Ford E-Transit Custom Van Review

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…the all-electric version of the Ford Transit Custom, denoted by the fact it’s properly called the E-Transit Custom. Offered in a range of lengths and heights, the electric Custom has a load space of between 5.8 and 6.8 cubic metres, a gross payload of 1,088kg and a range of up to 204 miles.

The E-Transit Custom is available in four trim levels:

Trend
Limited
Trail
Sport

Standard equipment on the Trend includes a 13-inch infotainment screen, climate control, 16-inch steel wheels, front parking sensors, reversing camera and a locking glove box.

Limited adds LED load space lighting, heated driver’s seat, heated passenger seats, wireless phone charging, keyless entry and start and LED headlights.

Trial adds all-wheel drive, 17-inch alloys, powerfold and heated door mirrors and full-height load space trim.

Sport adds dual zone climate control, powered driver’s seat and sports body kit.

Is The Ford E-Transit Custom Suitable For My Fleet

Fleets will want to get the ‘range’ issue out of the way early. If you need to go further than 150 miles on a regular basis the E-Transit Custom isn’t for you, particularly if that distance is on the motorway. Higher speeds are not kind to the Custom’s efficiency.

However, if you’re sticking to local routes and have either home or office-based charging, then the fuel saving may well balance out the higher initial price.

After that, you’re dealing with a Transit, so it’s entirely suitably for business.

Leasing A Ford E-Transit Custom

Gateway2Lease is offering the Ford E-Transit Custom 320L1 Sport for £514 a month on a 3+36 contract with 10,000 miles a year.

Driving A Ford E-Transit Custom

For anyone used to either the previous generation Custom, or the ICE version of the current Custom, the driving position in the electric van is fractionally different thanks to a more car-like seating and pedal position. This is neither good or bad, but for a vehicle so ingrained in fleet life, it’s worth noting; some may prefer it, others may not.

While much of the main van is similar or identical to the ICE or PHEV Custom variants, the big difference is the way the electric van drives because it’s rear, rather than front, drive. The hike in torque, or shove, also helps with the experience. Both the shove and rear drive mean the electric Custom feels significantly quicker than the those powered by petrol or diesel.

While the E-Transit isn’t what you’d call rapid, it is nippy, particularly off the line – and all without much noise.

The downside to the power is that you’re tempted to use it.

We found that if you’re cautious and used eco mode you could easily average 3.6 miles per kWh. Which, with the 64kWh battery would give a range of 230 miles. However, if you’re sat on the motorway at 70mph, the efficiency was closer to 2.7m/kWh (in warm weather). This efficiency figure would mean a 172 mile range. Over a week of mixed driving we saw 3.2 m/kWh, so that’s 205 miles of range.

FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The Ford E-Transit Custom

Great if you have easy, low-cost charging and never need to do long motorway journeys.