Commercial car electrification agency Lunaz Applied Technologies (LAT) has entered administration, with the lack of round 40 jobs.
Autocar understands the three-year-old agency, based in 2021 as an offshoot of traditional automobile electrification specialist Lunaz, has folded after failing to acquire the required funding to start manufacturing of its electrical bin lorry, dubbed the Lunaz Upcycled Electric Vehicle.
However, Lunaz retains the mental property regarding its HGV electrification course of and plans to restart the programme when the market setting is extra hospitable.
The electromodding division – identified for its zero-emission reworkings of traditional Bentleys, Jaguars and Range Rovers – stays in operation and is known to be unaffected by the transfer.
A spokesperson informed Autocar: “The Lunaz Group is presently restructuring its enterprise to rescope timelines for the beginning of manufacturing for business car merchandise. This means the enterprise entity Lunaz Applied Technologies has stopped operations.
“This choice rebalances enterprise focus to passenger vehicles, which stay in manufacturing, with order books open for [Lunaz’s] 5 engineered EV platforms.
“It is meant that engineered business car platforms will start manufacturing at a later date, in response to confirmed and anticipated delays on the legislative requirement for fleets to transition to zero-emissions autos.
“This restructure will ensure demand for passenger vehicles can be met while ensuring commercial vehicles can be produced once market conditions drive demand.”
LAT deliberate to finally be changing 1100 diesel-engined industrial autos to electrical drivetrains annually, “to meet surging demand for electrified vehicles in the run-up to the 2030 [now 2035] ban on the sale of fossil-fuelled vehicles”.
Last yr, it agreed to provide waste administration firm Biffa with 10 Upcycled Electric Vehicles, in a deal that it stated would save as much as 210 tonnes in embedded carbon.
It then agreed a provide take care of Buckinghamshire Council, with plans to ship the primary lorry final autumn.
It is but to be confirmed whether or not it will likely be used for the manufacturing of passenger automobiles of economic automobiles
Tata Motors is considered one of India’s largest automobile producers and one of many high carmakers by way of passenger car gross sales. The firm already has 7 manufacturing services in India, 3 of that are used for the manufacturing of passenger automobiles. Now, the carmaker has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tamil Nadu authorities for establishing a brand new facility within the southern state.
About The New Plant
The particulars of the placement and measurement of the brand new facility are scarce however Tata has deliberate to take a position Rs 9,000 crore for the brand new manufacturing facility over the interval of the subsequent 5 years. As per Tata, this new facility will straight or not directly create as much as 5,000 new jobs within the state.
This MoU was signed within the presence of MK Stalin, CM (chief minister), Tamil Nadu, and was signed between V Vishnu, IAS, MD (managing director) & CEO, Guidance, and PB Balaji, Group CFO, Tata Motors.
Tata has additionally not clarified whether or not this new facility might be used for the manufacturing of passenger automobiles or business automobiles. We count on these particulars to be revealed sooner or later.
Benefits For Tata
Tata is presently positioned within the high three automobile manufacturing firms in India and is continually within the battle with Hyundai for the second spot. It is already on observe for an annual manufacturing capability of over 10 lakh models after the enlargement of the Sanand plant. However, the brand new facility, if used for the manufacturing of passenger automobiles, will permit Tata to increase its horizons even additional. Not solely will the added manufacturing assist the Indian carmaker keep decrease wait occasions, the upper manufacturing output may assist Tata get on a path to seize a better market share and keep comfortably forward of Hyundai.
PEUGEOT, the European chief in electrical gentle business car gross sales, has opened orders within the UK for its new vary of electrical vans, with first buyer deliveries as a consequence of start within the Spring.
The new E-PARTNER, E-EXPERT and E-BOXER all profit from revised styling, new know-how and new environment friendly electrical powertrains. The new E-PARTNER is offered from £25,455 (Basic value after PiVG) in a alternative of two trim ranges, PROFESSIONAL and ASPHALT. The new E-EXPERT begins from £36,210 (Basic value after PiVG) and can be obtainable in PROFESSIONAL and ASPHALT trims, whereas the brand new E-BOXER is priced from £44,485 (Basic value after PiVG) and could be ordered completely in PROFESSIONAL trim.
For the primary time within the LCV market, ChatGPT can be provided to all PEUGEOT prospects throughout its newest technology of sunshine business automobiles. Using the ‘OK PEUGEOT’ voice assistant, probably the most well-known generative synthetic intelligence mannequin on this planet is built-in into the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®, changing into a real driving companion.
The new PEUGEOT E-PARTNER is manufactured at Ellesmere Port, the UK’s first EV-only quantity manufacturing plant. From 2025, restricted manufacturing of the brand new E-EXPERT can be manufactured at Luton, alongside continued manufacturing of the combustion van. PEUGEOT, alongside its sister Stellantis manufacturers, is the one model to fabricate quantity gentle business automobiles within the UK.
New PEUGEOT E-PARTNER
The smallest mannequin in PEUGEOT’s e-LCV line-up and the best-selling small electrical van within the UK, the brand new E-PARTNER options an up to date design, new applied sciences, and an elevated all-electric vary of as much as 205 miles (WLTP).
The E-PARTNER’s new, extra alluring design options an up to date entrance finish with a brand new radiator grille that includes the PEUGEOT protect at its centre. Entry-level PROFESSIONAL trim contains new headlights that includes the model’s iconic three-claw gentle signature, that are upgraded to LEDs on the ASPHALT trim. The new E-PARTNER’s design is enhanced additional on ASPHALT fashions with body-colour bumpers and door handles, in addition to 16-inch wheel trims.
