Last year, Ford celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Transit cargo van being sold in North America. While the E-Series held the torch for Ford vans for many years, the company decided to bring their European themed model over the Atlantic. Over those 10 years the Transit has become the benchmark for cargo vans. Much like its pick-up truck sibling, the F-Series, it has found a place in many work truck fleets.
“We’ve assembled more than 1.2 million Transit vans in the last 10 years, and most of them are.
still on the road, working hard for customers today,” says Tim Baughman, general manager, Ford Pro. “It is North America’s bestselling commercial van because it is Built Ford Tough, and businesses on every street corner rely on Transit to keep things moving—from plumbing to carpentry and yes, delivery, too.”
While the gas version of the vehicle is still the main seller, Ford introduced the E-Transit, a fully electric version, and this year has added enhancements. With many fleets looking to reduce their carbon footprint, the E-Transit, along with models from other OEMs, are finding a prominent place in the marketplace.
The E-Transit is built at Ford’s Kansas City Assembly Plant in Missouri alongside the gas-powered Transit.
ELECTRIC POWER
The biggest difference for the E-Transit is obviously its electric powertrain. It offers 198 kW or the equivalent of 266 horsepower, and a peak torque of 317 pounds/feet. Electric vehicles have a single-speed transmission, so there is no ‘traditional’ transmission. The extended range Lithium-Ion battery offers 89.0-kWh of energy, with the battery being along the floor of the vehicle and the e-motor located in the rear. It is a rear-wheel drive configuration.
How much does the E-Transit go on a full charge? That depends. The long length with a low roof can reach 159 miles, medium can reach 148 miles, high roof can reach 143 miles, and an extended length high roof can do 142 miles.
For work truck fleets, charge time is just as important as range. The more the vehicle is down for charging the less work it can do. With an onboard charger that has an input of 19.2 kW, with a peak DCFC power of 176 kWh, it can charge from 10 to 80 percent in 28 minutes (using a 180+ kW DCFC charger), and in 82 minutes to do the same on a 50 kW DCFC charger. When only a L2 charger is available, charge times can vary between six hours and 11 minutes (80A), to 14 hours and 20 minutes (32A), to get from zero to 100 percent.
Ford also provides available mobile power cord that includes a fast charger adapter and can be provided with a Ford Connected Charge station.
SPECIFICATIONS
The E-Transit is available in cargo van, chassis cab, and cutaway, with low roof, medium roof, and high room, in long and extended heights, seating for two, and with an extended range battery. Steering is electrically power assisted. The front suspension is an independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar, with the rear being an independent suspension with coil springs, semi-trailing arm STA and a stabilizer bar. Both front and rear shocks are gas pressurized. Brakes are front vented discs with rear solid discs. Wheels are 16-inch steel with wheel covers on all trims.
Payload number for E-Transit depend on length and roof height: largest payloads on the long length low roof at 3,249 lbs, with long medium at 3,100 lbs, long high at 3,004 lbs, and extended high at 2,799 lbs. Cargo volume behind the front seats is 277.7 cubic/feet on long length low roof, 357.1 cu/ft on long medium, 404.3 cu/ft on long high, and 487.3 cu/ft on extended high. Max front axle load is 4,130 lbs on all sizes, and max rear axle load is 6,000 lbs on all sizes.
TRADE PACKAGES
For 2025, the Transit and E-Transit get new factory-installed trade packages. These packages will use components by Ranger Design, and can be financed together with the vehicle purchase, while being covered by a three-year/36,000-mile warranty.
Packages available include Electrician trade package, which includes drawers and bins to store parts and reels to hang bundles of wiring; HVAC trade package, featuring large shelves and storage bins, but also specialized refrigerant storage racks and restraints; General Contractor package, mix of multipurpose shelves, bins, drawers, and hooks; and Foldable Shelving Package, with deep, large-capacity folding shelves intended for delivery services.
Also new for 2025 is a wall liner kit that is available on regular or long models and includes lighting and wheel covers. A large grab handle kit is also available.
WHY GO ELECTIC?
According to Ford, you save 48 percent in scheduled maintenance costs (compared to gas or diesel). Various levels of government offer incentives for buying EVs. Ford offers a commercial charging cash incentive of $2,000 towards charging infrastructure and a Ford Pro charging solution (for eligible customers who purchase an E-Transit). Access to Ford Pro’s software and charging solutions helps with productivity.
For most fleets, the question of EV vs gas or diesel is one of cost. While many EVs may have a high upfront cost, the total cost of ownership is something that needs to be looked at. With lower maintenance costs (as EVs have fewer moving parts), and prices on the technology in general going down, now may be a suitable time to look at an E-Transit as your next work van.
about the author
Mario Cywinski is the editor of Modern Work Truck Solutions and has worked in the automotive industry for over 20 years, both as an automotive journalist and working for a local dealership. He is a member of the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada. He can be reached at mario@mwsmag.com.
