The future of commerce is revolutionized with the all new all-electric E-Transit Custom to be produced in Kocaeli Plants
LONDON, UK, Sept. 8, 2022 – Ford Pro today introduced the van small businesses across Europe have been waiting for.
The all-new E-Transit Custom, the all-electric version of Europe’s best-selling van, is designed from the ground up to deliver new levels of productivity to customers in the one-tonne van segment. E-Transit Custom, Ford's second all-electric commercial vehicle model in Europe, which will be produced at Ford Otosan Kocaeli Plants, is of strategic importance in Ford's electric transformation.
Ford brought the global power of its research, engineering and software capabilities to bear on E Transit Custom, combining advanced electric vehicle technology with Ford Pro’s digital ecosystem of software and services to help businesses reduce cost of ownership, work more effectively, and simplify the transition to electric vehicles.
Designed by power of Ford's global research, engineering and software capabilities, E-Transit Custom will combine advanced electric vehicle technology with Ford Pro's digital software and services ecosystem, helping businesses reduce cost of ownership, operate more efficiently and facilitate their transition to electric vehicles.
“Ford Pro and the E-Transit Custom are redefining what a commercial vehicle can do – powering working people and businesses into a new digital age,” said Jim Farley, president and CEO, Ford Motor Company. “Our customers made Transit Custom the most popular commercial vehicle in Europe, and we’ve listened to those customers for well over 50 years. 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.”
Next-generation battery technology enables a targeted range of 380 km and 125 kW fast charging ability. E-Transit Custom will deliver outstanding performance for a range of customer needs – all supported by Ford Pro’s end-to-end solutions to manage and optimise charging.
The digital innovation is combined with no-compromise load carrying and capability. E-Transit Custom delivers payloads up to 1,100 kg, a lower load floor with easier access, and maximum towing capacity of 2,000 kg. Independent rear suspension and class-leading 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.
Customers can choose from 100 kW or 160 kW (135 PS or 217 PS) motor power outputs to suit their needs, each offering a class-leading 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 loadspace and reduce weight and complexity. The powerful electric drivetrain delivers a class-leading towing capacity of up to 2,000 kg, meaning E-Transit Custom could replace diesel vehicles in roles that no other all-electric van can match. An optional retractable towbar can be fitted for more convenience.
E-Transit Custom is the first-ever electric vehicle to use 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.
Ford Pro Charging for easy energy management
Energy management is a key consideration for businesses – even more so for smaller operations that may not have access to full-time fleet managers, or depots for overnight charging. Time-constrained customers who park at home will benefit from Ford Pro’s expert consultation, simple wall-box installation and maintenance, integration with Ford vehicles and intuitive software to make planning and paying for charging easy.
E-Transit Custom’s 11 kW AC three-phase onboard charger is capable of fully recharging the battery in 7.8 hours, so customers will be able recharge overnight after a shift. During busy days, they can track current charge state on-the-go using the FordPass Pro smartphone app.
Designed to deliver an unprecedented customer 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 is capable of becoming an ergonomic stand for tablets and laptops as well as a flat-topped table to make writing and lunch breaks more comfortable. The pack also includes dimmable LED lighting to illuminate the tilted steering wheel area, an additional dome light in the roof and storage between the seats for documents and devices.
Delivery drivers can make up to 200 stops and deliver 500 items per day, with every parcel against the clock. Delivery Assist helps streamline every delivery by automating some of the process to help save time and improve security. When enabled, Delivery Assist activates when the driver shifts into park. E-Transit Custom will automatically switch on its hazard lights, close any open windows, and lock the door once the driver leaves the van. When returning, the driver can keylessly enter and start the vehicle. The hazard lights will switch off and the windows will return to their previous position.
Digital Key is designed to simplify complex key management, and functions just like a hotel keycard. Operators can remotely assign and track keys to people and vehicles rather than spending time and money duplicating, managing and replacing keys.
E-Transit Custom also stands out with its security features. Among the driver support technologies offered by E-Transit Custom; Pre-Collision Assist, Lane-Keeping System, Driver Alert, Cruise Control with Adjustable Speed Limiter, Traffic Sign Recognition, Intelligent Speed Assist, Wrong Way Alert, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera.
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 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. Ford is also introducing a segment-first roof-mounted airbag that enables dashboard storage large enough to take a laptop or A4 file, as well as increase flexibility for upfit panels and devices which can now be fitted closer to the driver using industry-standard AMPS mountings.
Every E-Transit Custom is fitted with a 13 inch landscape touchscreen angled towards the driver for ease of use, equipped with Ford’s advanced SYNC 4 communication and infotainment system powered by a new 5G modem for superfast connectivity to the Ford Pro tech stack.
All Transit Custom variants will be built by Ford Otosan – Ford’s joint venture in Turkey – in an all-new plant on the company’s Yeniköy site, delivered as part of a previously announced €2 billion facilities investment.
The plant features state-of-the-art manufacturing and battery assembly facilities that strengthen Ford Otosan as a centre of excellence for commercial vehicle production and home of European Transit manufacturing.
Ford Otosan, which recently announced its targets to become carbon neutral in 2030 in its production facilities and R&D center in Turkiye, aims to sell only zero-emission vehicles by 2030 in passenger vehicles, by 2035 in light and medium commercial vehicles, and by 2040 in heavy commercial vehicles. In parallel with this goal, Ford Otosan, the sole European manufacturer of E-Transit and E-Transit Custom, continues to play a critical role in Ford's electrification strategy.
Ford Otosan, which manufactures 88% of the Transit family vehicles sold by Ford in Europe in Kocaeli, has launched Ford's first all-electric commercial model E-Transit, produced with 100% renewable electrical energy at its Kocaeli Plants.
