FORD TRANSIT CONNECT ELECTRIC COMMERCIAL VAN HELPS FLEET CUSTOMERS GO COMPLETELY GAS-FREE<\/strong><\/p>\n\u2022\tFord Transit Connect Electric, a pure electric-powered version of the award-winning Transit Connect small van, goes into production in late 2010<\/p>\n
\u2022\tFord is collaborating with Azure Dynamics Corporation to upfit the Transit Connect Electric with Azure\u2019s Force Drive\u2122 battery electric powertrain and Johnson Controls-Saft\u2019s advanced lithium-ion battery technology<\/p>\n
\u2022\tTransit Connect Electric is the first product in Ford\u2019s accelerated electrified vehicle plan, and will be followed by the Focus Electric in 2011, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in 2012 and next-generation hybrid technology in 2012<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThe all-electric, zero-emission Transit Connect Electric has targeted range of up to 80 miles per full charge, and will be rechargeable using either 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlets<\/p>\n
\u2022\tTransit Connect Electric is ideal for fleet owners that have well-defined routes of predictable distances and a central location for daily recharging<\/p>\n
CHICAGO, Feb. 9, 2010 \u2013 Ford Motor Company today unveiled the all-electric version of the Ford Transit Connect \u2013 the 2010 North American Truck of the Year \u2013 at the Chicago Auto Show and confirmed the zero-emissions small van will be in fleet operators\u2019 hands later this year.<\/p>\n
The 2011 Transit Connect Electric will use a Force Drive electric powertrain manufactured and integrated by specialty upfitter Azure Dynamics.<\/p>\n
\u201cTransit Connect Electric exemplifies how we are leveraging our relationships as well as our hybrid and advanced powertrain programs to bring energy-efficient technologies from the laboratory to the street,\u201d said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. \u201cNot only is this an ideal vehicle for eco-conscious fleet operators, it is an important part of Ford\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to the Transit Connect Electric, Ford plans to bring three more electrified vehicles to market by 2012 \u2013 the Focus Electric in 2011, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in 2012 and a next-generation hybrid in 2012.<\/p>\n
Getting charged up and moving
\n<\/strong> Transit Connect Electric is well-suited for commercial fleets that travel predictable, short-range routes with frequent stop-and-go driving in urban and suburban environments and a central location for daily recharging. The vehicle, which will accelerate at a similar rate as the gas-powered Transit Connect and will have a top speed of 75 mph, has a targeted range of up to\u00a080 miles on a full charge.<\/p>\nOwners will have the option of recharging the Transit Connect Electric with either a standard 120V outlet or preferably a 240V charge station installed at the user\u2019s base of operations for optimal recharging in six to eight hours. A transportable cord that works with both types of outlets will be available for recharging at both kinds of locations.<\/p>\n
The vehicle\u2019s charge port is located above the passenger-side rear wheel well. The onboard liquid-cooled 28-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack is charged by connecting the charge port. Inside the vehicle, an onboard charger converts the AC power from the electric grid to DC power to charge the battery pack.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re excited about the potential for our electrified vehicles,\u201d said Praveen Cherian, program manager for the Transit Connect Electric, who added that today\u2019s electric vehicle buyers are similar to early adopters of hybrid vehicles. \u201cPeople were a little hesitant about hybrids at first, but now they accept it and embrace it. We expect the same will be true of electric vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Driving on electric power
\n<\/strong> When the vehicle is operating, battery power is provided to the drive motor through the electric powertrain\u2019s motor controller. The motor controller uses throttle input from the driver to convert DC power supplied by the battery into three precisely timed signals used to drive the motor.<\/p>\nThe onboard DC\/DC converter allows the vehicle\u2019s main battery pack to charge the onboard\u00a012V battery, which powers the vehicle\u2019s various accessories, such as headlights, power steering and coolant pumps.<\/p>\n
In the Transit Connect Electric, the battery pack has been efficiently integrated without compromising interior passenger room and cargo space. The battery pack is expected to last the life of the vehicle.<\/p>\n
