√New Ford E-Transit electric van delayed to early 2023

First Australian deliveries of the Ford E-Transit van have been pushed back to early next year – from an expected arrival in the second half of 2022 – amid production slowdowns in Europe.

Ford Australia’s first electric vehicle – the 2023 Ford E-Transit electric van – is now not due in showrooms until early next year, about nine months later than anticipated.

Initially due in Ford showrooms in mid-2022, the Turkish-built E-Transit is now slated to reach showrooms in early 2023 – “from January”, according to Ford’s website – about nine months later than first planned.

Pricing and final details are yet to be confirmed for Australia, however Ford Australia has previously indicated the new electric van will be offered in rear-wheel-drive, long-wheelbase 420L form.

In the UK, E-Transit variants cost about 15 per cent more than equivalent diesel automatic variants.

MORE: Ford E-Transit confirmed for Australia as brand’s first electric car

A conservative estimate suggests the E-Transit may be priced between $64,000 to $70,000 plus on-road costs in Australia, compared to $56,590 plus on-road costs for an equivalent diesel variant, a rear-wheel-drive Transit 350L auto.

The E-Transit will be Ford Australia’s first full battery-electric vehicle, as one of at least five hybrid or electric cars due in showrooms by the end of 2024.

This has been confirmed to include the Escape Plug-in Hybrid mid-size SUV, on sale now, and the smaller E-Transit Custom electric van due in 2024. The much-anticipated Mustang Mach-E SUV has not been confirmed for Australia.

Powering the E-Transit in Australia will be a 198kW/430Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels, coupled with a 68kWh (usable) battery placed in the van’s floor.

Ford quotes up to 317km of driving range according to European WLTP testing. DC fast charging allows for a 15 to 80 per cent charge in 34 minutes, at a rate of up to 115kW.

Mid-roof and high-roof variants will be available in Australia, offering 11.3 and 12.4 cubic metres of cargo capacity respectively – identical to an equivalent Transit 350L RWD diesel. Gross vehicle mass and payload are rated at 4.2 tonnes and 1616kg respectively.

Standard features are yet to be confirmed for Australia, however Ford has indicated a 12.0-inch Sync 4 touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite navigation, over-the-air updates, and support for a smartphone companion app.

The 2023 Ford E-Transit is due in Australian showrooms from January next year. Stay tuned to Drive for more details as the launch date approaches.

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