Inside, the PROFESSIONAL trim features a smartphone station with DAB radio, Bluetooth® and two USB connections. On ASPHALT trim, the progressive PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® is offered with a brand new 10-inch high-definition touchscreen that includes TomTom® 3D Connected Navigation, whereas key driving data is displayed in a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. For higher practicality, ASPHALT fashions are additionally fitted with a load-through bulkhead and twin passenger bench with under-seat storage.
The new E-PARTNER comes with a big selection of driving aids as customary, together with driver consideration alert, superior emergency braking with pedestrian and bike owner detection, cruise management and rear parking sensors. The ASPHALT trim provides much more help options, corresponding to Dynamic Surround View. This distinctive system contains two cameras offering a transparent digital view of the rear and passenger facet of the E-PARTNER, which might in any other case be tough to see on a panel van. Dynamic Surround View additionally contains blind spot alert, flankguard detection and a panoramic reversing digital camera.
The new PEUGEOT E-PARTNER is powered by an electrical motor producing 136hp and 270Nm of torque coupled with a 52kWh* battery. Thanks to enhancements within the car’s total effectivity, the brand new E-PARTNER affords an elevated vary of as much as 205 miles (WLTP).
To optimise vary, the brand new E-PARTNER includes a regenerative braking system that may be activated at three completely different ranges utilizing steering wheel paddles.
The underfloor set up of the batteries ensures no compromise in load quantity. The E-PARTNER’s helpful quantity is as much as 4.4m3, whereas the payload of 780kg and towable weight of 750kg are benchmarks within the section.
With a 7.4kW onboard charger and, as an choice, an 11kW three-phase charger, the E-PARTNER permits environment friendly charging regardless of the obtainable infrastructure. Estimated charging instances are as follows:
100kW DC charger: half-hour (recharging from 0 to 80%)
11kW AC charger: full recharge with the 11kW onboard charger in 5 hours
7.4kW AC charger: full cost with the 7.4kW onboard charger in 7.5 hours
To meet the wants of all professionals, the brand new PEUGEOT E-PARTNER is offered in two sizes: Standard Van (4.40m) with a normal passenger compartment (as much as 3 seats) or Long Van (4.75m), obtainable with a normal or prolonged passenger compartment (as much as 5 seats).
In addition to the brand new E-PARTNER, PEUGEOT affords a variety of PARTNERs outfitted with 100hp or 130hp BlueHDi diesel engines. The latter could be mixed with an EAT8 8-speed automated transmission.
The new PARTNER is offered from £20,255 (excl. VAT), with E-PARTNER ranging from £26,205 (Basic value after PiVG).
New PEUGEOT E-EXPERT
The new PEUGEOT E-EXPERT options the most recent PEUGEOT design on the entrance finish, with the redesigned grille and the model’s new emblem. The ASPHALT trim options new full LED headlights, body-colour bumpers with 17-inch wheel trims and power-folding door mirrors.
Inside, the PROFESSIONAL trim features a redesigned Mistral Black dashboard and a heated driver’s seat as customary, whereas the 10-inch digital instrument cluster and 10-inch touchscreen make for an environment friendly and pleasurable interplay between driver and car, now additional enhanced by the ‘OK PEUGEOT’ pure voice assistant, now built-in with ChatGPT. ASPHALT trim provides PEUGEOT’s i-Connect Advanced infotainment system with TomTom® 3D Connected Navigation.
To meet the wants of execs, the E-EXPERT comes with a 75kWh* battery paired with an electrical motor producing 136hp and 260Nm of torque, providing a variety of as much as 217 miles (WLTP). With its underfloor battery having no affect on load area, the E-EXPERT has a helpful quantity of as much as 6.6m3, a payload of 1,000kg and a towable weight of 1,000kg.
Like the E-PARTNER, the brand new E-EXPERT is fitted with a regenerative braking system with a alternative of three completely different regeneration ranges which could be chosen utilizing paddles situated behind the steering wheel.
The new E-EXPERT is fitted with a 7.4kW onboard charger (with an 11 kW three-phase charger obtainable as an choice) and can be charged at as much as 100kW on a DC speedy charger. Estimated charging instances are as follows:
100kW DC charger: 45 minutes (recharge from 0 to 80%).
11kW AC charger: full recharge with the 11kW onboard charger in 7 hours half-hour.
7.4kW AC charger: full cost with the 7.4kW onboard charger in 11 hours 20 minutes.
The new PEUGEOT E-EXPERT is offered in various variations: Standard (4.98m) or Long (5.33m) panel van, and Standard or Long 5 or six-seater crew van.
In addition, PEUGEOT affords a variety of EXPERTs outfitted with 120hp or 145hp BlueHDi diesel engines mixed with a six-speed handbook gearbox. The BlueHDi 145hp model can be obtainable with an EAT8 eight-speed automated transmission.
New EXPERT is offered from £26,710 (excl. VAT), with E-EXPERT ranging from £36,210 (Basic value after PiVG).
New E-BOXER
The new E-BOXER is the biggest mannequin in PEUGEOT’s LCV line-up and is offered completely within the highly-equipped PROFESSIONAL trim. The up to date exterior styling features a new entrance bumper, redesigned rear-view mirrors and a brand new body-colour grille incorporating routinely managed sections to manage airflow. The new E-BOXER additionally has new full LED entrance headlights and redesigned tail lamps. Like the remainder of the vary, it now options the brand new PEUGEOT protect.