Collaborations are key
\n<\/strong> Transit Connect Electric builds on the existing business relationship between Ford and Azure Dynamics, as well as their shared experience with battery supplier, Johnson Controls-Saft.<\/p>\n\u201cThere is an increasing interest in electrified vehicles, and we are committed to bringing these vehicles to the marketplace,\u201d said Nancy Gioia, Ford director of Global Electrification. \u201cFord\u2019s work with Azure and Johnson Controls-Saft to create a purely electric Transit Connect will allow us to offer fleet customers an additional option for eco-friendly transportation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oak Park, Mich.-based Azure Dynamics develops hybrid electric and electric drive technology for shuttle buses and commercial trucks, such as the Balance\u2122 Hybrid Electric, which is built on the Ford E-450 cutaway and strip chassis for the medium-duty commercial vehicle segment.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe opportunity to work with Ford on the Transit Connect Electric is a breakthrough advancement for us at Azure and for the light-commercial vehicle market,\u201d said Scott Harrison, Azure Dynamics CEO. \u201cFor us, it\u2019s an important evolution of our existing relationship with Ford. From an industry standpoint, we are seeing delivery fleet and utility vehicle operators move to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Azure Dynamics\u2019 proprietary Force Drive battery electric powertrain will be the driving force in the Transit Connect Electric. Force Drive components have previously been deployed in more than 40 vehicle integrations and have more than 25 million miles of on-the-road experience.<\/p>\n
Johnson Controls-Saft was selected by Azure Dynamics as the supplier for lithium-ion battery cells and battery packs for the Transit Connect Electric. Azure Dynamics and Ford both currently use Johnson Controls-Saft battery technology for other products.<\/p>\n
An ideal platform
\n<\/strong> With a unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, cargo capacity, accessibility and low purchase and operation costs, the Transit Connect is an ideal choice for electrification.<\/p>\nThe Transit Connect Electric is expected to offer lower cost of operation, because recharging with electricity is generally less expensive than refueling with gasoline. Users may also benefit from much lower maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle. Consider the following:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tThe number of components typical in an internal combustion engine and transmission are dramatically reduced in an electric vehicle to just a few moving parts in the electric motor and transaxle, which results in much fewer parts to wear out or maintain
\n\u2022\tElectric powertrains operate with solid state electronics, which have demonstrated low or no maintenance over the life of the product
\n\u2022\tElectric vehicles have completely sealed cooling systems that do not require refilling, replacement or flushing
\n\u2022\tElectric vehicles require no oil changes or tune-ups
\n\u2022\tThere are no belts to wear out or break and no spark plugs or injectors to clean or adjust
\n\u2022\tThere is no exhaust system to replace and no liquid fuel system to freeze or clog
\n\u2022\tThe use of regenerative braking reduces wear and tear on brake pads
\nCommon strengths
\nAlthough there are significant differences between the Transit Connect Electric and its gas-powered twin, there are many things in common as well. Both models offer:
\n\u2022\t135 cubic feet of cargo volume with 59.1 inches of floor-to-ceiling load height and
\n47.8 inches of load width between the wheel arches
\n\u2022\tLoad length a generous 72.6 inches, or more than six feet of cargo floor space
\n\u2022\tSplit rear cargo doors that open at a standard 180 degrees, or an optionally available
\n255 degrees
\n\u2022\tLift-over height less than two feet when the vehicle is unloaded
\n\u2022\tPower-assisted rack-and-pinion steering allows a 39-foot curb-to-curb turning circle
\nfor maneuverability in tight urban spaces
\n\u2022\tBulkheads, racks, bins and other upfits can be mixed, matched and configured to suit many specific commercial applications and needs<\/p>\n
\u201cWith interest in eco-friendly vehicles stronger than ever among commercial and government fleet operators, the Transit Connect Electric promises to offer another unique solution for their needs,\u201d said Gerry Koss, Ford fleet marketing manager.<\/p>\n
– By: Omar Rana<\/em><\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/feedads.g.doubleclick.net\/~a\/VwqmbNNhp9wtVR7cHkKvT3sGzbs\/0\/di\")
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