case there would be continued supply to meet European market demand.

CC&V: E-Transit is your first electric van. Are other Ford electric van models set to follow and if so, which models and when will these arrive in the UK?

MD: By the end of 2024, an electrified variant of every Ford commercial vehicle will be available. Following the two-tonne E-Transit BEV, the next-generation one-tonne Ford Transit Custom range will include an all-electric model in addition to plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid and conventional engine variants from 2023. The all-electric version of a new light commercial vehicle will debut in 2024.

CC&V: Ford had three of August’s top four best sellers in the commercial table; the Transit Custom, two-tonne Transit and Ranger. With demand for vans at an all-time high, can you reassure SMEs that supply of the Ford commercial range will be good through 2022?

Ford at CV Show

Ford usually has the largest stand at the CV Show and 2021 was no different, with the new E-Transit electric van the major attraction. It features a driving range of 196 miles WLTP per charge, a maximum payload of 1,758kg and max power of 269hp, with a second, less powerful option at 183hp.

There will be 25 variants available, including panel van, double-cab-in-van (DCiV) and chassis cab and a choice of lengths, roof heights and GVM options up to 4.25 tonnes.

With the batteries stored under the body, panel van load volume will be 9.5-15.1cu m3, matching the current conventional rear-wheel drive diesel Transit models.

Existing racking designs will be transferable and there will be plenty of conversion options available, too.