Browse over 9,000 car reviews

Ford Australia confirms 2022 E-Transit van as first EV but rules out Mustang Mach-E as new Tesla Model Y rival

The E-Transit will beat other large electric vans like the Volkswagen e-Crafter to market.

Ford Australia today confirmed that its electrification strategy includes plans to launch at least five electrified models by the end of 2024, but the Mustang Mach-E is unlikely to be one of them.

The rollout kicks off in quarter two next year with the launch of the twice-delayed Escape PHEV mid-size SUV, but Ford’s first fully electric vehicle is now confirmed to be the E-Transit large cargo van, which arrives in mid-2022.

Ford refused to provide any details on the other models that will make up the five electrified offerings by 2025, but the roadmap includes electrified versions of existing Ford nameplates, as well as new models.

Ford Australia and New Zealand president and CEO Andrew Birkic said the local prospects for the Mustang Mach-E were not good due to hot global demand, even though it is built for right-hand-drive markets.

“Mach-E is an incredible product, and we’re thrilled to have it in Ford global line-up. What we do know is that basically it is sold out. That’s the position that we are currently in and the vehicle will not be available in Australia,” he said.

Mr Birkic said that his team would continue to “investigate options with our global colleagues”, adding that supply, a viable business case and customer demand are key factors in adding new EVs to the line-up.

Ford said in a press release that the five electrified vehicles will be made up “largely of battery electric vehicles”, but plug-in hybrids would also play a role.

When asked if that number could include ‘self-charging’ hybrids or mild hybrids as well, Mr Birkic said that was still to be announced.

“We haven’t been clear on that. We will disclose that at the appropriate time. But certainly, we remain open to all different types of powertrains and technologies.”

The Ford E-Transit has a driving range of 317km. The Ford E-Transit has a driving range of 317km.

With the Mustang Mach-E all but ruled out of the initial rollout, other electrified models beyond the Escape PHEV and E-Transit are expected to include PHEV versions of the Ranger ute and related Everest SUV that will launch next year.

Another electrified model that could be considered for Australia is the PHEV version of the Transit Custom. It sits under the large Transit van and is already available in the UK and New Zealand.

Mr Birkic would not be drawn on its prospects, but he highlighted the importance of Australia’s van market and added that the models in the roadmap would come from the commercial and private segments.

Ford offers a 48-volt mild hybrid version of the Puma small SUV in Europe and the UK, which could be a competitor for the Mazda MX-30 and Toyota C-HR if it’s offered here.

Ford’s deal with Volkswagen to use its MEB electric platform to build a new Ford-badged small SUV in 2023 could also come into play, if it’s offered outside Europe.

The E-Transit will hit Ford showrooms in mid-2022, and it will be the first fully electric large van available in Australia. Currently, the only electric van sold in Australia is Renault’s much smaller Kangoo.

There are electric versions of large delivery vans overseas, notably the Volkswagen e-Crafter, Mercedes-Benz eSprinter and the Renault Master ZE, but Ford will be the first to market in the segment.

Ford will announce full specification and pricing closer to launch, but expect it to carry a premium over similarly sized diesel-powered Transits, meaning it should retail from more than $60,000.

The E-Transit has a 68kWh battery and an electric driving range of 317km (WLTP). Ford says that figure is more than two-and-a-half times the average distance a commercial van travels every day.

The motor pumps out 190kW/430Nm, making it the most powerful Transit available in Australia.

Built in Turkey, the rear-wheel-drive E-Transit has three drive modes, including an Eco mode, regenerative braking and pre-conditioning which allows the climate control system to adjust the cabin temperature while the vehicle is still charging.

An 11.3 kW on-board charger delivers a full charge in just over eight hours, and using a DC fast charger will top up the battery from 15 to 80 per cent in about 34 minutes.

Positioning the battery pack under the load floor means cargo capacity has not been sacrificed.

The E-Transit will be the first Ford model in Australia offered with SYNC4. The E-Transit will be the first Ford model in Australia offered with SYNC4.

The E-Transit will be the first model in the Australian line-up to be offered with Ford’s latest SYNC4 multimedia system, housed in a 12-inch tablet screen. It has better Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, multiple phone pairing, double the computing power of SYNC3, machine learning capability and a digital owner’s manual.

The EV roadmap is part of Ford’s massive US$30 billion global investment of electrification by 2025 and it has committed to carbon neutrality by 2050.

Ford’s Australian operations will also be more environmentally friendly, with the charging stations set to be rolled out at its facilities in Campbellfield, the YouYangs Proving Ground, and the new logistics hub at Merrifield in Melbourne’s outer north.

Ford is partnering with Jet Charge to prepare its dealer network with charging facilities.