The inside of the E-BOXER has additionally been extensively overhauled with a brand new steering wheel design, dashboard, seat materials, and door panels. Infotainment is offered by a 10-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and 3D Connected Navigation. Automatic local weather management, a wi-fi telephone charger and keyless entry and begin present higher consolation and comfort.
Powered by a brand new electrical powertrain, the all-electric E-BOXER affords distinctive efficiency, creating 270hp and 400Nm of torque. The 110kWh* battery supplies a formidable vary of as much as 261 miles (WLTP). Paddles behind the steering wheel can be utilized to activate 4 completely different ranges of regenerative braking for added effectivity.
The E-BOXER is supplied with an 11kW three-phase onboard charger, whereas the continual onboard charger is able to reaching 150kW. Estimated charging instances are as follows:
150kW DC charger: 55 minutes (recharging from 0 to 80%).
11kW AC charger: full cost with the 11kW onboard charger in 12 hours.
The new PEUGEOT E-BOXER is offered in a number of variations. Based on the 4.04m wheelbase, the panel vans are available in two lengths (L3 and L4) that are additionally obtainable as incomplete chassis cabs.
In addition to the brand new E-BOXER, PEUGEOT additionally affords a variety of BOXER fashions outfitted with the two.2-litre BlueHDi diesel engine in two energy ranges, 140hp and 180hp, mixed with a six-speed handbook gearbox or a brand new eight-speed automated gearbox.
New BOXER is offered from £30,315 (excl. VAT), with E-BOXER ranging from £44,485 (Basic value after PiVG).
ChatGPT within the i-Cockpit® of all PEUGEOT automobiles
PEUGEOT has established itself as one in every of Europe’s foremost tech-forward manufacturers, with the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit® providing elevated ranges of connectivity and management. To improve the shopper expertise even additional, ChatGPT can be provided to all PEUGEOT prospects throughout its newest technology of passenger automobiles and lightweight business automobiles. The most well-known generative synthetic intelligence mannequin on this planet is built-in into the PEUGEOT i-Cockpit®, changing into a real driving companion.
Using the ‘OK PEUGEOT’ voice assistant, drivers merely voice their queries on any topic and ChatGPT will reply, offering solutions to particular questions corresponding to suggesting landmarks to go to after which guiding drivers there utilizing the navigation system. The ChatGPT integration was introduced on the model’s E-LION DAY, which befell in January this yr and reaffirmed PEUGEOT’s electrical and sustainability commitments to its prospects.
• Robert Deane joins Volvo Car UK as Commercial Operations Director
• Deane’s intensive automotive sector expertise will help the corporate’s direct-to-consumer (D2C) gross sales technique, strengthening its shopper and retailer relationships
Volvo Car UK is happy to announce the appointment of Robert Deane as its new Commercial Operations Director.
Deane joins the corporate with intensive expertise in senior positions within the automotive sector. Most just lately he was Commercial Director – International Markets on the electrical bike firm LiveWire and Director of Sales Planning and Network Development for the EMEA areas at Harley-Davidson. His expertise additionally covers time throughout Jaguar Land Rover, Volkswagen Group UK and PSA Peugeot Citroën, based mostly each within the UK and in China.
He took up his new function on 4 March, succeeding Nicole Melillo Shaw, who was appointed Managing Director of Volvo Car UK in November 2023.
Speaking about his new function, Deane stated: “We are in a fast-changing business landscape where we need to be able to do more than simply offer great products and meet consumer expectations. As well as making the consumer experience as smooth, straightforward and reassuring as possible, we have to strengthen and maintain mutually rewarding relationships with retailers as we develop our D2C sales strategy – this is something I am very passionate about. I’m delighted to be joining at this exciting time and am looking forward to this new chapter with Volvo.”
Welcoming Deane to the corporate, Nicole Melillo Shaw stated: “I am delighted with Robert’s appointment. His experience in leading the transition to a direct-to-consumer model, coupled with his longevity within the automotive sector, will help us to enhance our consumer journey and retailer relationships. These will ultimately drive further growth for our brand.”
Double-cab pick-up vehicles are set to lose their standing as business autos in relation to paying firm automotive tax.
Massive modifications to the benefit-in-kind (BIK) guidelines will imply that company car drivers will face a near-fivefold enhance in private tax payments for any such pick-up bought from 1 July 2024.
Currently, any pick-up that meets the factors of getting a payload of greater than 1000kg (or 1045kg with a hardtop put in) is taken into account a business automobile.
This is consistent with the present VAT guidelines, permitting enterprise customers to reclaim tax on vans and pick-ups.
From 1 July, HRMC will abandon the payload-based definition and deem any pick-up with a second row of seats as appropriate for personal use and due to this fact a automotive.
Due to beneficial VAT and BIK taxation, the UK is likely one of the largest markets in Europe for pick-up vehicles.
The Ford Ranger is the nation’s best-selling instance, with 18,679 registrations for a 45.5% market share in 2023.
The hottest Wildtrak variant with a 2.0-litre diesel engine has a primary listing value of £47,220 together with VAT. Under the brand new guidelines, its 230g/km CO2 emissions place it within the high BIK taxation group of 37%.
A 20% taxpayer in England will due to this fact must pay £291 per 30 days and a 40% taxpayer £582 per 30 days in BIK tax for having it as a firm automotive.
This compares to a flat charge of simply £60 per 30 days for 20% taxpayers or £120 per 30 days for 40% taxpayers at current.
There are exceptions that can imply any double-cab pick-up that is completely modified to make it appropriate for business use by eradicating the seats and fittings (in addition to changing the rear glass with fibreglass or steel panels) will nonetheless be thought-about as a business automobile.
