Ford is saying ‘if you can’t beat them, join them” with a Chinese-built Transit which significantly undercuts the mainstream European-built models – but has a shorter range and less power.
The company has now revealed the full line up, including chassis cabs and conversions, providing an all-electric van platform for businesses that need something more specialised than a conventional panel truck. Ford have suggested these could include everything from camper vans to ambulances, along with the more usual supermarket delivery wagons.
The Transit City is also available as a panel van in two lengths and two roof heights, but the chassis cab opens up a wider range of applications. It uses a 56kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and 150hp electric motor, with a maximum WLTP range of 158 miles (254km), rising to 237 miles on the urban cycle.
Rapid charging from 10 to 80 per cent takes around 33 minutes, while the L2H2 panel van offers up to 8 cubic metres of load space and a maximum payload of 1,275kg. The low load height is said to be particularly useful for conversions and racking in the panel vans.
To keep the price low, the Transit City comes in a single trim level, with a 12-inch dashboard touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, keyless start and a heated driver’s seat. The entry price is £29,000 plus the VAT, compared to £43,600 for an e-Transit Custom.
Ford Pro also promises customers could save around 40% on servicing compared to an equivalent diesel van, with two-year unlimited mileage service intervals.
The City is built in China by the Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) and will be manufactured in Nanchang.
