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.

Ford Australia to introduce E-Transit electric commercial vehicle in 2022

It may not be the Mustang Mach-E or the F150 Lighting, but Ford Australia has announced an electrification strategy that will kick off with the E-Transit commercial vehicle in mid-2022, and will eventually include five new electric Ford models for the Australian market by 2024.

The E-Transit is a 68 kWh battery electric vehicle, with a WLTP rated range of 317 km (197 miles). The rear-mounted motor produces 198kW and 430Nm of torque, driven through the rear wheels. Those are some serious numbers for a commercial vehicle. The current 2021 on the market outputs around 125kW for comparison.

According to Anna Hercan, Transit Retail & Product Marketing Manager, Ford Australia, “Our business customers tell us how important it is for them to have their van ready whenever it’s needed. E-Transit has more than enough range for a full day’s work, can fully charge overnight so it’s ready for the next morning and there’s no sacrifice in its load-carrying capacity or convenience.”

To meet customers’ expectations, the E-Transit offers 11.3kW AC and 115kW DC charging, with a 15-80 percent charge taking around 34 minutes on a DC fast charger. According to Ford Australia, E-Transit offers drive modes tailored to its electric powertrain. A special Eco Mode can provide between eight and 10 per cent improvement in energy usage if E-Transit is driven without cargo, or at highway speeds. Eco Mode limits top speed, regulates acceleration and optimises climate control to help maximise the available driving range.

The vehicle also supports Scheduled Pre-Conditioning, enabling the climate control system to be programmed to adjust the cabin to the preferred temperature while the vehicle is still on charge, ensuring that the maximum driving range is available.

E-Transit also offers 11.3 cubic metres of cargo space in mid-roof specification and 12.4 cubic metres for the high roof version, both of which are identical to the Transit 350L RWD diesel equivalents currently available. Gross vehicle mass of up to 4.2 tonnes is offered, with a targeted payload of 1,616 kg.

According to market research company YouGov, 58 per cent of businesses can see EV’s becoming a part of their vehicle fleet in the future. Furthermore, 63 per cent of Aussie consumers would like to see cleaner and more sustainable commercial vehicle fleets on the road and 52 per cent are likely to consider an electrified vehicle for their next vehicle purchase.

Ford Australia will bring new battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to Australia, as part of a plan to build an electrified future down under. According to Andrew Birkic, president and CEO of Ford Australia and New Zealand, “We are accelerating our electrified future in Australia, [and] we are anticipating the needs of each type of customer and bringing the best of our global lineup to meet those requirements. For business customers, E-Transit delivers the durability and capability they need to serve their customers, along with zero-emissions efficiency.”

We expect this plan to include a mix of battery-only (BEVs) and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs); while Ford is implementing its electrification strategy, building battery plants, new factories, and partnering with Volkswagen to leverage Wolfsburg’s Modular Electric Drive (MEB) platform architecture, all this takes time, and it is unlikely the fruits of such pursuits would make their way to Australia in two years.

With Hyundai and Kia planning more volume BEVs by 2022, and an expected wave of new Chinese cars to reach our shores by next year, Ford may be a bit late to the BEV party.

Back to the E Transit though; the last-mile delivery market in Australia is an untapped opportunity for e-mobility manufacturers. With the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic on business, alongside increasing costs of fuel and road charges, businesses in Australia are looking for more ways to save money and the environment. Furthermore, commercial vehicles are more often than not dirty, diesel soot-belching models, and these noisy vehicles spend a large percentage of their lives idling on residential streets. If Ford can make a business case for the E Transit here, other global manufacturers are sure to follow. Let’s just hope we will see the Mustang Mach-E here eventually.

[Updated] Ford to commence Mustang Mach-E police cruiser trial with Michigan State Police

[Updated] 26/09/21: The Mustang Mach-E became the first all-electric vehicle to pass the rigorous Michigan State Police 2022 model year evaluation. Testing included acceleration, top speed, braking and high-speed pursuit, as well as emergency response handling characteristics. Michigan State Police is one of two law enforcement agencies that annually test new model year police vehicles and publish the results for use by agencies nationwide.

“The fact that the Mustang Mach-E successfully stood up to the grueling Michigan State Police evaluation demonstrates that Ford can build electric vehicles that are capable, tough and reliable enough for even the most challenging jobs,” said Ted Cannis, CEO of Ford Pro. “We understand the needs of our commercial customers and are committed to unlocking new electrification opportunities for them.”

