2023_11_Sustainable Truck&Van

SMART TEST
Ford Pro.
Launched no later
than last year, the
Ford Pro brand
aims to provide
customer in the
commercial vehicle
sector with a
series of solutions
that may increase
their productivity.
Ford Pro solutions
combine software,
charging,
assistance and
financial products.
ZERO-EMISSION FORD RANGE
The electric versions of the Ford E-Transit Custom
and the small-sized Ford E-Transit Courier already
presented to the market are on the launch pad.
They will complete the Blue Oval’s range of
zero-emission cargo vans, in both cases with the
benefits of the Ford Pro solution. In the case of
the medium-sized Custom van, we are talking
about a range of nearly 400 kilometers and the
possibility of ultra-fast charging with power up to
125 kW for a ‘fill-up’ of up to 80 percent in just
40 minutes.
On the other hand, the Ford E-Transit Courier is
expected for next year. It will be equipped with a
100 kW power motor and One-Pedal technology
to handle acceleration and braking with a single
pedal. Provision for fast charging, up to 100 kW
of power, is planned too. The cargo space will be
capable of carrying up to 2 euro pallets.
A real Transit, then, with the added pleasure of
a quiet and relaxing drive with zero emissions.
This is the E-Transit, a model that in terms of
technological solutions and technical choices
ranks at the top of the electric category. Without
compromise. It houses, for example, the
electric equipment under the floor (the motor
is on the rear axle, the 68-kWh battery pack
is in the middle), with load compartment dimensions
(up to 15.1 cubic meters) that do not
change compared to the Transit with a combustion
engine, while the over 300 kilometers
of rage (WLTP cycle) take away any anxiety
about recharging.
Up to 34 minutes to reach 80%
The wide range includes weights from 3.5 to
4.25 tons, payload capacity up to 1,616 kilograms,
two power outputs (184 and 269 horsepower),
three lengths (5,531, 5,981, 6,707
mm), two wheelbases (3,300, 3,750 mm) and
two heights, for a total of 25 versions. They
are all richly equipped, as is the Ford tradition,
and with a couple of gems such as Pre-conditioning
(it heats the cabin while the vehicle
is charging) and Pro Power on Board (it allows
external equipment to be powered with
an additional 2.3 kW). Charging ranges from
the expected 11 hours with 7 kW wallbox to
34 minutes for an 80 percent fill with 115 kW
superfast Dc.
So, Ford E-Transit also raises the bar when
it comes to connectivity, implementing systems
and technologies that help customers manage
Highlights
Model type
Ford E-Transit
Est. range
300 km (WLTP)
Battery type
lithium-ion
Battery capacity
68 kWh
Est. charging time (AC) 11 hours (7 kW)
Est. charging time (DC)
34 min (115 kW, up to 80%)
E-motor power options 135 kW (184hp);
197 kW (269 hp)
E-motor torque
430 Nm
their operations more efficiently. Maximizing
productivity by reducing downtime. With
E-Transit, through Ford Pro, the Blue Oval’s
new global brand dedicated to the world of
commercial vehicles that offers a wide range
of products, services and technologies aiming
precisely at maximizing efficiency, all this is a
concrete possibility, which in a way puts the
transition process to electrification in a different
light. Indeed, Ford’s new electric van is a
connected platform, or more precisely an ecosystem
of digital tools to translate the potential
of the battery-powered vehicle into a concrete
business reality, for the benefit of zero-emission
mobility.
The connectivity needed
FordPass connect, the modem (standard) that
provides precisely the connectivity needed to
help commercial vehicle customers optimize
their fleet efficiency (while taking advantage
of over-the-air updates for navigation and other
features), goes precisely in this direction. Similarly,
added value is provided by the Sync 4 infotainment
system with 12-inch touch-screen,
voice recognition and cloud-optimized navigation,
which is onboard a Ford commercial
vehicle for the first time.
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