Ford will soon introduce the van fleets have been waiting for. The all-new E-Transit Custom, the all-electric version van designed from the ground up to deliver new levels of productivity to customers in the one-tonne van segment. Continuing to build on Ford’s reputation as a commercial vehicle leader in Australia, the E-Transit Custom forms part of the brand’s plan for at least five electrified vehicles in showrooms by the end of 2024.
Ford brought the global power of its research, engineering and software capabilities to bear on E-Transit Custom, combining advanced electric vehicle technology and services to help businesses work more effectively, and simplify the transition to electric vehicles.
Inspired by insights from small and medium businesses, E-Transit Custom offers innovative customer experiences based on cloud connectivity and digital technologies.
Next-generation battery technology enables a targeted range of 337 km1 and 124kW fast-charging ability. E-Transit Custom will deliver outstanding performance for a range of customer needs.
As a great optional feature, the cab is also a business hub, with a flexible workspace including smart features like a steering wheel that tilts to become an ergonomic holder for laptops and tablets.
The digital innovation is combined with no-compromise load carrying and capability. E-Transit Custom delivers a 100 mm lower load floor for easier access. Independent rear suspension and motor power help deliver a new level of driving experience for customers.
All-electric power with uncompromised capability
E-Transit Custom’s capable new EV powertrain was designed to help small businesses and independent tradespeople – who previously relied on diesel powertrains to support their business needs – to make the switch to electric.
“Our customers made Transit Custom the most popular commercial vehicle in Europe, and we’ve listened to those customers for well over 50 years,” said Jim Farley, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company. “The new E-Transit Custom was designed and engineered to meet their needs – a Transit for the new era, but one that can still get its hands dirty when a job needs doing.”
E-Transit Custom’s 400-volt, 74 kWh useable battery pack uses advanced 81.2 Ah pouch cells shared with the Ford F-150 Lightning. The battery enables a targeted range of up to 337 km1. The battery’s direct-to-body mounting improves durability and reduces weight for optimum range.
Australian-spec vehicles will offer a 160-kW motor that delivers 415 Nm of torque. The drive motor is fitted directly to the vehicle’s rear floor, removing the need for a dedicated subframe, and is rotated 90 degrees to maximise load space and reduce weight and complexity.
E-Transit Custom uses a vapour-injected heat pump technology to heat and cool the cabin, fitted as standard to all vehicles. This new system is designed to deliver improved energy efficiency for optimum driving range.
A new brake-by-wire system enables increased range and delivers one-pedal driving capability. The system blends friction braking with regenerative braking that harvests energy during deceleration to top up the battery for extra driving range. Drivers can stop the van without using the brake pedal when in one-pedal drive mode3. The system is designed to use the friction brakes frequently enough to prevent the discs from rusting or pitting.
Charging for easy energy management
E-Transit Custom’s 11 kW AC three-phase onboard charger is capable of fully recharging the battery in 7.2 hours, so customers will be able recharge overnight after a shift.
E-Transit Custom also supports DC fast charging up to 124kW for a 15-80 per cent recharge in 41 minutes. A new charge profile front-loads the energy to enable quick, useful top-ups; in lab testing, the system delivered almost 38 km of range in just 5 minutes using a 124kW charger.
Deep insights deliver a flexible ‘office’ experience
Small businesses use their vans’ cabs as offices and canteens every day, and deep customer engagement from human-centred design lab D-Ford has made E-Transit Custom better than ever at serving as both. A new tilting steering wheel headlines the Mobile Office option pack and can become an ergonomic stand for tablets and laptops as well as a flat-topped table to make writing and lunch breaks more comfortable.
New platform, new level of customer focus
Every small business’ van is their billboard. E-Transit Custom’s confident stance, rebalanced proportions and full LED exterior lighting with distinctive light bar sets a new design benchmark for one-tonne vans. To maximise range, the flat floor, unique honeycomb grille, wind-cheating wheel designs and even rear light cluster shapes were developed using more than 800 different aerodynamic simulations, delivering a CdA improvement of more than 10 per cent compared to the previous-generation Transit Custom2.
The load floor has been lowered by 100 mm compared to the outgoing Transit Custom, to make loading cargo and accessing the cab easier. Engineers comprehensively analysed packaging, materials, safety and weight to deliver an architecture that integrates the battery into the load floor above the sill flange, eliminating the need for separate crash structures. Other underbody components are “shrink-wrapped” around the battery for optimum space and weight efficiency.
As a long wheelbase panel van with a maximum load length of 3,450 mm, E-Transit Custom offers load volumes of 6.8 cubic metres, or 9.0 cubic metres with the high roof option.
As on the larger E-Transit, all E-Transit Custom vans are fitted with semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension to contribute towards the lower floor height and to improve steering precision, handling and traction. The front wheels and strut towers have also been moved further forward, resulting in improved foot space and footrests for occupants in the front, as well as a shorter front overhang for more confident parking and manoeuvring.
E-Transit Custom’s standard suite of driver assistance systems include Pre-Collision Assist3, Lane-Keeping System3,Driver Alert3, Adaptive Cruise Control3, Traffic Sign Recognition3, Intelligent Speed Assist3, Wrong Way Alert3, front and rear parking sensors3 and a rear-view camera3.
High-tech interior suits every vocation
E-Transit Custom offers a more spacious cab and increased secure storage compared to the outgoing model. The column-mounted gear shifter, electronic handbrake and “squircle” steering wheel combine to help cross-cab access – a valuable feature for drivers who park in tight areas and want to avoid getting out into live traffic.
Every E-Transit Custom is fitted with a 13-inch landscape touchscreen angled towards the driver for ease of use, as well as Ford’s advanced SYNC 44 communication and infotainment system.
Ford designers went to such lengths when considering how owners would use E-Transit Custom that even the grains on materials used in the cabin and load area are designed to use textures that avoid trapping dirt and water, giving the best balance between offering a firm footing for wet or muddy boots and enabling heavy items to slide in and out easily.
As van drivers often occupy the cabin alone, a new Driver Focus Mode option uses sensors to direct airflow only to occupied seats. An intelligent windscreen monitors temperature and humidity, and automatically makes small heat and airflow changes to proactively keep the windscreen clear for improved efficiency and ease of use.
All Transit Custom variants will be built by Ford Otosan – Ford’s joint venture in Turkey.
1 Officially homologated driving range will be published closer to on-sale date. In accordance with the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). A range of up to 337 km published range (intended target value according to WLTP) can be achieved with a fully charged battery – depending on the existing series and battery configuration. The actual range may vary due to various factors (e.g., weather conditions, driving style, route profile, vehicle condition, age and condition of the lithium-ion battery).
2 Ford test data. Best-case improvement compared to previous-generation Transit Custom. Achieved by standard driving style in mild environmental conditions.
3 Driver-assist features are supplemental and do not replace the driver’s attention, judgment and need to control the vehicle. May not operate at certain speeds, or in certain driving, road or weather conditions. See Owner’s Manual for details and limitations.
4 Don’t drive while distracted or while using handheld devices. Use voice-operated systems when possible. Some features may be locked out while the vehicle is in gear. Not all features are compatible with all phones.
