New Ford E-Transit Courier small electric van should have a range of around 200 miles, yet can carry two Euro Pallets in its load bay – here's everything you need to know, including the price, sp...
On sale: late 2024 | Price from: £28,000 (est, excl. VAT)
The new Ford E-Transit Courier is as big a deal in the van world as news of a new Avengers film is to Marvel fans. It’s a big name, with a big job to do.
In this case, the E-Transit Courier packages all of the electric van goodness that we liked in the larger Ford E-Transit – our reigning Van of the Year, let’s not forget – into a far smaller package. Aimed at tradespeople working in the city, or delivery drivers working for big companies named after rainforests, the E-Transit Courier is a small electric van that rivals the likes of the LEVC VN5, Nissan Townstar EV and Renault Kangoo E-Tech.
Power for the E-Transit Courier comes from a single 134bhp electric motor, and while Ford has yet to specify the battery size, we’d expect a range of around 200 miles to be achievable. Ford has confirmed that the battery can be charged to full in slightly less than six hours, if you use an 11kW charging point.
For faster charging while out and about, the E-Transit Courier can handle rates of up to 100kW, meaning a 10-80% top-up can take as little as 35 minutes if you use a charging point capable of providing sufficient power.
Despite needing to carry around a heavy battery, the E-Transit Courier has 26% more load volume inside than the outgoing Transit Courier – enough to allow it to carry two Euro pallets. Part of that increase comes from efficient packaging, but the E-Transit Courier also has a longer wheelbase (the gap between its front and rear wheels) than before. Being able to carry loads comparable with the class above is one reason why we liked the outgoing Transit Courier for much of its life; indeed, it’s our reigning champion in the compact van market.
Total cargo volume for the E-Transit Courier is 2.9m3, with a maximum payload of 700kg and a maximum towing weight of 750kg. A load-through bulkhead allows drivers to carry longer items inside the van.
Speaking of the interior, the E-Transit Courier features a 12.0in digital instrument cluster and 12.0in infotainment screen, running the latest version of Ford’s Sync operating system. In recent cars from the brand, we’ve been impressed with the system’s fast responses, but it’s a shame that you have to use the touchscreen to do simple things like changing the temperature. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring is included as standard, and there’s a wireless charging pad on the centre console to keep your device topped up.
Updates can be made to the E-Transit Courier wirelessly, meaning no visits to the dealer to receive the latest software. Available driver assistance features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and a blindspot warning system.
For drivers who want to travel farther afield or who can’t charge up, conventional combustion engines will be offered in the regular Transit Courier, which will arrive in dealerships later this year. Those engine options will be the same 1.0-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel offered on the current van – of those, it’s the most powerful 98bhp diesel which is our preferred choice.
Like its rivals, the E-Transit Courier will be eligible for the Government’s plug-in grant for small electric vans, currently worth £2500. That means a starting price of around £28,000, excluding VAT, and means it would just undercut the Renault Kangoo E-Tech on price.
The Transit Courier and E-Transit Courier will morph into passenger-carrying MPVs, too, becoming the new Ford Tourneo Courier and E-Tourneo Courier respectively. Sales of that model are expected to begin later in 2024.
Meanwhile, the slightly larger Ford Transit Connect is due to be replaced next year. That model will compete in the same space as the E-Transit Courier and is expected to offer electric power, but it will be the only choice among Ford’s line-up for drivers looking for a double-cab small electric van.
Keyword: 2024 Ford E-Transit Courier electric van revealed