CHICAGO — A pure electric version of the Ford Transit Connect small van is set to debut at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show this week. Based on the gasoline-powered Transit Connect, which captured the 2010 North American Truck of the Year award last month, the electric van is slated for production later this year.
Ford is collaborating with Oak Park, Michigan-based Azure Dynamics Corporation on the Transit Connect Electric's battery-electric powertrain and Johnson Controls-Saft's advanced lithium-ion battery technology. Ford says the battery pack is expected to last the life of the vehicle.
When the Transit Connect Electric is moving, battery power flows from the drive motor through the electric powertrain's motor controller. According to Ford, the motor controller then uses "throttle input from the driver to convert DC power supplied by the battery into three precisely timed signals used to drive the motor."
The onboard AC/DC converter allows the van's main battery pack to charge the onboard 12-volt battery, which powers its accessories including the headlights, power steering and coolant pumps.
Ford says the van will accelerate at a similar rate to the gas-powered Transit Connect and will have a top speed of 75 mph. Its targeted range is 80 miles on a full charge. A full charge takes 6-8 hours using either a standard 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt charge station installed at the van's main residence. A transportable cord that works with both types of outlets will be available.
The Transit Connect Electric's charge port is fitted above the passenger-side rear wheelwell. The onboard liquid-cooled 28-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack is charged by connecting the charge port. Inside the vehicle, an onboard charger converts the AC power from the electric grid to DC power to charge the battery pack.
Ford says the new electric system doesn't decrease the Transit Connect's cargo volume, which measures 135 cubic feet with 59.1 inches of floor-to-ceiling load height and 47.8 inches of load width between the wheel arches.
The Transit Connect Electric is the first vehicle in Ford's new electric vehicle plan. Up next: the Focus Electric in 2011, plus a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and next-generation hybrid technology in 2012.
Inside Line says: If your business runs a predictable daily route, the Transit Connect Electric could be more economical than its gasoline-powered twin. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor
Add A Comment »
steveligor says:
12:19 PM, 03/29/2010
If you're going to produce a delivery van for the commercial market then in needs to be able last all day and be reliable. Charging VS. Fill It Up and get moving. You decide.
Steve Ligor
mikedrud says:
02:28 PM, 02/10/2010
A great idea for airport van pools/shuttles, taxis and municipal vehicles; but I have to agree with all of you. Unless you can afford to drive these for only 1/2 day and then recharge, you probably would only have limited use for them. Taxis certainly drive well over 80/day and you'd figure shuttles would too. Taking 6 - 8 hours to charge up is understandable but too long to be practical.
atenza94546 says:
02:22 PM, 02/09/2010
Again, Ford are not considering the diesel Ford Transit Connect.
Electrical cars are not very reliable yet, although it gives a very powerful torque. Imagine the Van got stuck on a freeway for two hours.
The optional are Diesel with Hybrids.
Look no one is going to wait for another 6 - 8 hours for you to charge up your Van then received their Valentine's Day gift.
gmhl10 says:
07:41 AM, 02/09/2010
Well, if the city isn't big (I'm in Honolulu), it should work fine. What if the business is like a restaurant or bar business and all you really need is one or two trips a day to Costco or the like? What about a catering business that uses it only to move the supplies and equipment there? Delivery isn't the only purpose for the Transit Connect.
jepontiac says:
07:04 AM, 02/09/2010
okay, this doesn't make sense. This thing is a delivery van. That means it needs to be moving in order to make a business money. 80 miles a day is not enough for the typical commercial user. What company will pay a premium for a vehicle that can't even put in a full day?