An electric version of the Transit Connect Kombi will be just one of the highlights on display on the opening day of the Geneva Motor Show, tomorrow.
As the press previews get under way tomorrow and Wednesday before the public show which begins on Thursday (March 3), Ford will reveal the production-ready Transit Connect electric van for the first time at the show, ahead of sales which begin in Europe later this year.
The Transit Connect Electric Van is a pure electric-powered version of the award-winning, long-wheelbase Transit Connect light commercial vehicle.
Developed in conjunction with Ford’s US-based electric vehicles partner Azure Dynamics, it has a proprietary Force Drive™ battery electric drive train powered by an advanced battery pack designed by Johnson Controls-Saft.
With 28kWh of power, Transit Connect Electric has a top speed of 75mph and a range of up to 80 miles. Its lithium-ion battery pack is charged via a standard power outlet – an onboard converter then charges the battery pack. Fully charging the batteries using standard European 220/240-volt outlets takes up to 10 hours.
With a cargo volume 3.8 m3 and a payload of 410kg, this electric commercial is suited to fleet operators who travel predictable, short-range routes with frequent stop and go driving.
The Transit Connect Electric Van goes on sale in European markets later this year following its successful launch in North America in December 2010.
“By providing a variety of electrified vehicles, we are making it easier for our customers to embrace this fuel-saving technology,” said Bill Ford, executive chairman, Ford Motor Company. “This strategy is true to our heritage of making innovative technology available to as many people as possible and to our vision of developing great products, building a strong business and contributing to a better world.”
Ford has committed to introduce five full-electric and hybrid models in Europe by 2013 as part of its global electrification strategy. In addition to Transit Connect Electric, the company will launch the next-generation Ford Focus Electric in 2012, followed by hybrid and plug-in hybrid derivatives of the all-new C-MAX and another hybrid-electric model in 2013.