The guidelines will not be backdated to cowl staff at the moment driving pick-ups as firm vehicles, and any purchases, leases or orders positioned earlier than 1 July will not be topic to the brand new guidelines.
Owners will then have till the lease expires, the automobile is offered or 5 April 2028 to proceed to pay the prevailing BIK tax charges.
Of the pick-ups at the moment on the UK market, the KGM Musso, Maxus T90EV and Volkswagen Amarok do not supply a single-cab variant.
The industrial success of the hybrid car has been fairly a factor to witness over the previous couple of a long time. It has created a broad and diversified patchwork of fashions to select from for personal patrons and firm automobile house owners alike.
And it’s that diversified choice – on the extra compact and reasonably priced finish of the spectrum – that we’re getting in amongst right here. If you are after greater and extra luxurious electrified fashions, we rank these on our Best Hybrid SUVs web page.
As zero-emission gross sales legal guidelines tighten over the approaching years and we transfer nearer to the entire phasing out of combustion-engined new cars across the UK and the EU by 2035, it’s inconceivable to say how lengthy the hybrid powertrain will stay such a dominant drive – but it surely should already be thought-about to be on borrowed time.
Car makers are actually required by regulation to register an growing proportion of their whole UK gross sales quantity as zero-emission all-electric vehicles, on a sliding scale from 2024 onwards that’s set to rise to 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. And whereas PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electrical autos) and HEVs (hybrid electrical autos) could assist prospects put together for the concept of a completely electrified automobile, they gained’t assist their makers to keep away from hefty fines in the event that they fail to fulfill these deadlines.
For now, in fact, a hybrid powertrain could merely be the proper selection in your subsequent automobile – maybe as a result of it saves you cash on the petrol pump, or helps drive down how a lot benefit-in-kind (BIK) firm automobile tax you pay, or provides you a automobile with a low emissions score and a helpful electrical vary with which to entry a low-emissions zone, or to make most of your day by day motoring emissions-free. These are our favourites.
1. Mercedes-Benz C300e
Pros: nice electrical vary for the value, little practicality compromise, a number of digital cabin tech
Cons: would not deal with like a sports activities saloon, barely disappointing cabin high quality
Packing a drive battery twice the dimensions of a lot of its PHEV rivals’, the present Mercedes C300e has a claimed WLTP electrical vary of as much as 69 miles. That’s sufficient not solely to make the automobile notably tax-efficient, but in addition to make a giant distinction to the financial savings it might ship for drivers who pay for their very own gasoline.
The C300e’s powerplant contains a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and a 127bhp electrical motor and makes 308bhp in all, in a automobile that may crack 62mph from relaxation in simply 6.1sec. The mannequin is accessible in each saloon and property bodystyles with no important compromise to both passenger or boot area from its further PHEV {hardware}.
The C300e has impressed our street testers with its refinement and isolation, and likewise with its laid-back, luxury-first, Mercedes S-Class-in-miniature vibes. Keener drivers with much less of an eye fixed on their tax payments could most likely nonetheless choose to contemplate the likes of the BMW 330e or Peugeot 508 PSE, however for many fleet drivers and operators, the C300e’s glorious electrical vary is certain to make it a well-liked possibility.
Vauxhall was the main electrical gentle industrial automobile (e-LCV) model within the UK in 2023 – outselling its nearest competitor by greater than double
More than 1 / 4 (29.8%) of e-LCVs offered within the UK in 2023 was a Vauxhall
Vivaro Electric continued its run because the best-selling electrical van within the UK, topping gross sales charts in December and in 2023 total
Vivaro was the second-best promoting van total within the UK in 2023
Vauxhall was the third-best promoting model within the total van market in 2023, promoting 24.8% extra autos than in 2022 in a market that was up by 21%.
Vauxhall is one among few producers providing fleets and companies a completely electrical van throughout its complete line-up
Vauxhall and its Stellantis sister manufacturers are the one mainstream automotive manufacturers to supply vans in Britain, at Luton and Ellesmere Port
Ellesmere Port is the UK’s first EV-only quantity manufacturing plant
Vauxhall was the UK’s best-selling electrical van producer in 2023, in accordance with the newest new gentle industrial automobile registration figures printed right now by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The model topped the gross sales charts for the third yr in a row, promoting 6,402 electrical vans in 2023 – greater than double its nearest competitor. The success of Vauxhall’s electrical vans as non-public and fleet autos implies that greater than 1 / 4 (29.8%) of electrical gentle industrial autos (e-LCVs) registered in 2023 was a Vauxhall.
Vauxhall is one among few manufacturers to supply an electrical variant throughout its complete LCV line-up. In 2023, practically a fifth (18.5%) of Vauxhall’s total van gross sales had been of absolutely electrical variants.
The Vivaro Electric, just lately named Best Medium Electric Van on the What Car? Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards, led the e-LCV market in 2023 in addition to through the month of December. In the general van market, the Vivaro was the UK’s second best-selling van, with 20,477 offered in 2023.
Vauxhall’s complete LCV vary (Combo, Vivaro and Movano) has just lately been upgraded to function cutting-edge new powertrains, new applied sciences and important worth reductions on electrical fashions in comparison with their predecessors. The success of its LCV vary means Vauxhall was the third best-selling model within the total van market in 2023, with 34,632 vans offered – a 24.8% enhance (6,895) over 2022 in a market that was up by 21%.
