Ford and Azure Dynamics Introduce Transit Connect Electric Wagon

DEARBORN, MI – Ford Motor Co. and Azure Dynamics Corp. have introduced the Ford Transit Connect Electric Wagon. The companies first introduced an electrified Transit Connect cargo van in December 2010.

The Ford Transit Connect Electric Wagon is designed for businesses that want the flexibility to move either cargo or passengers with the efficiencies offered by the electric powertrain, the companies said. The vehicle is especially well suited for campus settings like those found at universities, military bases, health care facilities, airports and private businesses where frequent short-range routes are commonly traveled.
 
“With the addition of the new Transit Connect Electric Wagon, we expand our product portfolio and offer our commercial customers more versatility to meet their transportation needs with fully electric operation,” said Scott Harrison, CEO of Azure Dynamics. “As a derivative of our successful Transit Connect Electric cargo van, the wagon shares a common electric drive integration and glider helping to keep additional development cost low.”
 
Like its cargo van sibling, the Transit Connect Electric Wagon qualifies for the $7,500 federal incentive in the U.S. In addition to federal incentives, fleet owners in California can receive an additional $15,000 incentive from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for the first Transit Connect Electric van or wagon purchased for deployment in California. Subsequent purchases of Transit Connect Electric vans or wagons will qualify for an incentive of up to $12,000, with a maximum of 100 vans per customer.
 
“The Transit Connect Electric wagon, with its added passenger seating, opens the doors for even more businesses to green their fleets and experience 100 percent electric and zero-emissions driving,” said Nancy Gioia, director of global electrification for Ford.
 
Since its introduction in December 2010, more than 450 Transit Connect Electric vans have been purchased by commercial vehicle fleets, including those operated by AT&T, Canada Post, DHL, FedEx Express, and Post Norway. 

To create the Transit Connect Electric Wagon, Azure integrates its Force Drive electric powertrain into the Ford Transit Connect XLT Premium Wagon.

Using an advanced liquid-cooled 28 kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls, Transit Connect Electric Wagon can achieve a range of 55 to 80 miles on a single charge, depending on driving conditions and ancillary power usage. The wagon has a top speed of 75 mph.
 
Wagon owners will have the option of recharging Transit Connect Electric with either a standard 120-volt outlet or a 240-volt charging station that’s typically installed at the user’s base of operations for optimal recharging in six to eight hours. The vehicle’s charge port is located above the passenger-side rear wheel well in the spot typically used for conventional refueling.
 
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