FORD

Brand starts a test program for E-Transit, electrical version of Transit, in the United States

The partnership is made with large fleet owners who will run pre-production units of the vehicle before it arrives on the local market, in early 2022. A similar initiative is also being developed in Europe.

Participating companies are from different segments, from leasing, deliveries, services and maintenance to telecommunications and dealerships. In addition to testing the performance of the electric van, they will be able to identify the best routes and try out the loading and fleet management solutions developed by Ford Pro, the brand's new commercial vehicle division, which this year also started operations in Brazil.

“Our customers are telling us that they have ambitious goals for sustainability and reducing carbon emissions in their fleet with the integration of electric vehicles,” says Ted Cannis, CEO of Ford Pro. “E-Transit and the Ford Pro ecosystem, especially the charging solutions play a key role in achieving these goals without interfering with your business results”.

The first electric van of a major automaker in North America, the E-Transit was designed to meet a variety of applications with eight configurations, including a cargo version with three roof heights and three lengths, in addition to the chassis-cab version. Ford has also developed software tools to optimize the operation of the E-Transit using the Ford Pro E-Telematics connectivity system. In addition to providing real-time vehicle information such as range, alerts, monitoring and charge history, it allows for tracking, settings and battery programming to save energy and maximize range.

The Ford Pro Charging system, on the other hand, brings complete tools for recharging the vehicle, whether in a home, public or company network, according to the operational needs of the fleet. If the driver recharges the vehicle at home at night, for example, the system generates reports to simplify reimbursement. For public charging, Ford has the largest network in America, the BlueOval Charge Network, with more than 19,500 stations and 63,000 plugs nationwide. For business recharging, it has developed monitoring equipment and software that avoid higher energy costs during peak hours.

“More than providing electric vehicles, Ford Pro is helping companies find the best solutions for energy and fleet management,” says Cannis. “Our services cover the vehicle and the entire operating environment of the business, which is the only way to adhere to electric vehicles. Any other approach would be detrimental to the bottom line of the business."

Autonews