Ford confirms E-Transit Custom electric van for Australian market - expected in 2024

The new E-Transit Custom is part of a range of electric vehicles in development by Ford. Images: Ford Australia

Arguably one of Ford’s most important vehicles — the Transit van — has been electrified, and is set for Australian launch this year. Today, Ford Australia confirmed a smaller sibling known as the E-Transit Custom it is set for series production in the second half of 2023, ahead of what we expect will be a 2024 local market introduction.

 Ford Australia is planning to offer five electrified vehicles by the end of 2024, though this includes plug-in hybrid vehicles as well as battery electric vehicles. The E-Transit Custom will join the Australian line-up alongside the Escape plug-in hybrid, due in showrooms in June, and the aforementioned E-Transit.

 While we don’t have full technical details for the E-Transit Custom yet, Ford states that “The E-Transit Custom is designed to set a new benchmark in the one-tonne van segment and help businesses to effortlessly make the change to electrified vehicles.” The larger E-Transit features a 68kWh battery that mated to a single electric motor making 198kW and 420Nm, delivering just over 300km of WLTP range.

We can expect Ford to be targeting Australian small business and tradesmen or “tradies”, who would benefit from low running costs, high load capacity, and the benefits of being able to use the vehicle as a power source for tools and equipment. Ford says the E-Transit Custom will offer “compelling range”, full towing capability and DC fast charging.

“The E-Transit Custom is exactly the kind of versatile, practical van business customers are looking for, with the benefit of zero-emissions efficiency,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand. “We are focused on deeply understanding the needs of commercial vehicle customers and bringing them the best of our global line-up.”

 The E-Transit Custom will be built by Ford Otosan — the blue oval’s Turkish joint venture — as part of Ford Otosan’s €2 billion investment in its electrified model line-up manufacturing facilities.

 We’ll update this article when Ford announces more information.