Hot on the heels of Ford of Great Britain revealing a Mustang Mach-E police vehicle trial, Ford USA has announced that as part of its $30 billion investment in electrification over the next 3 years, the automaker would also implement a pilot program - hopefully the first of many - testing an all-electric Mustang Mach-E with the Michigan State Police.

The Mustang Mach-E is an aggressive and sporty EV, and looks even tougher in police livery. While this particular example is not fitted with a lightbar, we expect that Ford will, in time, develop an in-house police package for electric vehicles that streamline the acquisition process for police fleets.

Tesla’s Model 3 has been a popular choice among law enforcement officials who have chosen to electrify their fleets; we’ve seen Westport Connecticut’s police chief demonstrate considerable savings after one year of running a Model 3, and Bargesville Indiana police’s Tesla save the department -and taxpayer- $6,000 in gas/fuel costs after twelve months.

With Tesla’s built-in surround view camera system, police departments are able to avoid costly retrofits of camera systems, and the automaker has even worked with police departments to help implement computer systems and access the car’s internal data systems.

Ford has likely been closely watching Tesla’s foray into the first-responder fleet market, and will also be aiming to assist police departments decarbonise their fleets. The police vehicle market is a profitable one in the USA, and Ford alone has sold between twenty and forty thousand police vehicles per year for the last few years.

Ford partners with Redwood Materials to recycle EVs, and provide battery materials

Ford’s EV architecture will soon use recycled battery components in a deal with Redwood materials. Image: Ford

Ford is partnering up with Redwood Materials with a plan to create a closed loop supply chain system for its future range of electric vehicles. Redwood Materials is the brainchild of former Tesla CTO JB Straubel, and the company wants to address the problems of growing e-waste by developing an end-of-life supply chain to provide materials to battery manufacturers and automakers.

According to a Redwood Materials media statement, “we [Redwood Materials] need to start planning now for the end-of-life of batteries as we ramp up to build millions of EVs that can’t be disposed of safely without a robust recycling solution.  The exciting side of this problem is that the critical materials inside of a battery are essentially infinitely recyclable.  Unlike gasoline, the materials are not consumed or lost in their lifetime of usage in the vehicle.”

Ford has already seen success with its Mustang Mach-E, and as the electrified F-150 Lightning enters pre-production, the automaker is sure to see battery cell and component demand soar over the short-to-medium term.

Battery modules used in Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, manufactured by SK Innovation. Image: SK Innovation

Redwood Materials currently partners with battery manufacturers such as Panasonic/Tesla in Nevada, and Envision in Tennessee. The company received a healthy $700 million capital injection in late July, through a successful fundraising round from the likes of Baillie Gifford, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Amazon and more.

Redwood plans to soon supply anode and cathode materials back to the American supply chain, and the company states that the deal with ford will span a vehicle battery’s entire lifecycle. To further advance these business opportunities between the companies, Ford has invested $50 million in Redwood to help them expand their manufacturing footprint.

It’s positive to see Ford thinking ahead like this; while many automakers like Volkswagen and Stellantis are simply scrambling to build up battery capacity to meet growing demand, Ford’s long-term strategic partnership should provide the company with an opportunity to not only secure enough materials to meet production demand, but reduce costs of production, and the associated environmental footprint.

Ford Mustang Mach-E police car concept shows future of UK policing

Ford of Britain’s Mustang Mach-E concept. Images: Ford of Britain

Ford’s electric Mustang Mach-E has received a makeover for police duties in the UK, wearing the iconic blue and lime checker design of UK police forces. We’ve seen police forces the world over begin the shift to zero-emissions electric vehicles, due to positive environmental, operational and budgetary outcomes. From Tesla Model 3’s in Westport, Connecticut, to Hyundai Kona Electrics in Sydney, Australia, it’s only a matter of time before more and more EVs end up in the hands of first responders.

Ford UK has worked with emergency service vehicle conversion specialists Safeguard SVP, based in Essex. Among the equipment fitted to the concept car are bespoke mounting pods and brackets to ensure suitable locations are found for operational use, with minimal damage to the vehicle. All lighting is LED with very low power consumption to reduce current draw from the vehicle’s 12V power system.

The initial concept is a demonstrator Mustang Mach-E Standard Range AWD (all-wheel drive). Subject to testing of this model, Ford is planning to offer Extended Range version of its RWD (rear-wheel drive) and AWD versions. The extended battery types would give the police even greater range, and therefore versatility and capability, for police operations.

“The vehicle range is uncompromised as the blue light equipment is being drawn from the vehicle’s 12V battery and not the drive battery,” says Terry Adams, Blue Light Direct Sales Manager, Ford of Britain and Ireland. In future developments we will look to increase this battery capacity to allow for additional equipment to be fitted.”