Vauxhall’s vans are a part of Stellantis Pro One LCV line-up, comprising within the UK of Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroën and Fiat. Stellantis Pro One mixed UK registrations stood at 94,978 vans for 2023 – up from 74,879 autos in 2022, representing a market share of 27.23% of the UK LCV market, up from 25.97% in 2022.
James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall, mentioned: “It’s a fantastic achievement to be the UK’s best-selling e-LCV manufacturer for the third year running, demonstrating our long-standing commitment to electrifying Britain’s businesses. With the award-winning Vivaro Electric continuing to be the leader in electric van sales and Vauxhall accounting for more than one in four electric vans sold in the UK in 2023, it’s clear that we are the brand of choice for van drivers looking to go electric.”
Vauxhall and sister manufacturers Peugeot, Citroën and Fiat are presently the one mainstream automotive manufacturers to supply vans in Britain. In 2023, Ellesmere Port turned the UK’s first EV-only quantity manufacturing plant the place it produces the Stellantis small electrical van vary, together with the Vauxhall Combo Electric, whereas the Stellantis manufacturing unit in Luton continues to fabricate the Vauxhall Vivaro and its sister fashions.
The Ford E-Transit is among the Blue Oval’s first electrical business automobiles, launched in 2022. The chassis may be geared up with a wide range of physique kinds and interiors, catering to a number of wants. Ford sourced the drivetrain from the F-150 Lightning, and the battery from the Mach-E. American fashions are solely obtainable with the single-motor rear-wheel drive configuration.
Model
Ford E-Transit
Engine:
Single permanent-magnet motor
Torque
317 LB-FT
Range
126 miles (est.)
Transmission
Single-speed automated
Driveline
Rear-wheel drive
MSRP
$45,995
Charge Time
12 hours @ 240V
Payload Capacity
3,330-3,880 LBS
Pros
Lots of physique kinds obtainable
Does not compromise on load-bearing skills
Good acceleration capabilities
Good vary from the battery
Somewhat pleasurable to drive
Cons
Costly for a fleet automobile
Two-brake regenerative braking feels overseas
Seats do not cater to lengthy drives
Cannot be used for towing
The Ford E-Transit enters its third manufacturing 12 months, as Ford‘s solely all-electric business automobile choice within the U.S. It could look like a straight-forward electrified Transit conversion, however the model’s engineers and designers utilized some ingenious parts to the van’s newly designed chassis with out compromising on its purposeful skills.
The E-Transit adopts the Mustang Mach-E’s battery pack and F-150 Lightning’s electric drive motor in between the ladder-frame construction. This showcases how the model intelligently applies cross-development methods to its mannequin traces for the sake of reducing prices with out hindering the product’s high quality.
The E-Transit’s configurator may be very in depth, in a bid to cater to a broad aspect of fleet necessities, however the problem it faces is whether or not it’s too forward of its time. Passenger automobile customers are nonetheless grasping their heads around electric car ownership. Businesses have far more demanding wants, as fleet automobiles should cowl longer distances extensively, carry considerably heavier hundreds, and be topic to a lot harsher operational situations. There’s no denying the attraction of a extra cost-effective electric option for fleets, however there are numerous cons that you just additionally want to contemplate.
The new Ford E-Transit will ship 126 miles of vary and will probably be priced underneath $45,000
In order to provide the most recent and correct data attainable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from varied producer web sites and different authoritative sources, together with Ford, Top Gear, Edmunds, The NHTSA
What’s New For 2024
It takes a eager eye to note the visible variations between the Ford E-Transit and its ICE counterpart. The solely noteworthy distinction is the charging port positioned under the Blue Oval badge. Other than this, the business van retains all of the gasoline-driven mannequin’s visible design cues, together with the entrance grille, however with blue accenting, daring headlight clusters, metal wheels, and a number of physique configurations.
2024 Highlights
Keyless entry and begin is normal throughout all trims
New optionally available HID bulbs for the headlights
Optional silver or black alloy wheels
Tinted or privateness glass
Optional color-coded bumper and fog lights
Specifications And Performance
Ford
The Ford E-Transit is barely obtainable with the model’s single permanent-magnet electrical motor that drives the rear wheels. This unit produces 266 horsepower and 317 pound-feet by way of a single-speed planetary automated transmission. Being a business automobile, Ford doesn’t present a claimed 0-60 MPH time, nevertheless it does affirm an 81 MPH high velocity. The E-Transit makes use of the identical 68 kWh lithium-ion battery pack found in the base Mustang Mach-E trim.
Reviewers word that the E-Transit’s electrical powertrain makes it an enjoyable van to pilot, due to improved throttle responsiveness and earlier entry to the height torque determine. The largest benefit is the omission of the loud powertrain, making each day routes extra of an pleasurable activity. The single-speed automated transmission is much simpler to make use of than the ICE’s six-speed guide shifter, which is a major benefit in tighter additional city settings.
Performance Specifications
Powertrain
Single permanent-magnet motor
Horsepower
266 HP
Torque
317 LB-FT
Transmission
Single-Speed Automatic
Battery
68 kWh Net
Range
Miles
Fuel Economy
N/A
0-60 MPH
N/A
Top Speed
81 MPH
(Specs sourced from Ford)
The E-Transit feels extra composed on straight and curved roads, due to the battery pack’s low heart of gravity. This part additionally removes the unbalanced ride that vans typically struggle with when they’re unladen, however the physique roll traits are on par with these of the fuel-driven choices. The E-Transit feels pretty secure at freeway speeds, additional motivating its versatile status.
