Ford's electric Transit Connect has the power to move you -- and all your stuff
By Tim Stevens 
posted Feb 10th 2009 8:49AM
posted Feb 10th 2009 8:49AM
Update: Commenter ericlmccormic clued us in to the earlier Ford Ranger EV that was offered up until 2002 -- before being summarily recalled and destroyed. Big Oil conspiracy theorists take note!
Update 2: A few commenters mentioned that not all the Ranger EVs were decommissioned; some lived out their days well past 2002, happily delivering smiles to children and in no way taking part in any fuel-based schemes.
This might have the power to move me, but it's no WonderBoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSfkuOBpJxU
needs a couple of things. Like 4 more windows.
Oh, could also use something like, a vain racing stripe..
This thing says "Local Visiting Nurses Medical Supply Company Fleet Vehicle' like, Hardcore.
Also, probably be the next GeekSquad vehicle.
So they can build these but won't get electric or hybrid technology into a minivan?
*cragbit looks at minivan in the picture*
*cragbit rubs eyes*
*cragbit looks at minivan in the picture*
Seriously, you cant be that stupid. Can you?
So they can build THESE but they can't paint them white and have an article featuring them appear on Engadget?
This is a transit van, not a minivan. This doesn't have seats in the back for your kids / dog.
http://www.autocentre.ua/truck/07/06/images/06/Ford_Connect_IMG_0099.jpg
dsh, you fail.
You posted a picture of the Ford Connect, which is not the same as the Ford Transit Connect.
http://www.gizmag.com/pictures/10948_100209100434.jpg
Note the image, from TFA, which does not contain rear seats. Transit vans are, pretty much by definition, commercial vehicles designed for hauling around stuff in the back (stuff not meaning your 7 kids).
C'est la vie.
cragbit,
Based on that picture, there is no way in hell that could be called a mini-van, it only has 2 rows of seats. It would best fit the category of Compact SUV or Crossover Utility Vehicle.
DSH for the win!
this car will definitely be popular.
sounds like a government mandate vehicle so this or that department can go green. money no object, tax payers got it sorted.
Reminds me of the Dodge Sprinter, which is obviously intentional considering Sprinter has sold gangbusters. Overall i like it. nice job Ford. this is a step in the right direction. now please work on something like this for cars and SUVs.
I agree, Dodge Sprinter like... No more windows... flowers and shag carpet! This is an ugly sex machine!
We're actively working on similar technology for cars & SUVs, as you've requested. We'll have four battery electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) on the road by 2012. You can read more about Ford's electrification program at: http://ford.digitalsnippets.com/2009/01/11/ford-electrified-vehicle-overview/
Scott Monty
Global Digital Communications
Ford Motor Company
I think it's great that Mr. Monty is posting on engadget (and presumably other boards). It means to me that _someone_ at Ford is listening and responding. Whoever his boss is should be taking note, too, since this is the kind of direct customer relationship that costs nothing, but pays dividends in the long run.
As ugly as the Transit is in my own eyes, my first thought upon seeing this article was, "That's my next car." It's so awesomely utilitarian and inherently maintenance-free that it would take a LOT to get me to buy a sexy sports car as a daily driver instead.
What's truly amazing is that plugging in at home is somehow seen as a nuisance. For a commuter car, this is a huge advantage: I've got better things to do than to wait until empty and then stop by some damned gas station and dick with their pumps. People recharge at night, so there's no reason suburban commuter cars can't, as well.
Thanks, Darwin. My management is certainly aware I'm here. It's one of the very reasons I was hired. As we begin to expand Ford's footprint in social media, actively engaging in discussions like this is part of the formula. Another large part is on Twitter, where you'll find me engaging daily with fans and detractors alike at http://twitter.com/scottmonty
Scott
Scott - I add my support to Darwin's for the new electric vehicles (maybe not THIS one, but hey). The only downside I see right now is that they have limited range (sub 200 miles for most) and take a long time to recharge. While this may not be an issue for people using these vehicles as daily commuters, people that drive more often will need something that can go the distance and charge quickly.
That being said, I'm looking forward to the future generations of these vehicles (lets face it, internal combustion is long overdue to be replaced).
American? 'Fraid not:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Transit_Connect
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Transit
Good-looking vehicle!
good step in the right direction. as someone with 5 kids, i need a van to haul children. now, if they could just do it with a 10 min charge and 200 mile range like the supposed cityZENN...
