move over tesla! why mercedes-benz and ford are winning the new electric car race
The E-Transit Custom is confirmed for Australia and it will compete with the Mercedes-Benz eVito.

Ford is counting on its commercial vans – the incoming E-Transit and E-Transit Custom – to lead its electric charge, but the Blue Oval is set to be beaten to market by the three-pointed star.

Ford originally announced the introduction of the E-Transit in October 2021 and indicated it would be on sale by the middle of 2022. With that timeframe having come and gone, the company has confirmed the E-Transit has been delayed until a 2023 launch, likely in the first half of the year.

Only a few weeks after Ford confirmed its plans for an electric van, Mercedes-Benz announced it would offer not one but a trio of battery-powered load luggers beginning in 2022. The German brand will offer the eVito commercial van as well as the eVito Tourer and EQV people movers, with plans to add the eSprinter in 2024.

While neither are in the country just yet, Mercedes has opened the order books for its electric vans and has indicated customers will be taking delivery before the calendar turns to 2023.

Ford, though, has delayed the E-Transit into next year without any specific launch date. The brand is perhaps hesitant to lock in a launch date given further delays are possible as the global supply chain crisis continues to impact not only Ford, but most major carmakers.

However, not deterred by the delays for the E-Transit, Ford Australia has recently confirmed the introduction of the E-Transit Custom, the smaller commercial van that will compete directly with the eVito, while the E-Transit and eSprinter square-off.

Of course, neither will be the first electric commercial vehicle available in Australia, with the Renault Kangoo ZE taking those honours, but the Mercedes and Ford models are bigger and compete in bigger-volume segments.

The specifications for the E-Transit remain unchanged, with the big van powered by a 68kWh battery that provides it with a driving range of 317km (on the WLTP test cycle).

Power for the E-Transit comes from a 190kW/430Nm electric motor that sends all of its performance to the rear-wheels. Crucially the batteries are mounted under the floor so cargo capacity is unchanged.

The smaller E-Transit Custom gets a unique powertrain that makes 160kW/415Nm and boasts a range of 380km.

move over tesla! why mercedes-benz and ford are winning the new electric car race
Mercedes-Benz announced it would be offering three electric vans.

While most of the attention in the electric vehicle market is focused on the rush of new SUVs and sedans – such as the Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2 and Kia EV6 – the commercial vehicle market is seen as a key new battleground for carmakers.

While the E-Transit’s 317km range may not look like much on paper, Ford claims that’s more than double the distance the average commercial van travels on any given day.

The increased charging capacity also helps make these vans appealing, with Ford claiming the E-Transit can go from 15 to 80 per cent charged in just 34 minutes, or take eight hours using its 11.3kW on-board charger.

Ford Australia already sees the internal combustion Transit and Transit Custom as a key part of its plans for growing its sales beyond the Ranger and Everest. Local boss Andrew Birkic told CarsGuide recently that demand for the big van remains high but supply is constrained out of its European plant.

The hope is by expanding the Transit range to include the electric version that demand will only grow, but it will have to play catch-up to Mercedes if it wants to become the market leader.

Keyword: Move over Tesla! Why Mercedes-Benz and Ford are winning the new electric car race

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

GM CEO is ‘disappointed’ in EV production, says affordable models will drive adoption

General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Barra said she is disappointed in EV production this year due to constraints. Meanwhile, GM’s leader believes new, affordable EVs like the Equinox and Bolt will help drive adoption. After announcing a historic $10 billion buyback plan, GM’s stock is soaring on Wednesday. The ...

View more: GM CEO is ‘disappointed’ in EV production, says affordable models will drive adoption

Non-Tesla EV Supercharging Goes Full-Scale In China

It now includes over 350 Supercharging stations and attracts additional brands like Polestar.

View more: Non-Tesla EV Supercharging Goes Full-Scale In China

You Can't Order A Tesla Cybertruck Now Even If You Want To

Screenshot: Tesla The Tesla Cybertruck is finally going into production. Sort of. Tesla plans to hold a launch event on Thursday and hand over 10 Cybertrucks to an unknown group of customers. If you heard the production news and decided it was finally time to place your order, though, ...

View more: You Can't Order A Tesla Cybertruck Now Even If You Want To

The Ford Mustang GT350R Is As Special As Modern Ponies Get

Mixing an exotic flat-plane soundtrack with muscle car grunt shouldn't work as well as it does.

View more: The Ford Mustang GT350R Is As Special As Modern Ponies Get

Nearly 400 Dealers Drop Out Of Ford’s EV Program

Image: Eric Thayer (Getty Images) Ford’s EV dealer requirements have caused a bit of drama since they were announced in late 2022. With EV sales slowing, some dealers are getting antsy at the thought of sinking thousands or even millions of dollars into a lukewarm EV market. Still, 2,000 ...

View more: Nearly 400 Dealers Drop Out Of Ford’s EV Program

Tesla Cybertruck has 290 miles (466 km) of range in review unit

Tesla Cybertruck has been spotted with about 290 miles (426 km) of range in a review unit ahead of the delivery event tomorrow. The automaker famously doesn’t work with media in the US since disbanding its PR department back in 2020. Today, there’s only a handful of publications and ...

View more: Tesla Cybertruck has 290 miles (466 km) of range in review unit

Here's What To Know About The Tesla Cybertruck Before It Debuts Tomorrow

After years of waiting, the Cybertruck is finally ready for customers. Here's what to expect from it.

View more: Here's What To Know About The Tesla Cybertruck Before It Debuts Tomorrow

You Can't Reserve A Tesla Cybertruck

At least not right now.

View more: You Can't Reserve A Tesla Cybertruck

Mercedes-AMG A45 S hatch 4Matic+ (2023) Review

First drive in the new Ford Puma in South Africa

Mercedes Formula 1 Driver Calls For Shorter Schedules, More Humane Working Conditions

Tesla Cybertruck ‘Basecamp’ tent, solar, and beast mode, leak through app

Taiwanese Tesla supplier Hota retools supply chain with first US factory

BMW i7 M70 First Drive Review: The Big Boss

Pricing revealed for new Mercedes-AMG GT63 S E Performance – The most expensive AMG in South Africa

Tesla Cybertruck’s ‘Beast Mode’, Trim Details Uncovered By Software Developer

Mercedes F1 team member’s lost wedding ring found by diver in Abu Dhabi marina

McLaren prise Monster Energy F1 deal away from Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes have found 'North Star' but 'not going to hold my breath' over F1 2024 turnaround

Mercedes-Benz Unveils Pricing for Upgraded AMG GT63 SE Performance

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel