E-Transit Courier bolsters Ford’s brilliant electric van range
Bliss Barcelona was the venue of choice last week for the European launch of the Ford E-Transit Courier, the newest electric member of the iconic Transit family. Now rolling off the lines at Ford’s manufacturing facility in Craiova, Romania, the new E-Transit Courier joins its combustion-powered sibling in targeting individuals, small businesses, government fleets, and last-mile delivery services.
The first generation Transit Courier was only launched just over a decade ago (2014) as the fourth and final Transit model, deriving its underpinnings from the Ford Fiesta. Naturally – being the smallest of the Transit vans – the Courier hasn’t outsold its Blue Oval stablemates, but sales figures in Ireland have remained consistent and competitive throughout the past 10 years. The Transit Courier is something of a trailblazer, however, as in 2023 it became the first van to receive a platinum safety award from Euro NCAP, thanks to its comprehensive array of driver assistance technologies – something the team at Ford Pro (that’s Ford’s commercial vehicle arm) are very proud of. Standard fitment continues to include: lane-keeping system, pre-collision assist, intelligent speed assist, and rear parking sensors.
Focusing our attention for the time being to the E-Transit Courier, this new compact electric van is fully integrated with Ford Pro’s platform of software and connected services to drive efficient operation, whether for owner-operators or large fleets – including uptime-boosting Ford Pro Software management tools and Ford Pro Service to reduce cost of ownership. To further boost productivity, the new E-Transit Courier has been completely redesigned around a larger, more flexible cargo area that delivers 25 per cent more load volume than the previous Transit Courier model, plus enhanced capability including increased payload of up to 700kg with a maximum towing weight of 750kg.
The new E-Transit Courier’s significantly enhanced capabilities start with the space-efficient squared form, which helps deliver increased load capacity in all dimensions, while its short overhangs and SUV-inspired design emphasise its toughness and capability. Compared to the first generation Transit Courier, cargo length for all of the new Transit Courier powertrain variants has been increased by 181 mm to 1,802 mm, and new rear suspension with angled shock absorbers increases the load width between the wheel-arches to 1,220 mm. This means the compact van can now carry two Euro pallets. Total cargo volume is 2.9 m3, 25 per cent more than the outgoing model.
A 44-litre frunk is standard on all E-Transit Courier models and is ideal for holding small items like charging cables and a first aid kit. A full-height steel bulkhead is standard on all panel van models, and a mesh-protected bulkhead window and load-through hatch are optional. Customers can also specify mid-height cargo rails to help secure larger items.
My maiden drive in the E-Transit Courier comprised the suburbs and hills of Barcelona, setting off from its airport’s arrivals with a 240kg cargo load tied-down in the rear. Following the pre-planned 87km route, the excellent E-Transit Courier showed to have returned a very honest fuel consumption and an accurate range metre. Just like its petrol and diesel powered sibling, the E-Transit Courier is a brilliant little van and probably the best-in-class for those shorter delivery commutes. Its one-pedal driving capability is a game-changer.
Available in two trims – Trend and Limited – both are powered by a 43kWh (usable) battery pack that offers a range of up to 300 kilometres from a full charge, and a front-mounted 100kW electric motor producing 134bhp and 290Nm of torque. It has a maximum charging speed of 100kW, which should translate to a 10 to 80 per cent top-up taking as little as 23 minutes. The Ford E-Transit Courier offers a very comprehensive standard equipment specification including a ‘squircle’ steering wheel design to improve leg room and visibility, as well as a column-mounted gear shifter, push-button ignition and an electronic handbrake to deliver increased configurable storage space.
The instrument panel contains a 12-inch digital cluster and 12-inch centre touchscreen with Ford’s latest SYNC 4 system. Subscription-based Connected Navigation can boost productivity and reduce driver workload with updates on traffic, parking, charging and local hazards. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility is standard, so too is a heated steering wheel, wireless device charging pad, auto wipers, heated door mirrors, six-way adjustable driver seat with lumbar and armrest, and 17-inch five spoke alloy wheels. An ‘Office Pack’ includes a foldaway flat work surface and lighting to make using a laptop, filling in paperwork or taking a break in the cab easier and more comfortable.
The aforementioned suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems can be added to, with an optional bundle including adaptive cruise control with lane centring and stop & go, blind spot information system with cross traffic alert, intersection assist and reverse brake assist. Every E-Transit Courier features a built-in modem as standard, enabling always-on connectivity with the Ford Pro ecosystem and wireless software updates that can evolve the vehicle’s capability over time without requiring a dealer visit.
In terms of vehicle design, the E-Transit Courier is probably the best-looking van out there at the moment, especially in the optional ‘Digital Aqua Blue’ (pictured). The electric model gets its own headlight signature and grille, but other than that looks the same as the petrol and diesel versions. Irish pricing starts at €34,640 (including VAT and delivery charges).
A USP of the Ford Transit range is the FordPass Pro mobile app, which is available to assist busy small business owners who manage their own vehicles. The complimentary smartphone app enables customers to remotely lock and unlock their van, check its location, track fuel spending, and receive health alerts for fluid levels, tyre pressures, oil life and brake condition to help prevent costly breakdowns. Customers with five or more vehicles can also benefit from one year of complimentary access to the tailored features of Ford Pro Telematics. The system uses live data to help maximise productivity, including dashboards on vehicle location, health and servicing status.
Every Transit electrified
Supporting compact van customers not yet ready to adopt full electrification, the new Transit Connect PHEV offers a highly competitive 119km EV-only driving range. The versatile van is available in two lengths and with the innovative FlexCab crew-or-cargo body style.
The E-Transit – Europe’s best-selling two-tonne electric van – now supports even more customers with an enhanced range 89 kWh battery for up to 402km electric driving and faster charging than the 68 kWh standard range variant. The E-Transit comes in van and double-cab-in-van body styles, comprehensive length and height configurations – and also as a single chassis-cab.
Ford now also offers two electrified powertrain choices for the Transit Custom (the sweet spot in the range). The E-Transit Custom delivers up to 337km WLTP range from a 64 kWh battery, with choice of 100 kW or 160 kW e-motors.
The Transit Custom PHEV, meanwhile, is designed for small businesses that are keen to electrify, but with use cases not suited to jumping straight to fully electric. The powertrain fuses up to 56 km pure-electric driving capability for city centres with petrol power for extended motorway trips. Both E-Transit Custom and Transit Custom PHEV are available in van, double-cab-in-van and MultiCab configurations.