Ford plans to introduce, for European customers, five full electric or hybrid vehicles across its light commercial vehicle, C and CD and ranges, by 2013.

The Transit Connect Electric is the first of these five vehicles to be introduced in Europe. A zero-emission, pure electric-powered version of the award-winning Transit Connect light commercial vehicle, it will go on sale in North America later this year and is due to become available in Europe during 2011.

The Electric derivative is based on a long wheelbase version of the successful Transit Connect, which was launched in 2003 in Europe and was introduced to the US in 2010.

Transit Connect Electric builds on Ford’s relationship with its electric vehicles partner, Azure Dynamics, as well as their shared experience with battery supplier, Johnson Controls-Saft.

The Transit Connect Electric is built on Ford’s global commercial vehicle platform as part of the company’s ONE Ford global product vision. It is the first of five electrified vehicles from Ford that will become available in Europe by 2013:

- Transit Connect battery electric van in 201
- Ford Focus battery electric passenger car in 2012
- Ford C-MAX-based Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) in 2013
- One further HEV vehicle to be confirmed for 2013.

Ford’s relationship with Michigan-based Azure Dynamics is already well established in North America and is now extending to Europe.

Ford will make the shells of the Transit Connect Electric vans at a factory in Kocaeli, Turkey, while the electric drivetrain will be assembled by Azure Dynamics Corp. of Oak Park, Mich. Shells will be shipped to a factory hired by Azure for final assembly.

The completed Ford Transit Connect Electric will then be sold by Azure Dynamics, who will define a specially-created network of dealerships. Repair works under the Ford warranty will be provided by Ford dealers. They will be offered in both right- and left-hand drive configurations. Further details of market availability and pricing will be announced closer to launch.

Azure is making the battery-electric system for the Transit Connect in the U.S. and Europe, which is to be ready for U.S. distribution late this year.

The Ford Transit Connect Electric is built on a dedicated global commercial van platform and offers a unique combination of car-like driving dynamics, significant cargo capacity, accessibility and low purchase and operating costs. It is already a proven success and an ideal choice for electrification.

The Transit Connect Electric will offer European fleet owners the opportunity to eliminate the use of diesel or petrol fuel in their small vans and help to lower operating costs.  The vehicle will have a targeted range of up to 130 km/80 miles on a full charge and zero exhaust emissions.  It will be rechargeable using standard European 220/240-volt outlets within 6 to 8 hours.

Azure’s Force Drive™ components have previously been deployed in more than 40 vehicle integrations and have more than 25 million miles of on-the-road experience.  The European Transit Connect Electric will be badged with both the Ford Blue Oval and Azure’s Force Drive logo like its North American sibling.

In North America, Azure develops hybrid electric and electric drive technology for shuttle buses and commercial trucks, such as the Balance™ Hybrid Electric, which is built on a Ford E-450 ‘cutaway and strip’ chassis for the medium duty commercial vehicle segment.

2011 Transit Connect Electric van will reach a top speed of 75 miles per hour and offers a range of up to 80 miles on a full charge.

Ford’s Transit Connect Electric will be upfitted to an all-electric model by Azure Dynamics, which will install its electric propulsion system driving the front wheels through BorgWarner’s eGearDrive single-speed transmission.

Adapted in collaboration with Azure Dynamics, the eGearDrive transmission delivers high torque capacity, high efficiency, and low noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) in a compact package.

BorgWarner’s eGearDrive transmission incorporates patented and proprietary technology as well as over 100 years of powertrain know-how.

The BorgWarner eGearDrive transmission contributes to extended battery-powered driving range which in turn reduces the required amount of battery capacity needed. The transmission also achieves high torque capacity in a compact package with greater than 97% efficiency, while providing smooth, quiet operation. Approximately 99% of the materials used in the eGearDrive transmission are recyclable.

The Ford Transit Connect Electric is powered by Azure Dynamics’ Force Drive electric drivetrain with a lithium-ion battery pack from Johnson Controls-Saft.

The vehicle, which goes on sale later this year, has a range of up to 80 miles on a single charge and will be rechargeable using either 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlets. It has a top speed of 75 miles per hour.

“Cleaner, alternative-fuel vehicles are the future of our corporate fleet, and the Transit Connect Electric represents a real breakthrough and will be a strong addition to our range of alternative-fuel vehicles,” said Jerome Webber, vice president of fleet operations at AT&T. “It’s exactly the kind of vehicle we envisioned when we mapped our long-term vision to invest up to $565 million to deploy more than 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles through 2018.” AT&T currently operates more than 77,000 vehicles in its corporate fleet, including 15 gasoline-powered Ford Transit Connect vehicles AT&T began piloting in 2009.

Scott T. Harrison, CEO of Azure Dynamics, said Transit Connect Electric project is in line with his company’s mission.