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By Jonathan Crouch

Not convinced by the current crop of mid-sized EV vans? Jonathan Crouch thinks you might be by this one, Ford's E-Transit Custom.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 45

Ford's E-Transit Custom sets a new standard for what an all-electric mid-sized van can be. Not only in driving range - at 236 miles - but also in ease-of-use and operating efficiency. If you're needing a full-battery LCV of this size, you can't ignore it.

Backgroundword count: 164

Could this be the most significant road test you'll read all year? Quite possibly. This is after all the very first all-electric version of Britain's best selling vehicle of any kind. Welcome to Ford's E-Transit Custom. The significance of this model is difficult to over-state. There are more Ford Transits - and particularly Ford Transit Customs - on the road than any other van. Imagine the environmental impact of a growing proportion of them switching away from smoky diesel power, a change which starts right here and now with this battery-powered LCV. Unlike the larger '2 tonne'-series E-Transit model that we tried and liked recently, this E-Transit Custom isn't Ford's own work but the product of a shared project with LCV partner Volkswagen. The fruit of which will also be mechanically identical EV version of the new generation Volkswagen Transporter. Ford also produces an E-Tourneo Custom passenger carrying MPV version of this model. But it's the E-Transit Custom panel van that's our focus here.

Driving Experienceword count: 219

The E-Transit Custom's 400-volt, 74kWh (useable) battery pack uses 82Ah pouch cells shared with the US-market Ford F-150 Lightning to deliver 12% more energy density than the battery pack in the larger E-Transit. The battery enables a targeted range of up to 236 miles - over four times the average one-tonne van driver's daily mileage, according to Ford Pro customer data. The battery's direct-to-body mounting improves durability and reduces weight for optimum range. Customers can choose between 136PS or 218PS electric motor power outputs to suit their needs, each offering a class-leading 415Nm of torque. The drive motor is fitted directly to the vehicle's rear floor, removing the need for a dedicated subframe, and is rotated 90 degrees to maximise load space and reduce weight and complexity. There's also a brake regeneration system that promises 'one pedal' driving so that you'll hardly ever need to use the brake when you come off the throttle. The powerful electric drivetrain delivers a class-leading towing capacity of up to 2,000kg, meaning this E-Transit Custom could replace diesel vehicles in roles that no other all-electric van can match. This Ford is also the first-ever electric vehicle to use (as standard) vapour-injected heat pump technology to heat and cool the cabin. It's a system designed to deliver improved energy efficiency for optimum driving range.

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