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Ford's global electric vehicles plan is
benefitting from participation in the UK Government's "Ultra-Low Carbon
Vehicle Demonstrator" programme. |
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Ford's European electrification programme
announced in March sees the introduction of two zero-emission full
battery-electric vehicles, including the Transit Connect Electric light
commercial vehicle in 2011, followed by the next generation Ford Focus
Electric in 2012. A hybrid and a plug-in hybrid derivative of the
all-new C-MAX, plus another hybrid-electric model will follow by 2013. |
As a result, Ford will deploy a
versatile people carrier version of the Transit Connect for the UK
demonstration programme, which is supported by Scottish and Southern
Energy. This will see a fleet of zero emissions vehicles used by both
the energy company and a number of drivers based in the London Borough
of Hillingdon.
A consortium of Ford, Scottish and
Southern Energy and the University of Strathclyde is providing
theTransit Connect Electric 5-passenger vehicles and a charging
infrastructure in and around Hillingdon during 2010 and 2011. By using
production-intent powertrains and batteries Ford has been able to
increase the demonstration fleet to 21 passenger vehicles from the
original plan of 15.
This programme will test vehicle and
infrastructure technology ahead of the Transit Connect Electric going on
sale in 2011.
London residents will be among the
first in Britain to experience Ford's zero emissions
technology. Experienced drivers will be selected to take part in the
programme and they will go through a rigorous familiarisation and
training programme to ensure that useful data can be produced under
safe, realistic operating conditions.
The Transit Connect Electric
demonstration fleet is being developed partly with public funding from
the UK Government's Technology Strategy Board (TSB), which promotes
innovative industry-led projects that reduce CO2 while
benefitting the country's transport system.
Joe Greenwell, Ford of Britain
chairman, said: "There is increasing interest among our customers for
electrified vehicles and we are responding by stepping up our efforts to
bring these models to the marketplace alongside our latest-generation,
fuel-efficient petrol and diesel powered models. Ford is looking
forward to working with its project partners on developing this market
for electric vehicles both in the UK and Europe."
The Ford Transit Connect
Electric
The Ford Transit Connect Electric is a
zero-emission, pure electric-powered version of the award-winning
Transit Connect light commercial vehicle. It goes on sale in North
America later this year and in Europe from 2011.
The Ford Transit Connect Electric
features a state-of-the-art lithium ion battery pack with a capacity of
28kWh and a chassis-mounted 55kW electric traction induction motor. It
will have a range of up to 80 miles and a top speed of up to 75mph.
Fully charging the batteries will take under 10 hours using a household
230 volt electricity supply.
Project managed in the UK
The demonstration programme is being
led by the company's UK research and development centre at Dunton in
Essex. Home to an engineering team of almost 3,000 vehicle specialists,
Dunton Technical Centre is responsible for developing powertrains for
all Ford vehicles in Europe, as well as every part of the company's
commercial vehicle range.
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Ford Transit Connect Electric
Technical Data |
| Battery
Technology |
Lithium ion |
| Battery Capacity |
28 kWh |
| Charging time |
Under 10 hours
(from a domestic 230 V socket) |
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| Electric motor |
AC induction
motor |
| Max Power |
55kW |
| Max Torque |
280 Nm |
| Top speed |
75mph |
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| Range |
80 miles |
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