Check out the case Studies page on the Smith website at http://www.smithelectricvehicles.com to see all the other EVs that Smith produce, some of which are coming to America soon, starting with the Smith Newton which is kinda big and arrives this summer. Ford are partnering with Smith for the 2010 electric van, but Smith themselves are bringing a bunch of their own EVs to the Work Trucks show in Chicago in early March.
I need one of these for my production vehicle....... Its the absolute perfect in almost every way...... Probably except for the price.....
"This one, however, runs entirely on battery power (a first for Ford) despite being able to haul 1,760 pounds of cargo to a maximum range of 100 miles -- on the high side for your average EV but perhaps not enough for a day's worth of deliveries. "
as anyone in the UK will tell you, [since the 1960's], all electric vehicles have been used to haul heavy cargo loads on extensive delivery routes. day in day out.
they were called milk floats.
which uncoincidentally, is a derogatory term/nickname for the prius in the uk
The Transit Connect is Ford's first electric commercial vehicle that's available for purchase. The Ranger EV was part of a lease program and not available for sale. This was part of an experimental effort to gain knoweldge about electric transportation, and about 85% of EV rangers were leased to municipalities and fleets. They ran on a much heavier nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery and only had a range of about 30-70 miles on a full charge. We've learned a lot since then.
More importantly, Ford did NOT destroy the remaining vehicles at the end of the program. A number of them were sold for spare parts, others have been refurbished, and more recently, some have been rescued and sent to Norway.
Ford is quite serious about our electrification programs and our overall commitment to the environment. Please take them time to more fully explore http://ford.digitalsnippets.com/environment for more information, or catch me on Twitter.
Scott Monty
Global Digital Communications
Ford Motor Company
The Transit Connect is Ford's first electric commercial vehicle that's available for purchase. The Ranger EV was part of a lease program and not available for sale. This was part of an experimental effort to gain knoweldge about electric transportation, and about 85% of EV rangers were leased to municipalities and fleets. They ran on a much heavier nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery and only had a range of about 30-70 miles on a full charge. We've learned a lot since then.
More importantly, Ford did NOT destroy the remaining vehicles at the end of the program. A number of them were sold for spare parts, others have been refurbished, and more recently, some have been rescued and sent to Norway.
Ford is quite serious about our electrification programs and our overall commitment to the environment. Please take them time to more fully explore http://ford.digitalsnippets.com/environment for more information, or catch me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/scottmonty.
Scott Monty
Global Digital Communications
Ford Motor Company
100 miles is not enough range for a delivery van. During the hot seasons, our flower van logs in around 150-170 miles a day in deliveries and commutes. Off season, we travel approx. 70-80 miles per day.
Get it right Ford. Know your demographic better.
Well, I like it.
I like a vehicle I can put "stuff" in. Great for going to garage sales and flea markets... I'm sick of being wedged into shoebox vehicles just to get better mileage. I would really love an electric vehicle.
Shame on you GM for crushing all those EV-1's... corporate dimwits.
The design could use a little help though. Needs some more windows and bit more of an aerodynamic design. But this is a good start, Ford.
This thing looks a lot like my Renault Kangoo, or the Volkswagen Caddy (Peugeot and Citroen also make similar cars, also known as "panel vans"). The Kangoo and Caddy are very utilitarian and are available just about everywhere else on the planet EXCEPT the USA. I think the concept will go over very well in the States and can't wait to see it arrive; hopefully in time for when I move back in 2010 (unless the Aptera is being sold nation-wide by that point).
Judging by the way White-van drivers drive (in the UK at least) - they're going to have to make these things quite noisy if pedestrians are to stand a chance anymore!
Affordable subcompact EVs please
Dear Ford, why are you going for such a small market? I'm tired of watching our great American car industry waste opportunities. I want an electric car. I want it now. If I have to buy a TH!NK, so be it. If you folks can't manage to put this "thing" into production with two different models one for business and one for families then you are pretty hopeless. Other car companies are playing around making zippy super electric cars. FORD made its name for making cars for the masses. Well, I'm done waiting for American manufacturers to make what I want. Nope, not: a Hummer, an SUV, a two seater.... how about your Ford Escort... European style from 3 decades ago, but electric. No, I don't need to connect to the internet as I drive. I want ELECTRIC. My roof is over producing something called... .ENERGY... made by AMERICANS. I guess the oil companies are still pulling all the strings.