White van man’s new green motor: Ford E-Transit Courier unveiled

Ford has confirmed that its smallest van will go electric next year with the arrival of the new E-Transit Courier – but don’t expect it to come cheap.

The brand’s smallest commercial vehicle – which is hugely popular with delivery services and small business owners – will join the E-Transit and E-Transit Custom in 2024 as Ford continues to electrify its van range.

No details have been revealed about the price, battery size or range of a single charge – and despite our best efforts to squeeze the information out of the UK division, no official figures will be confirmed until closer to the van’s launch.

However, the blue oval brand has said it will have a single electric motor that will produce 134 horsepower, have a limited top speed of 150 km/h and can be charged to speeds of 100 kW. minutes.

The next-generation Transit Courier will not be sold exclusively as an EV – it will also come with the choice of petrol and diesel engines.

Prices are likely to start slightly higher than the model it replaces, which currently costs £18,050 excluding VAT.

Currently, the only electric Ford commercial vehicle on sale is the full-size E-Transit – and with a starting price of £48,045, it carries a £10,000 premium over the entry-level internal combustion engine version.

That means the E-Transit Courier at a similar premium could probably cost between £25,000 and £30,000.

The battery-powered van will not enter production until the second half of 2024, although petrol and diesel models can be ordered this summer and delivered before the end of the year.

With the battery fast charging to 100 kW DC, drivers can add 54 miles in just 10 minutes of charging.

The battery pack itself is mounted in the chassis floor so as not to take up valuable cargo space.

“E-Transit Courier takes its segment to the next level with uncompromising EV performance, increased payload and fully connected support, including end-to-end charging solutions,” said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro Europe.

“Ford Pro’s longstanding market leadership gives us unparalleled insight into customer needs and means we can help them get high productivity from their compact vans with more connectivity and capability than ever before.”

For those not yet happy with the switch to an electric van, powertrain options also include a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 123PS.

For those looking for better MPG, a 1.5-litre diesel engine will also be available with 99 horsepower.

In terms of cargo space, the new Transit Courier will be more practical than the model it replaces.

The load floor is 182 mm longer and there is a further 200 mm between the wheel arches. The roof height is also slightly higher (9 mm increase).

New is a square hatch behind the passenger seat. When not in use, the backrest can be folded forward and the opening can be used to carry longer items such as ladders.

If you opt for the E-Transit Courier instead of a petrol or diesel version, you also get 44 liters of extra space in the front compartment, which has been left empty by omitting a combustion engine.

That should provide plenty of room for tools and smaller items.

The payload of the E-Transit Courier is said to be 700kg, while the petrol and diesel versions have 678kg – although there will be an option to increase this to 845kg.

What will likely increase the price of the van over the outgoing vehicle is the range of new technology.

Models come with a pair of 12-inch screens – one is the digital instrument cluster for the driver and the other an infotainment screen.

The latter will be equipped with Ford’s latest internal system SYNC4, which is compatible with wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play.

The Transit Courier also debuts a ‘class-unique’ Office Pack.

This adds a folding flat work table and extra interior lighting so owners can use their laptops, file paperwork and take breaks in the back of their van.

The Courier will also be equipped with the latest safety and assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, blind spot alert, reverse brake assist and pedestrian alerts.

Distinguishing the E-Transit Courier from petrol or diesel versions will be relatively easy – the electric variant gets unique headlights and a flat honeycomb grille.

The latter will be very different from the ‘active grille shutters’ on the internal combustion engine versions – these will open and close as the engine needs more cooling or to improve aerodynamic performance at higher speeds on motorways.