There are many different types of vans on the city streets. As we shop more and more online, courier companies are growing in strength. Parcel lockers appear in large and small cities like mushrooms after rain, and yet parcels must be delivered to them with high quality. Hence the growing demand for “delivery trucks” of various sizes. Diesel cars have a long range and are easy to refuel, but on the other hand, they consume a lot of fuel in the city, not to mention exhaust emissions. The electric Ford e-Transit does not have these disadvantages. And it will work perfectly in many applications.
When it comes to functionality, the “electric” is no different from the vans we have known for years. In the tested version, it is a car almost 5.5 meters long, in which the part intended for cargo has a volume of 6.8 m3. Access to it is provided by a sliding door on the right side and a double-leaf rear door. Importantly, although large batteries had to be hidden somewhere, the floor of the cargo compartment is not noticeably higher than in the combustion variants of the Transit.
Ford e-Transit Custom
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
The disadvantage of the electric version, from a practical point of view, is the large weight of the battery. This means that while maintaining the so-called permissible total weight, unfortunately the real load capacity decreases. In the case of e-Transits, it will be about 200-300 kg less than the combustion versions. Our test car could carry a maximum of 1.1 tons of cargo. This is usually not a problem because many parcels weigh little. Most often, courier “delivery trucks” are not packed to the ceiling. However, in some applications this loss of payload may be a problem, and sometimes it will mean additional kilometers.
Ford e-Transit Custom
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Ford e-Transit Custom – only for the city?
The second problem with the electric Transit – at least from the point of view of some entrepreneurs – is its range. While we can easily go on a long journey with a diesel whenever the need arises, e-Transit does not offer such freedom. In the city, e-Transit consumes from 18 to 23 kWh per 100 km – it all depends on the driving style, traffic intensity and air temperature. This best result is a quiet drive on empty streets in a car without a load, which has already had a heated cabin and has just been unplugged from the charger. It's hard to get an equally good result straight away. Realistically, when we load the electric Transit with parcels and the weather is not favorable, the result may be even worse than the one I achieved.
Ford e-Transit Custom
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
How does this translate into reach? Transit's electric batteries have a net capacity of 74 kWh, which – according to the manufacturer – means a range of 327 km in a mixed test. I had a chance to get at most 300 km – mainly while driving around the city. After loading, however, it will be much less, just over 200 km. And on the route? If it's a suburban road with a speed limit of 90 km/h, there is a chance to get 18 kWh/100 km, but already on the “express”, at 120 km/h, electricity consumption increases very quickly and exceeds 25 kWh/100 km. There are no miracles: e-Transit is not an aerodynamic Mustang Mach-E, so power consumption will increase very quickly with speed and increasing air resistance. With such an appetite for electricity, the range will quickly drop to 200 km, and this is not a value that would enable a comfortable journey.
Ford e-Transit Custom
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
What's the conclusion? Well, the Ford e-Transit will certainly not work as a universal van that will be used to pick up goods far from the place of business. However, it will be ideal as a car for delivering goods in the city or in suburban and rural areas, but only as a short-distance means of transport. For example, when you need to transport goods from a local farm to a nearby town.
Ford e-Transit Custom
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Then the range is not a problem, because the battery can be charged – during a longer standstill – even from a 230 V socket. Of course, then the energy replenishment will take a very long time – up to 19 hours when the battery is almost completely discharged. Therefore, if we use the van regularly (and we usually do), an 11 kW wallbox will work better – then the car will easily be charged in a few hours or simply overnight. Interestingly, the e-Transit can also be charged with a power of 125 kW, but firstly, it is an expensive method (the electricity in fast chargers costs a lot), and secondly, they are available mainly on expressways, and we are unlikely to drive such an e-Transit.
Ford e-Transit Custom
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Ford e-Transit Custom – performance, comfort, silence
The range of e-Transit may be a problem if we need a van for long routes. Then it is better to buy a diesel car. Apart from that, an electric delivery van has only advantages. JOne of them is good performance: the 218 HP engine is enough to accelerate efficiently, even when loaded with goods. Such a car certainly won't be a drag on the road, and that's a significant advantage in the city. Another is the fact that e-Transit drives like a passenger car. Both in terms of performance and the way it drives. Yes, we sit high on a comfortable seat, a bit like sitting on a stool, but apart from that we don't feel like we're driving a commercial car. The electric Transit behaves very stably, probably partly due to the heavy batteries placed under the floor. Thanks to them, we have a low center of gravity.
Ford e-Transit Custom
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
And in the cabin? Its design, quality and functionality correspond to a well-tailored SUV from popular brands. Although hard plastic dominates around the driver and two passengers sitting next to him, the quality of assembly is very good. Importantly, there are plenty of spacious storage compartments: in the doors, in front of the passenger seat, at the top of the dashboard, and there is also a fold-out drinks tray. There are also handles to make getting in easier. The driver's seat itself is comfortable, but its adjustment could be more extensive. Passengers have it worse because they sit on a wide, shared sofa.
Ford e-Transit Custom
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
When it comes to modern technologies, e-Transit fits into current trends. In the center of the cockpit there is a large touch screen with a logical and transparent system branded by Ford. The advantage is efficient, wireless connection with smartphones – via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. However, I don't like controlling the air conditioning from the touch screen, because I prefer traditional buttons. Fortunately, Ford has left the bar with basic air conditioning functions permanently.
Ford e-Transit Custom
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Instead of traditional indicators, there is also a screen, slightly smaller than the main one. The information presented there is clear, but we have little ability to change the set of data presented here. There are also many accessories on board to make driving easier: a 360 camera system (available in an additional package), a blind spot monitoring system and automatic braking.
Ford e-Transit Custom
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Jarosław Horodecki / Onet
Ford e-Transit Custom – is it worth buying?
If you need a universal car for a small company, the Ford e-Transit will probably not be a good choice. When you have to go to a distant place to pick up goods, there will be a problem – in this case, there is nothing better than a Transit with a diesel engine.. The electric Transit will therefore be perfect when a long range is not needed and economical fuel management is useful, which in this case is electricity, perhaps partly from photovoltaics. If realistic, the e-Transit will be a comfortable, fuel-efficient and practical van. Perfect for everyday work.
Ford e-Transit Custom, technical data:
Electric motor, 218 HP, 415 Nm. Automatic gearbox, 1-speed. Maximum speed – 130 km/h. Average power consumption: 23 kWh/100 km (WLTP), range: 327 km (WLTP). Price: from PLN 181,000 zloty.
The car was loaned by the brand's importer and returned after the test