The Mustang Mach-E is rated at up to 273 miles (440km) WLTP range, depending on model. The GT version is capable of hitting 62 mph (100km/h) in 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 111 mph (178 km/h)

The Metropolitan Police Force has already appraised the standard Mustang Mach-E and has now requested a full evaluation of the marked concept. Seven forces have either tested the new vehicle or requested a full evaluation of a specially-built concept car. Also waiting for an opportunity to try the new Mustang Mach-E are the Sussex, Surrey, South Wales, Dyfed Powys, Devon & Cornwall and Police Scotland forces.

Ford to reveal all electric F-150 pickup truck on May 19 - updated with Livestream link

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

You know time are a-changin’ when the best-selling vehicle in the United States ditches its internal combustion engine.

The F-150 Lightning will be revealed on May 19 at Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn Michigan via live-stream on YouTube, and will also be presented at 18 key locations for the brand including Times Square in New York City and Las Vegas Boulevard, otherwise known as ‘Las Vegas Strip’.

Ford President and CEO Jim Farley said “Every so often, a new vehicle comes along that disrupts the status quo and changes the game … Model T, Mustang, Prius, Model 3. Now comes the F-150 Lightning. America’s favorite vehicle for nearly half a century is going digital and fully electric. F-150 Lightning can power your home during an outage; it’s even quicker than the original F-150 Lightning performance truck, and it will constantly improve through over-the-air updates.”

Americans love their pickup trucks, and Ford clearly doesn’t want to be left behind the competition, with General Motors planning an electric Chevrolet Silverado, Rivian moving swiftly on the development of their R1T, and Tesla hoping to start production of its Cybertruck this year.

The F-150 Electric will be manufactured at the new Rouge Electric Vehicle Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

Source: Ford Media

Auto Shanghai 2021: The coolest new models, concepts and more! All the EV news from the show [updated]

After years of declining patronage at international auto shows, it’s nice to see Auto Shanghai 2021 bustling with concept cars, consumers and of course electric vehicles. We’re putting together a full run down of all new and concept electric vehicles that Auto Shanghai 2021 has to offer; check back here as this page is updated!

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Audi A6 e-tron concept

Chinese buyers love large, luxurious sedans, so what better venue for Audi to unveil its A6 e-tron concept? With similar dimensions to the current A6/A7 models, the e-tron concept is based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) modular architecture that also underpins Porsche’s Taycan and the e-tron GT. Set for a 2023 release, the A6 e-tron concept signals a new design direction for Ingolstadt, with complex, angular surfaces out, and an aerodynamic shape with seamless concave and convex surfaces in. It features a drag coefficient of 0.22cd, and Audi claims up to 100 kWh of battery cells, up to 700 km (434 miles) range and 270 kW peak charging speed thanks to its 800V system architecture.

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Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron

The new Audi Q4 range is incredibly important for the brand from Ingolstadt in the Chinese context; sales in China were up 5.4 percent in 2020 to 727,358 units (up from 690,083 in 2019), and globally, SUVs account for 66 percent of the brand’s sales. With two body styles, two battery sizes — 52 kWh and 77 kWh — and DC fast charging up to 125 kW, the Q4 is Volkswagen Group’s premium offering on the MEB platform, sitting alongside the cheaper VW ID.4. The Q4 range will be the first Audi model to roll out of SAIC-VW’s joint venture (JV) manufacturing facility in Shanghai, and pricing is expected to start around RMB 420,000 ($64,640 USD).

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Baojun KiWi EV

Based on the Baojun E300 from the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture, this microcar is the product of a further corporate tie-up with DJI. The drone company appears to be keen to utilise its expertise to develop hardware, sensors and autonomous software for electric vehicles, following years of development. It’s just a concept for now, but we fully expect SAIC-GM-Wuling to leverage DJI’s technology for future BEVs.

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BMW i4 M-Sport

Though we still don’t have the full specifications for BMW’s upcoming i4 sport sedan, the company is teasing us with this M-Sport variant that wears tougher looking front and rear bumpers complete with carbon fibre trim. We’re not sold on this look — especially next to some of the fantastic design coming out of Ingolstadt Germany and Namyang South Korea — but we are sold on the 0-62 mph (0-100km/h) time of 4 seconds, 80 kWh battery with 300 miles (482 kilometres) range and the fact this is a sport sedan rather than a hulking SUV. The i4 range is expected to go on sale worldwide in the second half of 2021.