Exterior Dimensions
Regular, Low Roof
Long El, High Roof
Length
219.9 Inches
263.9 Inches
Width
97.4 Inches
97.4 Inches
Height
82.2 Inches
110.4 Inches
Wheelbase
130 Inches
148 Inches
Front Track
68.2 Inches
68.2 Inches
Rear Track
68.2 Inches
68.2 Inches
Curb Weight
5,619 Pounds
6,169 Pounds
(Specs sourced from Ford)
Year-to-Year Changes
The Ford E-Transit could also be available on the market for 3 years, however in true business automobile vogue, it has not been subjected to that many modifications and alterations. The 2024 mannequin provides new optionally available HID bulbs for the headlights to the configurator, whereas all trims profit from distant keyless good entry and distant start-up. It was introduced in 2022 because the model’s third absolutely electrical automobile, subsequent to the Mach-E and F-150 Lightning, and the primary devoted business EV choice. The 2023 mannequin 12 months launched the college bus trim, Blue Metallic and Blue Mist paint choices, optionally available rear proximity sensors, and glued cabinets for the excessive roof physique. All trims additionally had a revised rear velocity restricted put in.
Optional HID headlight bulbs
Remote good keyless entry and begin
School bus trim (2023)
Blue Metallic and Mist paint choices (2023)
Optional rear parking sensors (2023)
Fixed cabinets for the excessive roof (2023)
White noise reverse alarm
Towing and Payload Capacities
The Ford E-Transit can not tow and thus, doesn’t have any tow capability scores, however a gasoline F-150 will be an ideal option if towing is a major want. The E-Transit is constructed for carrying payloads of all styles and sizes. The entry-level low roof and common size cab can carry 3,880 kilos, whereas the biggest long-EL and excessive roof configuration accommodates 4,476 kilos. The most gross automobile weight score for all trims is 9,500 kilos.
Regular, Low Roof
Long El, High Roof
Payload Capacity
3,880 Pounds
4,476 Pounds
Towing Capacity
N/A
N/A
Ford E-Transit Charging Time And Range
Ford
Ford estimates the E-Transit’s 68 kWh battery to recharge in 12 hours utilizing an ordinary Level Two 240-volt outlet. This time decreases to eight hours when utilizing a 48Ah circuit. DC Level-Three fast charging is locked at 115 kW, offering 45 miles of vary, each quarter-hour, or 10 to 80 p.c in 20 minutes. Ford doesn’t give an estimate for the standard 110V Level One level. All E-Transit fashions come normal with a Level Two charger for residence or public charging stations.
Charging Times
Range
Level 1 AC 110V Charging time (0-100%)
N/A
Level 2 DC 220V Charging time (0-100%)
12 Hours
Level 3 DC 440V Charging time (10-80%)
20 Minutes
(Specs sourced from Ford)
You can specify the $1,265 Pro Power Onboard bundle, which supplies you entry to a 120-volt plug level with 2.4 kW of energy, which is good for small home equipment and instruments. It additionally features a 12-volt plug for small lights and good system chargers, however solely within the van configurations. Cutaway and Chassis Cabs get a secondary outlet and harness within the dunnage.
Interior Technology, Luxury, And Comfort
Best Interior Features Of The 2024 Ford E-Transit
Air conditioning
Ford Sync 4 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Six audio system
Two 12-volt plug ports
Front vinyl flooring and material headliners
Lockable glove field
The Ford E-Transit vary is a bare-bones providing, in true panel van vogue. All cabs come fitted with material headliners and vinyl flooring upholstery, and material upholstery for the manually adjustable driver and passenger seats. The spotlight of the cabin is the 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system related to 6 audio system. The unit options Ford’s Sync 4 know-how, which incorporates navigation, SiriusXM, and HD Radio.
As you possibly can count on, the E-Transit’s cab has more than enough headroom and legroom for even the tallest of customers. The common low roof configuration has 40.8 inches of headroom, whereas the biggest excessive roof fashions accommodate an enormous 56.6 inches. Legroom for all configurations is about at 39.7 inches. The E-Transit’s major perform is to hold cargo, and Ford presents a wide range of physique configurations that fluctuate between 246.7 cubic-feet to 287.3 cubic ft.
Ford supplies a number of optionally available extras and packages, additional widening the E-Transit’s market attraction. If you need extra inside area, the producer may also take away a number of the many storage amenities positioned on the ceiling, in addition to the passenger seat.
Interior Dimensions
Regular, Low Roof
Long El, High Roof
Headroom
40.8 Inches
56.6 Inches
Legroom
39.7 Inches
39.7 Inches
Shoulder Room
67.9 Inches
67.9 Inches
Cargo Capacity
246.7 Cu.Ft.
287.3 Cu.Ft.
(Specs sourced from Ford)
Safety And Reliability
Standard safety equipment is impressive in the E-Transit. The cab options one airbag for the driving force and passenger, every, along with aspect and curtain airbags, which is complete by panel van requirements. Additional options embrace a tire strain monitoring system and Ford’s SecuriLock passive anti-theft safety system with an engine immobilizer. Optional security tools features a perimeter alarm, a white noise backup alarm, and an ordinary backup alarm.
Local or worldwide authorities haven’t carried out crash assessments for the E-Transit, so there is not any clear indication concerning how the construction will carry out within the occasion of a collision. On the reliability entrance, the E-Transit has been subject to eight recalls referring to the defective rear-facing digital camera, HVAC controls, instrument cluster lighting, and the seat-belt locking retractor.
These remembers additionally have an effect on ICE Transit fashions, so it isn’t clarified how lots of the affected items are the electrified fashions. The Euro NCAP did give the European-specification vary a Gold Award for its complete superior driver help methods, however the area’s specs do not precisely mirror the American mannequin.
