√2024 Ford E-Transit Courier van unveiled as preview of Puma electric SUV

Ford’s smallest commercial van in Europe – one size below the VW Caddy and Renault Kangoo city vans sold in Australia – is being replaced with a new model, sharing its architecture with the forthcoming Puma electric SUV.

The 2024 Ford Transit Courier has been unveiled in Europe – a city-sized commercial van with an electric verson twinned under the skin with the forthcoming electric Puma SUV.

The Transit Courier is Ford’s smallest van in Europe, sitting one size class below the smallest vans sold in Australia, such as the Volkswagen Caddy, Peugeot Partner and Renault Kangoo.

While driving range has yet to be announced, the electric variant – known as the E-Transit Courier – will come with an electric motor sending 100kW to the front wheels, providing a glimpse of what to expect from the electric Puma.

Both the E-Transit Courier and electric Puma will be built at a Ford factory in Romania, though the commercial vehicle won’t enter production until “later in 2024”, the company says.

MORE: Ford to launch seven electric vehicles by 2025, including Puma EV and sports SUV

However, European buyers will be able to order a Transit Courier with either a 1.0-litre petrol or 1.5-litre diesel engine, with deliveries to begin before the end of 2023.

Those who opt for the electric Courier van can expect to be able to charge at home with an 11kW AC charger in an estimated 5.7 hours. When using a 100kW fast-charger, Ford estimates about 87 kilometres of range to be added in 10 minutes.

With a cargo volume some 25 per cent greater than the outgoing Fiesta city hatch-based van, Ford says the new Courier can carry two Euro pallets and a payload of up to 700kg for the electric model.

MORE: New Ford E-Transit electric van delayed to early 2023

Inside is a 12-inch digital instrument cluster matched with a 12-inch infotainment touchscreen running Ford’s ‘Sync 4’ operating system, while an ‘Office Pack’ provides a foldaway flat work surface and lighting for those who need to fill in paperwork or use a laptop.

Ford’s local arm has been approached for comment, but it’s unlikely the E-Transit Courier or its petrol/diesel-powered variants will be offered in Australia in the near term.

However, the Blue Oval will likely be watching local sales of the Peugeot e-Partner and the Renault Kangoo E-Tech electric vans to gauge demand for compact battery-powered commercial vehicles in Australia.

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