See more of our BMW i4 coverage and full image gallery here

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BMW iX

Speaking of hulking SUVs, here’s BMW’s iX. We understand the importance of this car given the success of BMW’s X5 and X7 models, so it’s great to see BMW emphasising the importance of zero emissions drivetrains. The iX will come in xDrive50 and xDrive40 variants, with 370 kW (503 PS) and 240 kW (326 PS) respectively. The iX range will offer up to 249 miles (400 kilometres) of range, and debut BMW’s new technology toolkit, with enhanced connectivity, digital services, and a new generation i-Drive system. Chinese consumers will find Tencent applications built into the BMW iX, as well as a native WeChat functionality. Read more of our iX coverage here.

BYD’s EA1 Hatchback

BYD EA1

BYD’s newest small car debuted at Auto Shanghai, and signals the future direction of the brand’s compact-class city models. Designed by BYD’s Global Design Director Wolfgang Egger, It features some pleasing design details that mimic VW’s ID.3, while retaining a unique Chinese personality. Based upon the company’s e-Platform 3.0, the EA1 won’t be short of cutting-edge technology, with BYD’s signature blade battery and 800 volt architecture available across the model range. BYD plans a ‘hot’ variant, and in exciting news for Australia, BYD and Australian importer Nexport plan to bring the EA1 down under in late 2021.

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Cadillac Lyriq (General Motors)

GM has gone all in on battery electric vehicles, and the luxury brand Cadillac has debuted its full-size electric SUV based on the new Ultium platform. This modular design allows for efficient packaging of electronics, batteries and thermal management, and includes new technologies like a wireless battery management system. There are familiar Cadillac styling cues, with the vertical, slim-line headlights and angular design. The Lyric features a full-length glass roof, 23 inch wheels, and a 33 inch (yes, 33) in car LED display. Cadillac will also debut an in-car active noise cancelling system, aiming to reduce wind noise and tyre hum for passengers. Cadillac has stated that Chinese buyers will be able to order the Lyric in late 2021, for deliveries commencing early next year.

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Image: Ford China

Ford Evos

Ford has debuted the EVOS at Auto Shanghai, the first model from the blue oval under a new China 2.0 plan and “Progressive Energy in Strength” design philosophy. According to Ford, the company is focused on “electrification and intelligence, customer-centered products and services and upgraded customer experience”. The EVOS features a 1.1m-wide horizontal screen, a virtual personal assistant (similar to NIO’s Nomi) and is based on the all-new Fully Networked Vehicle E/E architecture, which supports dynamic over-the-air software updates. The Ford EVOS will be built by Changan Ford, sold and serviced through the Ford NDSD distribution network across China.

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Image: Ford China

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford is bringing the Mustang Mach-E to China, and the first domestically built variant — the Mustang Mach-E GT First Edition — is now available to pre-order. Prices will range from RMB 265,000-379,900 ($40,820-$58,520 USD). Ford says owners will have access to over 160,000 fast chargers in more than 340 cities across the country through an exclusive app, as well as access to NIO’s nationwide fast charging network. The Mustang Mach-E GT first edition will be powered by two electric motors making 358 kW (486 PS) and 860 Nm (634 pound-feet) torque. A less expensive entry model will eventually be introduced, but all Mustang Mach-E’s in China will receive the GT front fascia.

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The Genesis Electrified G80. Image: Genesis

Genesis Electrified G80

Genesis’s design language has evolved into something quite striking; it’s not pretty but it is elegant, and has loads of presence. Sort of like a futuristic tech-heavy Bentley to our mind. Utilising Hyundai Motor Corporation’s BEV experience and expertise, the Electrified G80 comes with dual motor all-wheel-drive as standard, and 350 kW rapid charging with 427 kilometres WLTP range. Like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, 400 - 800 volt electricals are standard, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) is available for customers. Genesis quotes a 0-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds for the luxe sedan. Expect more details and a North American launch later in 2021.

Hyundai’s Giugiaro inspired Ioniq 5

Hyundai Ioniq 5

We love the look of this car. It’s 8-bit retro-futurism personified, with the Giorgetto Giugiaro inspired headlights and roofline, to the ‘parametric pixel’ design language. Available with 52 kWh and 72 kWh batteries in rear and all wheel drive, Chinese buyers looking for something different should appreciate the road presence of the Ioniq 5 (it’s bigger than a Tesla Model 3) as well as the interior comfort. Thanks to the company’s new E-GMP platform, the Ioniq 5 is able to push the wheels to the corners of the car, and stretch the wheelbase to 3 metres. We were hands on with the Ioniq 5 last week, and can tell you that that wheelbase provides for an incredibly spacious and relaxing interior.

