Ford’s first fully-electric foray into Australia is a van. Does it put the brand’s best foot forward?
2023 Ford E-Transit Van
The 2023 Ford E-Transit is the first fully-electric vehicle from Ford to launch in Australia. While it’s not the first electrified product outright – that accolade goes to the Ford Escape ST-Line plug-in hybrid – this battery electric vehicle represents where the carmaker intends to be in the future.
It is true Ford is working to an electric future, with the 2023 Ford E-Transit launch coming hot on the heels of the brand’s announcement to bring in the Ford Mustang Mach-E.
It also includes a battery electric Ford Puma light SUV within its plan to introduce five new hybrid or electric vehicles by the end of 2024.
But, as for electrics in the here and now, Ford is playing to its strengths by introducing an electric version of a van – a segment it knows very well.
How much does the Ford E-Transit cost in Australia?
On paper, the electric Ford Transit is much like the one powered by internal combustion engine. But this version comes with the added benefit of zero tailpipe emissions, reduced noise, and more affordable maintenance and servicing costs.
It comes in two variations – a mid-roof van and a high-roof – which both draw power from a 68kWh battery to power a single 198kW/430Nm motor. Interestingly, these outputs are the highest of the Transit range in Australia. This motor output provides power to the rear wheels.
Pricing begins at $104,900 before on-road costs and options. While the Ford E-Transit is Ford’s first electric product outright, it’s not the first electric van in the market. The 2023 LDV eDeliver 9 is another electric van, sourced from China – its high-roof van costs $118,836 before on-road costs. This is more than double the cost of its equivalent diesel-powered version.
Where the eDeliver 9 travels 280km (WLTP) on a full charge in a mid-roof model and 275km (WLTP) on the high-roof variant, the Ford E-Transit quotes 230–307km (WLTP) for the mid-roof and 222–295km (WLTP) for the high-roof model.
For that $104,900 spend, Ford E-Transit customers receive a 12.0-inch touchscreen with Sync 4 software. It’s a similar set-up to what you’ll find in a new Ford Ranger in terms of functionality, though it’s presented in landscape fashion rather than the portrait of the Ranger. More on this system later in the review.
Talking EV specs, the E-Transit can charge from zero to 100 per cent in just over eight hours and 10 minutes on three-phase charging (at 11kW), while a DC fast charge takes 34 minutes to get from 15 per cent to 80 per cent (at 115kW max). Ford supplies a Mode 3 cable with the E-Transit, but not a three-pin home outlet charger for emergencies.
There’s little to tell an electric-powered Transit over a regular internal combustion-engined one, just a few blue-painted slats in the grille and a big E-Transit badge emblazoned over the rear barn doors. You can charge up the E-Transit through a port immediately below the Blue Oval within the grille.
Key details2023 Ford E-TransitPrice$104,900 plus on-road costsColour of test carFrozen WhiteOptionsHigh Roof – $1500Price as tested$106,400 plus on-road costsRivalsLDV eDeliver 9 | Renault Master | Toyota HiAce
How much space does the Ford E-Transit have inside?
Inside the cabin, the Ford E-Transit presents a functional and workable interior space that does without fuss or niceties. As with most vans it’s filled with hard plastics designed to last a lifetime, and while they’re not the last word in premium feel, they do feel well put together and hard-wearing.
There are three front-row seats inside the cab that are all covered in a cloth fabric. They’re comfy enough to sit in for the short test route we undertook, but don’t have much in the way of bolstering to keep you seated still through corners, making them easier to twist in and out of on delivery runs with plenty of stops.
Ergonomically, everything falls to hand (including the copious amounts of storage cubbies) and you’re seated in that typical van driving position that offers a commanding view over the road ahead. There’s minimal room behind the seat to slide the seat back because it’s hard up against the bulkhead, though I managed to find a nice driving position for my 194cm frame.
The seat is controlled electrically for the driver, you have seat heating, and you can lumbar-adjust too. Not the most typical set of features in the segment.
There is a minimised digital instrument display to provide power flow information, speed readouts, and efficiency information to the driver.
Storage-wise, there are so many places to store bits and pieces like documentation, clipboards, devices, and whatever else a van driver might need to conduct deliveries. Above your head there’s a large slot for big folders, there are slots in the dash for more odds and ends, and huge door cards for drinks as big as 1.25L.
Speaking of which, there are myriad cupholders at arm’s reach and also both USB-C and USB-A power ports (as well as two 12-volt outlets).
At the back, the van doors can open the whole way around for a forklift to load items inside, while there’s a handy light above the rear doors to keep the area illuminated at night too.
A full pallet will fit between the wheel wells. According to Ford there is 11 cubic metres of storage space in the mid-roof van and 12.4 cubic metres in the high-roof van. Maximum payload stands at 1611kg and 1566kg, respectively.
2023 Ford E-TransitSeatsThreeBoot volume11 cubic metres mid-roof
12.4 cubic metres high-roofLength5981mmWidth2474mmHeight2719–2790mmWheelbase3750mm
Does the Ford E-Transit have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
It feels weird having the Sync 4 system in landscape orientation coming from the Ford Ranger’s portrait, though the E-Transit’s application works very well in its own right.
