Ford’s global strategy is to introduce 13 electrified vehicles within the next 5 years as part of a £3.7 billion investment in electrification. The first vehicle from this ambitious project will be the Ford Transit plug-in hybrid (PHEV) for sale in 2019 in Europe. The company’s innovative solutions will help tackle the challenges of inner city air quality and congestion.
The plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) Transit Custom vans is currently participating in customer trials in London, which is exploring how the hybrid vans can contribute to cleaner air targets and enhanced productivity in urban use.
The PHEV Transit has an advanced hybrid system that targets a zero-emission range exceeding 50 kilometres (31 miles), and features the multi-award winning Ford EcoBoost 1.0-litre petrol engine as a range extender. The test vehicle features an advanced telematics system that is delivering real-time data on the van’s performance.
The PHEV will also feature geofencing technology, which is capable of automatically modifying vehicle settings based on each van’s current location. This could be used to ensure the hybrid system is switched to electric-only mode when a vehicle enters a low-emission zone within an inner-city area.
Ford is the first volume manufacturer to offer PHEV technology in this segment of the van market. The technology enables the vehicle to be charged with mains electricity for zero-emission journeys, while the compact and fuel-efficient EcoBoost engine generates additional charge for the batteries when required. The Transit Custom PHEV uses a series-hybrid driveline configuration, with the vehicle’s wheels driven exclusively by an electric motor, rather than by the combustion engine.
The battery pack is a compact liquid-cooled lithium-ion design located under the load floor, preserving the full cargo volume offered by the standard Transit Custom van.
The Transit Custom PHEV uses petrol fuel to extend the total range to more than 500 kilometres (310 miles). The PHEV also has an increased payload capacity compared with battery-only electric vehicles, and the ability to offer quick and easy recharging from a standard electricity supply.
Drivers on Demand look forward to training its drivers for this innovative and exciting development.