The Mercedes Benz EQB. Image: Mercedes Benz

Mercedes Benz EQB

The Mercedes Benz battery electric vehicle onslaught is here, with the EQB following the recent EQS and EQA launches. Mercedes would like to you think this EQB is based on its all-new Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA), it’s actually based on the combustion engined GLB, and it shows. Thankfully, it’s dorky looks should mean plenty of interior space, with seven seats available. Battery capacity is up to 66.5 kWh with 100 kW rapid charging, and there are front and all wheel drive options available in Europe and China. Expect the US and Australia to get all wheel drive only variants.

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NIO’s ET7 sedan. Image: NIO

NIO ET7

We really hope NIO brings the ET7 to markets outside China. This rather good looking sports sedan will offer battery sizes of 70, 100 and 150 kWh, dual motor all wheel drive, and a system output of 480 kW (652 PS) and 850 Nm (626 lb ft). NIO has commenced body-in-white production this month, and hopes to have customer ready ET7s landing in Q1 2022. As the first sedan in NIO’s line up, the ET7 is an important car, and is expected to compete with Tesla’s refreshed Model S, as well as offerings from BYD, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. the ET7s party piece is its Aquila Super Sensing system with over 33 high-performance sensing units including one ultralong-range high-resolution LiDAR.

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Image: Great Wall Motors

ORA Lightning Cat (Great Wall Motors)

ORA is Great Wall Motors’ all-electric brand, and the Lightning Cat is a kooky-but-fun visual mashup of a VW beetle, Porsche 911 and Panamera and Tesla Model 3. With dual motors and all wheel drive, the Lightning Cat can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.5 seconds according to Great Wall Motors. Oval headlights, two-tone paint and a glasshouse that resemble the Porsche Panamera’s somehow work, and the interior at least looks quite upscale, with a sporty three spoke steering wheel, retro instruments, a suspended centre control area with additional touchscreen, and orange sports seats.

The Seres SF5. Image: Huawei

Seres SF5

Seres’s entry into the BEV market comes in the form of a jointly-developed SUV with tech giant Huawei. The SF5 dual motor variant features 405kW and 820Nm, as well as a 1.5 litre four cylinder engine which acts as a range extender. According to Chinese market information, the SF5 has an electric-only range of 150 kilometres, but the small battery helps keep the cost of the vehicle down; RMB 216,800 in China ($33,370 USD). As you would expect, seamless integration with Huawei’s smart phones is available through the in car entertainment system, and the SF5 features adaptive cruise control and active steering assistance technology as part of its Level 2 autonomous driving system.

Image: Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota BZ4X

Toyota has finally been dragged into the BEV sphere, announcing the BZ4X SUV as part of a full-scale electrified model roll-out by 2025. The BZ4X is based on the e-TNGA platform co-developed with Subaru, and features Subaru’s all-wheel drive system. Not a huge amount is known about the drivetrain under this model as it is still officially a concept, but the BZ4X is expected to be built in Japan for western markets, and at the Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co factory for the Chinese domestic market. Expect a launch date sometime in 2022.

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Volkswagen’s China-only ID.6 X and ID.6 Crozz. Image: Volkswagen

Volkswagen ID.6 X, ID.6 Crozz

The ID.6 range is the first all-electric model designed for a specific market, with popular Chinese apps and the ability to check local air quality levels in the infotainment system. Based on the EV-only MEB platform architecture, this 4,876mm long (192 inches) SUV is longer and wider than the US-only Atlas model. 58 and 77 kWh versions will be available, with 430 km (270 miles) and 580 km (365 miles) NEDC range. Rear and all-wheel-drive versions will be available, but pricing isn’t expected to be finalised until later this year. VW’s rivals in this segment include the NIO ES8, Li Xiang One, and Geely’s Xingyue L.

Xpeng’s new P5 sedan. Image: Xpeng

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV Convertible (SAIC-GM-Wuling)

Errr… What is this? I hear you ask. Bear with us; this is the coolest little convertible going into production at Auto Shanghai. Based on the Hong Guang Mini EV, The Convertible is a chic city car with 120 km (75 miles) of range from a 9.3 kWh battery, or 170 km (106 miles) of range from a 13.9 kWh battery. Top speed is low — as you would expect — peaking at 100 km/h (62 mph). However it seats four, and is guaranteed to be easy to park at 2,917 mm long. The Convertible should be a good seller for Wuling; the hardtop version sold over 40,000 units in March, to be China’s best selling EV. Keep an eye out for it later in the year.

