- The world’s best-selling cargo van – Ford Transit – will launch a fully electric version for the United States and Canada for model year 2022, helping companies meet sustainability goals and lower costs of ownership while helping cities improve air quality and reduce noise levels.
- Built in the United States, the 100% electric Transit will be smart and connected, arming fleet owners with technological solutions such as high-speed embedded data architecture and cloud-based services to offer new ways to ” optimize park performance
- The 100% electric Transit will be built on the backbone of Ford’s 35 years of leadership in commercial vehicles, its solid manufacturing base, parts availability and service network, as well as a highly modernized network. integrated; it will come with access to the largest public charging network in North America
- The right tool for the job, the all-electric Transit will provide customers with the power of their choice in a variety of configurations, including cargo van, cutaway, chassis cab, three roof heights and three body lengths
DEARBORN, Mich., March 3, 2020 – The world’s best-selling cargo van – Ford Transit – goes digital, with an all-electric version coming for the 2022 model year.
“Commercial vehicles are an essential part of our big bet on electrification,” said Jim Farley, Chief Operating Officer, Ford Motor Company. “As leaders in this field, we are accelerating our plans to create solutions that help businesses run better, starting with our all-electric Transit and our F-150. This Ford Transit is not only about creating an electric transmission, it is about designing and developing a digital product propelling the fleets forward. “
With the world’s best-selling utility van and as the best-selling commercial van brand in the United States for 41 years, Ford intends to transition to zero emissions in the segment with its all-electric Transit. Sales of Ford truck and van fleets in the United States have increased 33% since 2015, and the company expects continued growth in US van sales as e-commerce and ‘last mile’ delivery »Increase. Ford’s overall van sales produced their best results in the fourth quarter since 1978 with 59,930 vans. Ford vans for the year totaled 240,529 vehicles. Ford predicts that electric vehicles will reach 8% of the industry in 2025 in the United States.
As consumers focus on reducing their own carbon footprint, more and more companies are setting ambitious sustainability goals. Meanwhile, cities are weighing increasingly stringent rules to tackle CO emissions2, air quality and noise reduction targets.
The all-electric Transit, which will be built in the United States *, is part of Ford’s more than $ 11.5 billion investment in electrification until 2022. This vision includes fully electric vehicles that s build on Ford’s strengths and use the company’s all-electric technology to deliver even more performance, capacity and productivity – including the 100% electric Transit sold in Europe, the Mustang Mach-E to come later this year and the previously announced all-electric F-150.
Smart and connected
“The world is moving towards electrified products and fleet customers are asking for them now,” said Farley. “We know their vehicles operate like a connected mobile business and their technology needs are different from those of retail customers. Ford is therefore deeply reflecting on the connectivity relationships that integrate with our on-board high-speed electrical architectures and our cloud-based data services to provide these businesses with intelligent vehicles beyond just electric powertrains. “
Intelligent technology integrated into the 100% electric Transit optimizes fleet efficiency and reduces waste, as well as improves driver behavior by providing information on operator performance. Fleets can take advantage of relevant data collected via Ford Telematics™ using an integrated FordPass Connect™ modem with 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot with connectivity for up to 10 devices. Managers Can Use Ford Data Services™ tools such as live GPS tracking, geo-tracking and vehicle diagnostics to see at a glance the main vehicle and driver performance indicators.
A suite of Ford driver assistance technologies can help improve driver confidence and avoid or reduce the severity of a collision **. The vehicle includes standard pre-collision assistance with automatic emergency braking plus pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, post-collision braking, lane keeping and automatic high beams.
Total package delivery machine
With 35 years of leadership in commercial vehicles, Ford knows that customers need the right tool to get the job done. The all-electric Ford Transit will offer uncompromising cargo capacity and power of choice with a variety of chassis options, including a cargo van, coupe and chassis cab, as well as three roof heights and three lengths of bodywork. Customers will benefit from the full support of the company’s extensive network of certified electric vehicle dealers, more than 730 commercial vehicle centers in the United States and Canada, and will have access to Ford’s charging network – the largest public charging network in North America ***.
Fleet operators can expect benefits beyond simply eliminating trips to the gas station. All-electric powertrains mean far less planned maintenance than internal combustion engines, plus lower operating costs. Electric vehicle fleets can benefit from federal, state and local tax incentives for electric vehicles, access to lanes reserved for very busy vehicles and free parking. Electric vehicles can operate where vans with internal combustion engines cannot, including indoors, in environments with limited ventilation, and at night in areas where noise is restricted.
More details on the all-electric Ford Transit and its features will be revealed later.
* Built in the United States with domestic and foreign parts.
** The driver assistance functions are complementary and do not replace attention, judgment and the need to control the vehicle. Pre-collision assistance with pedestrian detection detects pedestrians, but not in all conditions, and can help avoid or reduce a collision. It is not a substitute for safe driving. Refer to the owner’s manual for more details and limitations.
*** Based on original equipment manufacturers / automakers who sell all-electric vehicles and have publicly announced charging networks. Ministry of Energy data used. FordPass, compatible with certain smartphone platforms, is available for download. Messages and data rates can be applied.