Driver Assistance Features
Ford
Ford presents a stage of driver help methods that’s on par with some passenger automobile choices. These embrace the same old ABS with digital brake help and distribution and traction and stability management by way of the electrical motor system. Although Blue Cruise is absent, superior driver help methods are current by way of packages.
ABS with digital brake distribution and brake help
Optional reverse brake help
Optional 160-degree digital camera with split-view
Optional Blind Spot Assist 1.0
Optional Enhanced Active Park Assist
Ford presents an extended checklist of extra superior security options that embrace Blind Spot Assist 1.0, reverse brake help, and a 360-degree digital camera with break up view and a washer for the entrance digital camera.
Recalls (NHTSA): 0
NHTSA Investigations: 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints: There are at the moment 9 client complaints referring to the rear-facing digital camera, lane departure system, electrical system, and door latches and locks.
Every E-Transit is bought with Ford’s normal business automobile guarantee, which features a 36-month or 36,000-mile full guarantee, a 60-month and 60,000-mile powertrain guarantee, and an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty for the battery system. The normal bundle additionally contains roadside help for 60 months or 60,000 miles and corrosion for 60 months over a vast mileage.
Full Warranty
36 Months/36,000 Miles
Powertrain Warranty
60 Months/60,000 Miles
Maintenance Warranty
0 Months/0 Miles
Roadside Warranty
60 Months/60,000 Miles
Corrosion Warranty
60 Months/Unlimited Miles
Federal Emissions Performance
24 Months/24,000 Miles
Federal Emissions Defect
36 Months/36,000 Miles
Seat Belt And Airbags
60 Months/60,000 Miles
(Specs sourced from Ford)
2024 Ford E-Transit Versus Its Competitors
The E-Transit’s major rivals within the electrical van section are the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter and the Rivian Commercial Van. The electrical business van section is an extremely area of interest market in the meanwhile, regardless of demand seemingly being extra outstanding than ever. Ford clearly has the higher hand by being the primary to hit the market, however there’s the query of whether or not this is enough to make it a segment-leader.
How The Ford E-Transit Compares To The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
2024 Ford E-Transit
Model
Ford E-Transit
Engine:
Single permanent-magnet motor
Torque
317 LB-FT
Range
126 miles (est.)
Transmission
Single-speed automated
Driveline
Rear-wheel drive
MSRP
$45,995
Charge Time
12 hours @ 240V
Payload Capacity
3,330-3,880 LBS
2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
Model
Mercedes-Benz eSprinter
Engine:
Single permanent-magnet motor
Torque
249 LB-FT
Range
249 miles (WLTP)
Transmission
Single-speed automated
Driveline
Rear-wheel drive
MSRP
$71,886
Charge Time
12.5 hours @ 240V
Payload Capacity
2,624 LBS
The Mercedes-Benz eSprinter is a significantly costlier choice in comparison with the E-Transit, which is arguably the largest motive why it would not actually stand an opportunity in opposition to Ford’s electrical business van choice. Cost is the largest issue when contemplating fleet automobiles, and a $25,000 premium per unit would not fairly justify the eSprinter’s noteworthy benefits. Mercedes-Benz has geared up the mannequin with a beneficiant 113 kWh battery pack, granting it a 249-mile vary declare based mostly on the European WLTP cycle, which is reasonably conservative.
The eSprinter can be not as highly effective because the E-Transit, leading to a considerably decrease payload capability. A significant drawing card of the eSprinter is its 488 cubic-feet cargo capability, which is sort of double that of the E-Transit excessive roof choice. The eSprinter is barely obtainable with a long-wheelbase and excessive roof configuration, so the vary can be not as versatile as Ford’s EV cargo van fighter.
Mercedes is focusing specifically on excessive vary within the battle for section supremacy
How The Ford E-Transit Compares To The Rivian Commercial Van
2024 Ford E-Transit
Model
Ford E-Transit
Engine:
Single permanent-magnet motor
Torque
317 LB-FT
Range
126 miles (est.)
Transmission
Single-speed automated
Driveline
Rear-wheel drive
MSRP
$45,995
Charge Time
12 hours @ 240V
Payload Capacity
3,330-3,880 LBS
Horsepower
266 HP
2024 Rivian Commercial Van
Model
Rivian Commercial Van
Engine:
Single permanent-magnet motor
Torque
N/A
Range
153-161 miles (est.)
Transmission
Single-speed automated
Driveline
Front-wheel drive
MSRP
$83,000
Charge Time
12 hours @ 240V
Payload Capacity
2,513-2,734 kilos
Horsepower
N/A
The Rivian Commercial Van might be the coolest-looking electrical van to ever be launched onto the market. Looking past aesthetics, it proves to be a reasonably succesful van choice that has already gained the hearts of many organizations, comparable to Amazon. However, worth is as soon as once more a noteworthy issue, because the vary’s pricing begins at $83,000. The Rivian Commercial Van is quite a bit larger than the E-Transit, nevertheless it includes a considerably decrease payload capability.
The Rivian van’s EV vary is on par with the E-Transit regardless of it having a battery pack that has greater than twice the capability of Ford’s. Its bigger proportions imply which you can carry 487 cubic-feet of cargo within the Delivery 500, and 652 cubic-feet within the Delivery 700, making it a much more sensible choice in comparison with the Ford. Rivian doesn’t disclose the Commercial Van’s energy outputs, however the front-wheel drive electrical motor is a closely detuned model of the one used on the R1T’s and R1S’s front axle.
