Ford to launch electric van in the US next year

February 10, 2009 by Lisa Zyga Ford Transit Connect

Ford Transit Connect. Credit: Ford.

(PhysOrg.com) -- Ford's first all-electric vehicle in the US will be a commercial van that gets a range of 100 miles per charge with a top speed of 70 mph. The van, called the Ford Transit Connect, should be available in the US in 2010, although the price has not yet been announced.

The electric van will precede Ford's small electric passenger sedan, which will hit US dealerships in 2011, followed by a plug-in hybrid in 2012.

The Transit Connect is based on a gasoline-powered model that has proven successful in Europe and that Ford is also preparing to release in the US shortly. The van will be converted to battery power by Smith Electric Vehicles, which already offers a similar battery-powered Ford Transit model to customers in some European markets.

Ford is aiming the vehicle at commercial industries as an alternative to a full-size cargo van for package delivery. The van, which can carry about 1800 pounds, would be ideal for fleets that cover regular routes and return to a central location for recharging overnight.

The electric van will be built in Turkey and imported to the US.

via: Wired and Reuters

Rate this story - 4.7 /5 (6 votes)

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Icester - Feb 10, 2009
- Rank: 4.7 / 5 (3)
Its called the Ford Fugly.... for obvious reasons.

Other than its looks, kudos to Ford for innovation and trying to give the customer what they want.
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Mauricio - Feb 10, 2009
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What an ugly vehicle! then if it does not sell, they might claim that is because people do not like electric vehicles!!! no, it is because is ugly. Karl Lagerfeld was right when he said that American designers forgot passion.

Though the new Camaro and Challenger are hot pieces.
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John_balls - Feb 10, 2009
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It looks fine to me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. (:
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Ashibayai - Feb 11, 2009
- Rank: 4 / 5 (2)
It looks like a commercial vehicle. What more do you want?
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Roach - Feb 11, 2009
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Way to go ford, no one is buying your cars because they have no money so you move production overseas to lower cost? Sending all the money to Turkey? Don't get me wrong I'm all for improving Turkeys Economic structure, but if you're sending the jobs there then maybe they can buy your ugly cars.
Further reason why the US economy is crumbling. I think I'll buy a good American made car next time I buy, like a Nissan, Toyota, VW or BMW.
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VOR - Feb 11, 2009
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Anyone who doesnt think its ugly has no design sense, and likes the smell of their own farts.
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LucFerris - Feb 16, 2009
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Anybody catch the last line of this article?
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javes - Mar 28, 2009
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electric cars are...a waste of life and energy... and metal. It is hilarious how people seriously believe they are being green by owning one. Do you know that just the production emissions of a Prius leave afootprint larger than the production and the running of a Hummer H2 over its entire lifetime? come on people, see the LIGHT! electric is not the answer.
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