Xpeng P5

We’ve previously covered the Xpeng P5 launch extensively, and as the Chinese NEV luxury sedan market heats up, the P5 will prove to be an important car for the new automaker. Xpeng will likely beat NIO to market with the first production vehicle to feature a LiDAR-based autonomous driving system, and according to the company, the system works in challenging scenarios such as night and low-light conditions, backlighting, and alternating light and dark illumination in tunnels. The P5 should have a range of around 600km (373 miles) on the Chinese NEDC cycle, and full technical details are expected in the coming months, ahead of a late-2021 launch.

Image: Zhijiang Geely Holding Group

Zeekr 001

In a sea of electric SUVs, it’s hard not to get giddy at the sight of something a bit different. Geely’s new Zeekr brand debuts the production version of the Lynk & Co Zero Concept we saw last year. It’s a big, bold shooting-brake-meets-Panamera wagon based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), and we love it. With 400 kW (543 PS) and 700 Nm (516 lb ft), the Zeekr 001 should hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds. It’s set for release later in 2021, and let’s hope it makes it outside China.

Ford Europe to produce electric cars exclusively by 2030

Ford Europe to go all electric by 2030 with new models and new e-mobility factory in cologne

• Ford plans for 100% of its passenger vehicle range in Europe to be zero-emissions capable by mid-2026, moving to all-electric by 2030

• $1 billion will be invested in a new electric vehicle manufacturing centre in Cologne

• The company’s first European-built, volume all-electric passenger vehicle for European customers will roll off the lines in Cologne starting in 2023

• Ford will utilise Volkswagen’s modular electric-drive toolkit (MEB) to underpin the new vehicles

Ford Europe has confirmed a commitment to sustainable profitability overnight, beginning a US$1 billion transformation of its Cologne manufacturing site to modernise its vehicle assembly facility, and create a home for the company’s planned e-mobility business.

Ford states that 100 percent of their passenger vehicle range in Europe will be zero-emissions capable, all-electric or plug-in hybrid by 2026, and that the range will be completely all-electric by 2030.

The Mustang Mach-E, Ford’s all electric sports crossover. Images: Ford Motor Company

Interestingly, Ford will rely heavily on Volkswagens MEB platform architecture, with the German automaker tweeting about the deal, and claiming Ford will be using 600,000 MEB platforms and associated components by 2028:

.@Ford intends to produce its electric models on the basis of the modular electric drive matrix (MEB) developed by Volkswagen! @Ford_de

— Volkswagen Group (@VWGroup) February 17, 2021

Ford returned a profitable fourth quarter of 2020 in Europe, despite losses across the business globally. Ford recently announced US$22 billion would be allocated for e-mobility investment through 2025, across all its R&D and manufacturing facilities.

Ford’s announcement comes immediately after Jaguar Land Rover committed to electrifying their fleets over the next decade, with General Motors, Volkswagen and Volvo making similar commitments last year.

Ford’s E-Transit and Mustang Mach-E

Ford's Mustang Mach-E: An In-Depth Look with the Designers

Cars are so good these days that we often fail to understand the planning, design and engineering that goes into our personal transport. This great video from Ford dives in-depth with the company’s designers, looking at the exterior design, Ford SYNC and connectivity, the interior design and performance and charging.

Also worth watch is Jay Leno’s introduction to the Mach-E and the 7-motor (!) 1400hp Mach-E below.

The Mach-E is expected to go on sale in the US in the first quarter of 2021; sadly Ford has no plans to bring the Mach-E to Australia.

CEO of Ford Motor Company Jim Farley gives Jay an inside look at Ford's latest electric Mustang." Subscribe: http://bit.ly/JLGSubscribe" Visit the Official S...

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Ford Reveals 2022 E-Transit Van

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Images: Ford

The Ford Transit has quite the history; as a best-selling light commercial vehicle in the UK and Europe for the best part of 50 years, and also for its association with the ‘white-van-man’ stereotype. 2022 brings an electrified version, featuring a 67kWh batter, 350km range and a 198kW/430Nm rear-mounted electric motor. That’s a lot of grunt for a van.

The E-Transit’s range may seem limited, but with DC fast-charging, it can add 72 kilometres of range (45 miles) in 15 minutes, recharging at a rate of up to 115kW.

Payload is rated at 1,616kg, despite the large under-floor mounted battery pack. What’s more, tradespeople and others requiring power have access to AC power available from the E-Transit’s batteries.