That’s proper, Rivian is including all-electric supply vans to its portfolio
How Much The 2024 Ford E-Transit Costs
The Ford E-Transit van range starts at $49,995 for the common wheelbase and low roof configuration. The most costly configuration is the excessive roof and prolonged wheelbase mannequin, which will increase the worth to $55,995. A fundamental cutaway chassis is the most cost effective choice at $45,995, adopted by the $46,495 Chassis Cab.
Pricing
Trim Level
Price
Cutaway
$45,995
Chassis Cab
$46,495
Cargo Van
$49,995
(Specs sourced from Ford)
Is It Worth Buying The Ford E-Transit?
The Ford E-Transit is a commendable try at creating an eco-friendly business automobile, however there are nonetheless critical questions concerning its feasibility and practicality. The E-Transit is simply over $3,500 more than the 3.5-liter V-6 option and likewise can’t be had with all-wheel drive. The electrified Transit can be not fitted to towing.
Fleets that function over lengthy distances may also be pissed off by the mannequin’s charging intervals. The E-Transit could be an excellent choice to contemplate if the nationwide charging infrastructure have been up-to-date. As an electrical van, nevertheless, Ford has performed an awesome job at placing collectively a reliable product with an excellent energy output and excessive payload capability. It’s additionally the one EV choice with a body and chassis cab choice, interesting to a broad spectrum of enterprise homeowners and repair suppliers.
Vivaro Electric wins ‘Best Medium Electric Van’ at the 2024 What Car? Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards
Available with either a 50kWh or 75kWh battery, the Vivaro Electric is capable of traveling up to 205 miles on a single charge (WLTP) and has a maximum payload of 1,226kg
Vivaro Electric is the UK’s best-selling electric light commercial vehicle year-to-date and is eligible for the Stellantis e-LCV Grant, offering customers a £2,500 incentive on stock vehicles until 31 December 2023
Stellantis e-LCV Grant also includes a free home wallbox installation* and £400 credit on an Octopus Electroverse card**
Vauxhall is the UK’s number one electric van brand and one of few brands to already offer a fully electric variant across its entire LCV line-up
The Vauxhall Vivaro Electric has been named ‘Best Medium Electric Van’ at the What Car? Van and Commercial Vehicle Awards. The award recognized the Vivaro Electric for its exceptional range, practicality, and comfort.
The Vivaro Electric is the United Kingdom’s leading electric van this year and was praised for its impressive range and load capacity. With a maximum payload of 1,226kg, the Vivaro Electric can drive up to 205 miles on a single charge (WLTP).
According to Steve Huntingford, Editor of What Car?, “The Vauxhall Vivaro Electric is a former Overall What Car? Van of the Year, and it remains the best medium-sized electric van you can buy. It’s practical, comfortable, and has a long electric range, and while its sister models from the Stellantis Group offer similar attributes, the Vivaro Electric is predicted to offer better resale values.”
James Taylor, Managing Director of Vauxhall, stated, “I’m thrilled that the Vivaro Electric can add another award to its roster. It’s clear that the public agree with the judges on the capabilities of Vivaro Electric, as it continues to lead the charts as Britain’s best-selling electric van in 2023. I am confident that the recently announced new generation of Vauxhall electric vans, including New Vivaro Electric, will continue to prove just as popular in helping British businesses transition to an electrified future.”
The Vivaro Electric has already garnered numerous awards, including ‘Medium Van of the Year’ at the What Van? Awards 2022 and ‘Best Medium Electric Van’ at the Driving Electric Awards 2022. It was also voted ‘International Van of the Year 2021’, alongside multiple other top honors, while its sales success underpinned Vauxhall’s status as the UK’s best-selling e-LCV manufacturer in 2021 and 2022.
Vauxhall and parent company Stellantis are supporting British businesses in their transition to electric small and medium vans with the Stellantis e-LCV Grant, available on Vivaro Electric. The grant offers an additional £2,500 on top of the existing government grant for electric vans, worth up to £5,000. The Stellantis e-LCV Grant also includes a free home wallbox installation* and £400 credit on an Octopus Electroverse card, providing up to 2,500 miles of public charging from over 500,000 chargers across the UK and Europe – all from one easy-to-use card**.
The e-LCV Grant is available on all purchase and lease options, including outright purchase, conditional sale/hire purchase, Finance Lease or Business Contract Hire through Leasys, ensuring all customers making the switch to electric can benefit.
The offer applies to orders, on stock vehicles, until and including 31/12/2023.
Vauxhall is one of the only manufacturers in the UK to already offer businesses a fully electric light commercial vehicle (LCV) across its model range. To find out more about the Vauxhall electric van range, visit: https://www.vauxhall.co.uk/vans/commercial-vehicles.html
*Standard home installation according to the installer’s guidelines. Extra costs will be applicable where non-standard install material/practices are required, such as additional cabling.
**Based on WLTP test figures and average public charging costs across networks which can be accessed using Octopus Electroverse card.
Stellantis has announced its ambition to become the global leader in light commercial vehicles (LCVs) by 2027, surpassing its rival Ford.
The multinational company plans to increase its sales of vans and pick-up trucks from 1.6 million globally in the previous year to around two million in 2027, which is expected to be enough to surpass Ford.
During an event outlining the company’s future strategy in the market segment, Stellantis LCV boss Jean-Philippe Imparato stated, “If you want to be number one, you have to beat Ford.”
As part of its focus on vans, Stellantis has rebranded its commercial business unit as Pro One.
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