2024 Ford E-Transit: Quick review

Ford's foray into the electric scene has been quite unique in Australia. Rather than focusing on chasing segments like midsize SUVs like some of their other competitors (you know the matching two we're talking about), they've introduced an electric version of their popular Transit van.

Introducing an electric van is on paper a very clever offering as fuel economy is a great concern for commercial vehicle owners. A litre of fuel here of there for a private buyer could be multiplied by 150 for a business with a fleet of commercial vans, and in this sense every dollar counts.

So theoretically, the E-Transit should be the choice for all fleets in Australia. But theory can be put aside when we have a glance at the asking price.

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Pricing and features

The Ford E-Transit is available in Australia in two options: a 'mid-roof' or 'high-roof' body options.

In 2024, Ford is pricing the standard mid-roof van at $104,990 excluding on-road costs, while opting for the 'high-roof' adds $1500, bringing the total asking price to $106,490– again, before on-roads.

Options include prestige paint, special vehicle option paint, dual side load doors and a single front passenger seat in lieu of dual front seats.

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To distinguish an E-Transit from a standard Transit, look for a front grille accented with blue highlights and a front-facing charging port, as well as E-Transit badging located on the rear left barn door.

Both E-Transit options use a 198kW/430Nm electric motor mounted on the rear subframe, utilising a 68kWh lithium-ion battery housed within the load floor structure. The motor drives the rear wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission.

Ford also claims a DC fast-charging from 15% to 80% in about 34 minutes.

Claimed WLTP driving range for mid-roof examples is 307km, which is only slightly reduced to 295km for the high-roof variant.

There's plenty of in-cabin storage with hidden bins under the front seat, large in-door bottle holders and in the console, open storage and cubbies throughout and even overhead storage compartments.

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Safety

The Ford E-Transit, along with the entire Transit range, does not currently hold a safety rating from ANCAP. It does however, have a host of safety features available.

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The E-Transit is backed by a 5-year/unlimited-kilometres Ford Express New Vehicle warranty. Moreover, the warranty for its electrical drivetrain and battery components extends up to 8 years or 160,000 kilometres, whichever comes first.

Key rivals

With most key rivals focusing on electrifying their passenger range, the only like-for-like competitor in Australia is the LDV eDeliver 9 long wheel base kicks off from $116,537 for mid-roof versions, with $2300 added for high-roof versions.

It offers 280km of range and a fast charge takes slightly longer at 45 minutes (from 20-80% capacity).

Electric versions of the Mercedes- Benz Sprinter and Renault Master are only around the corner which should help boost some energy (literally) in this segment.

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Should I put it on my shortlist?

Ford's E-Transit presents an appealing option for fleets willing to invest, boasting enhanced refinement that sets it apart from traditional diesel models.

However, the significant price difference between the E-Transit and its diesel counterparts may deter private Australian buyers.

While the E-Transit offers promising features, its pricing approach risks relegating it to a niche market segment, overshadowing its potential as a competitive offering in Ford's lineup.