Ford intends to achieve carbon neutrality worldwide by 2050, and the E-Transit is an early example of the electrification taking place at the automaker. Read the full press release below:

Source: Ford

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Ford reveals the 2022 E-Transit – an all-electric version of the world’s best-selling cargo van – featuring next-level connected vehicle technology with Built Ford Tough capability and electric vehicle-certified dealer support, all for a price starting under $45,000

• New to E-Transit is standard SYNC® 4; when paired with an activated standard embedded modem, these connected solutions unlock software subscriptions that help fleets manage charging transactions, telematics services and more

• Available Pro Power Onboard turns E-Transit into a mobile generator with up to 2.4 kilowatts of available power to help customers use and recharge job site tools ranging from belt sanders to miter saws

• E-Transit is a smart workhorse for North American cities designed with insight from 30 million miles of customer telematics data to deliver the right amount of range based on fleet needs; E-Transit delivers an estimated driving range of 126 miles in the low-roof cargo van variant

• E-Transit is the first all-electric cargo van from a full-line automaker in North America and offers a choice of eight configurations including three roof heights and three lengths, plus chassis cab and cutaway models; with a powerful electric motor targeting 266 horsepower/198 kilowatts of power and 317 lb.-ft. of torque, E-Transit comes ready to work when it arrives in late 2021
  

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 12, 2020 – Ford, the world’s cargo van leader1, introduces the 2022 E-Transit van, a smart workhorse that will offer customers enhanced productivity enabled by its fully electric powertrain, software solutions, services and Pro Power Onboard options.

“Ford is North America and Europe’s commercial truck and van leader, so the transition of fleet vehicles to zero emissions, especially for the fast-growing last-mile delivery segment, is critical to achieve our carbon neutrality goal by 2050,” said Jim Farley, Ford president and CEO. “Ford is ready to lead the charge, starting with the all-electric Transit and all-electric F-150 on the way. This is good for the planet and a huge advantage for customers to help lower their operating costs and provide connected fleet management technologies that will help their businesses.”

The all-new E-Transit is backed by Ford’s powerhouse network of 1,800-plus global commercial vehicle dealers, including 645 commercial vehicle centers across the U.S. – about 90 percent of which are electric vehicle-certified – for easy sales and service.

E-Transit offers the same interior cargo dimensions and standard mounting points for continued integration with hundreds of upfitters and vehicle modifiers worldwide who provide compatible racks, bins and accessories on gas-powered Transit. The majority of U.S. Transit vehicles sold last year were upfitted, and Ford continues to provide the same upfit financing support for van customers, including those who purchase or lease. With 13 upfitters located conveniently within 30 miles of the assembly plant, customers get fast delivery to the upfitter of their choice right when they order their van, removing the need for an upfit after delivery and helping them get on the road quickly.

While most newcomers in the van business are still building prototypes, developing testing protocols and addressing difficult usage conditions, Ford’s commercial vehicle ecosystem is expanding to include electric vehicle monitoring software and connected solutions for fleets to seamlessly integrate into day-to-day operations. 

“We are doubling down on software and digital services to help our fleet customers grow and more efficiently run their businesses,” said Farley.

Ford – which is the leading commercial vehicle brand in North America and Europe – has been making Transit family vehicles for 55 years and commercial vehicles since 1905. The company will assemble E-Transit for North American customers at Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri.

Driving to go greener

Cities around the world – from London to Los Angeles – are pledging to create emissions-free zones to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas levels and improve noise pollution. California has also mandated that all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state be zero-emission vehicles by 2035.

“More construction, emergency vehicles and utility services choose Ford commercial trucks and vans over any other manufacturer2 – and we’re committed to helping customers make the transition to zero-emission technology,” said Hau Thai-Tang, Ford chief product platform operations officer. “E-Transit is a data-rich, connected platform that will help our fleet customers unlock greater productivity. The value for our commercial customers grows over time as more connected vehicles join the network.”

E-Transit is part of a Ford investment in electrification of more than $11.5 billion through 2022. The all-new, all-electric Mustang Mach-E begins arriving later this year, while the all-electric F-150 starts hitting dealers in mid-2022. In North America, Ford is the first full-line automaker to announce plans to produce both an all-electric full-size pickup truck and a full-size van for customers – including fleet owners.

Ford intends to achieve carbon neutrality globally by 2050. It is the only full-line U.S. automaker committed to doing its part to reduce CO2 emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and working with California for stronger vehicle greenhouse gas standards.