There’s built-in navigation and connectivity with the FordPass Connect app to keep connected even when you’re away from the van. But if you prefer the familiarity of smartphone mirroring software, the system also caters to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A high-quality reverse camera provides a feed of what’s behind the rear doors, but it’s in the bird’s-eye view rather than immediately placed on the rear barn doors.
Is the Ford E-Transit a safe car?
There is no ANCAP or Euro NCAP safety rating for the Ford E-Transit (nor the regular diesel Transit range). In Europe the van has earned a Gold Award for its included active safety measures, discussed in the next section.
2023 Ford E-TransitANCAP ratingUntested
What safety technology does the Ford E-Transit have?
Like the rest of the Ford Transit range, the E-Transit scores an array of active safety inclusions such as autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, blind-spot assist, hill-start assist, lane-keep assist (used in conjunction with adaptive cruise control) and lane-departure warning, traffic sign recognition, rear parking sensors, and an auto hold system.
We were able to test the van’s adaptive cruise control on a freeway, where it kept a safe distance to the vehicle in front and steered itself within lane markings, like any car would.
How much does the Ford E-Transit cost to maintain?
As with all Fords, the E-Transit is covered off by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. For the battery and electrical components, Ford warrants the continued use for up to eight years or 160,000km (whichever is first).
Every time you visit a Ford for a scheduled service, you’ll automatically receive an additional 12 months of roadside assistance until the car reaches seven years old. This is only included for retail and small business customers.
Servicing occurs at 12-month or 30,000km intervals. It’ll cost less to service than the regular Transit – $399 for each of the first four visits for ICE Transits and $185 each for the E-Transit.
At a glance2023 Ford E-TransitWarrantyFive years, unlimited km
Eight years, 160,000km (high-voltage battery)Service intervals12 months or 30,000kmServicing costs$740 (4 years)
Is the Ford E-Transit energy-efficient?
Ford claims the E-Transit will use 26.9–36.9kWh per 100km for the mid-roof body, or 28.3–38.7kWh per 100km for high-roof bodies.
At launch we drove the high-roof on a short jaunt around suburban streets and recorded an impressive 23kWh/100km rating. This was achieved when the vehicle was unladen.
With Ford’s quoted maximum driving range of 307km for the mid-roof example, it says this is 2.5 times the average distance a commercial van travels in a single day.
Energy Consumption – brought to you by bp
What is the Ford E-Transit like to drive?
Press the start button to kick the powertrain into life and it’s not long before you realise this is one of the most serene van experiences you’ll ever encounter.
Gone is the loud clatter of a diesel engine, the lurchy sensations of a conventional gearbox, and the lag as the big body gets up to speed – the E-Transit does away with all three while simultaneously outputting no CO2.
There are three driving modes to choose from – Eco, Normal and Slippery. In Normal the van’s 198kW/430Nm outputs feel sprightly and immediate, whereas Eco really dulls off the instantaneous acceleration in search of ultimate efficiency.
We weren’t able to drive an E-Transit loaded with gear at launch, but there is good overtaking power out of the motor for swift overtakes and the power delivery is immediate – very unique in a van that is typically a slow-mover off the mark.
The lack of gearshift is also welcome – the van pulls linearly right up to speed. According to Ford, the E-Transit is limited to a top speed of 130km/h.
While our van was unladen, the addition of a 500kg battery compared to a comparable diesel Transit softened off road impacts and potholes to impressive effect. Certainly, it reduces the often-experienced sensation of a jittery ride you’d otherwise expect from vans.
The battery is situated low underneath the load compartment, meaning body roll is no worse than a regular Ford Transit van. Likewise, it doesn’t feel noticeably heavier either.
On the freeway there’s minimal noise from the powertrain, obviously, but the sound deadening from the load compartment also makes sure minimal noise makes its way through from the back.
Key details2023 Ford E-TransitPowertrainSingle electric motorPower198kWTorque430NmDrive typeRear-wheel driveTransmissionSingle-speedPower-to-weight ratio73.8kW/tWeight2684kgSpare tyre typeFull-size Turning circle14.3m
Should I buy a Ford E-Transit?
It mightn’t be a sexy way for Ford to kick off its electric vehicle strategy, but the 2023 Ford E-Transit is a fine electric adaptation of one of the market’s favourite load luggers.
It continues to champion the model’s renowned workhorse character and high levels of cabin comfort, albeit with a new electric powertrain.
Let’s be honest, it’s not going to be the one-size-fits-all solution for every single business. The E-Transit needs the right application in order to exercise maximum benefits.
Both the Ford E-Transit and LDV eDeliver 9 are eye-watering six-figure options in the new electric van market. We’ve driven the LDV before and found, like the Ford, that it fits a very specific buyer. Comparing the two on paper yields the Ford as the more sensible option, but compare each against their respective ICE alternatives and the value equation simply doesn’t stack up.
However, for the business committed to lowering its ongoing whole-of-fleet fuel costs – or sustainability impact – the 2023 Ford E-Transit is a tangible way to get there.
The post 2023 Ford E-Transit electric van review: Australian first drive appeared first on Drive.
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