E-Transit will not only help companies operate with the benefits of electrification, it offers clear business advantages. Scheduled maintenance costs for the all-electric Transit are estimated to be 40 percent less than the average scheduled maintenance costs for a gas-powered 2020 Transit over eight years/100,000 miles3. And with lower maintenance requirements and the opportunity to avoid fill-ups, companies can improve customer uptime and productivity.

Range, charging solutions tailored for business

E-Transit is a smart workhorse for U.S. cities designed with insight from 30 million miles of customer telematics data to deliver the right amount of range based on fleet needs – at a price that makes it easy to switch to electric. With a usable battery capacity of 67 kilowatt-hours, E-Transit will deliver an estimated range of 126 miles in the low-roof cargo van variant. The E-Transit has a starting MSRP4 under $45,000 for U.S. fleet customers – and comes backed with an eight-year, 100,000-mile electric vehicle component warranty5.

“This makes E-Transit ideal for commercial customers who know their drive routes and often work in urban environments,” said Ted Cannis, Ford North America general manager of commercial business. “Affordability is key, and our customers buy only what they need to get the job done. E-Transit provides ample range at a price that makes the transition to electric easy. And Ford is just getting started.”

Ford will offer a variety of charging solutions to fit fleet and driver needs, whether at home, at a place of business or on the road. E-Transit comes with access to North America’s largest public charging network – providing drivers with seamless public payment capability and providing fleet managers with central account and billing management.

E-Transit features both AC and DC fast charging, coming standard with a Ford Mobile Charger that can plug into a normal 120-volt outlet for slow and steady charging or into a 240-volt outlet for faster charging. Those seeking the fastest home charging solution can purchase the Ford Connected Charge Station, which can fully charge E-Transit in eight hours.

On a 115-plus-kilowatt DC fast charger, E-Transit cargo van low-roof models can achieve approximately 30 miles of range in 10 minutes and approximately 45 miles of range in 15 minutes6. When plugged into a 240-volt outlet, E-Transit cargo van low-roof models achieve approximately 10 miles per charging hour using the Ford Mobile Charger. Employing a Ford Connected Charge Station brings the number up to approximately 15 miles per charging hour.

More power, connectivity on the go

E-Transit features optional Pro Power Onboard, which provides up to 2.4 kilowatts of power for North American customers to transform the vehicle into a mobile generator that powers tools and equipment on job sites and on the go. That’s enough capability to power everything from belt sanders to circular saws.

When activated7, the standard 4G LTE modem unlocks available data subscriptions and delivers seamless connectivity to help commercial vehicle customers manage and optimize fleet efficiency. A range of dedicated electric vehicle services are available through Ford Commercial Solutions, including electric vehicle data enhancements from Ford Telematics and Ford Data Services8.

Remote services like vehicle pre-conditioning – which optimizes cabin temperatures while E-Transit is plugged in to optimize battery efficiency – are also available, as well as charging reports that enable fleet managers to reimburse drivers who bring their vans home in the evening.

E-Transit also brings SYNC® 4 communications and entertainment technology9 to commercial vehicles, featuring a standard 12-inch touch screen that’s easy to use, plus enhanced voice recognition and cloud-enhanced navigation. With SYNC over-the-air updates, E-Transit software and SYNC features will stay at the forefront of performance.

On the road with navigation enabled, fleet operators can benefit from new Ford Co-Pilot360™ technology such as available Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Speed Sign Recognition and Intelligent Speed Assist, which together identify speed limits and automatically change the vehicle speed accordingly.

E-Transit also features additional standard Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies designed to help fleet customers reduce driver-based insurance claims, including Lane-Keeping System and Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking. Available features include Blind Spot Information System with Blind Spot Assist, a 360-degree camera and Reverse Brake Assist. These features can help maintain fleet driving standards and help improve driver confidence.

Delivered with the capability Transit customers love

Designed for uncompromised cargo capacity, the E-Transit battery is located underneath the vehicle body, providing up to 487.3 cubic feet of cargo space inside the high-roof, extended-wheelbase variant.

Ford engineers redesigned E-Transit’s rear-wheel drive and rear suspension to optimize cargo space, creating a heavy-duty semi-trailing arm suspension system enabling better steering precision and more confident handling, plus better traction both in laden and unladen conditions.

For E-Transit cargo vans in the U.S., Ford is targeting a maximum payload of 3,800 pounds, and up to 4,290 pounds for cutaway versions – with a powerful electric motor delivering a targeted 266 horsepower/198 kilowatts of power and 317 lb.-ft. of torque across all configurations. Fleet owners will have the capability they need to get the job done.

In the U.S., E-Transit is available with a choice of three roof heights and three body lengths, as well as in cargo, cutaway and chassis cab versions.