| Manufacturer | Azure Dynamics (of record) and Ford Motor Company |
|---|---|
| Production | 2010–present |
| Body style | Van |
| Range | 56 mi (90 km) (EPA) |
The Azure Transit Connect Electric is an all-electric van developed as a collaboration between Azure Dynamics and Ford Motor Company, but Azure is the official manufacturer of record.[1] The official US Environmental Protection Agency all-electric range is 56 mi (90 km) and has a combined city/highway fuel economy of 62 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (3.8 L/100 km equivalent) based on the five-cycle tests using varying driving conditions and climate controls, with the same 62 mpg-e rating for both city and highway. The energy consumption for combined city/highway was rated at 54 kW·h/100 mi.[2]
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Production began in December 2010, and will reach full capacity in April 2011 to produce between 600 to 700 units a year.[3][4] The Transit Connect Electric is produced using a vehicle glider at a Ford Motor Company facility in Kocaeli, Turkey and then shipped to Azure Dynamics U.S. upfitter, AM General in Livonia, Michigan, where the Force Drive™ electric drive train and other components are added to the vehicle. Azure Dynamics has partnered with Johnson Controls-Saft to produce the lithium-ion battery pack used in the Transit Connect Electric.[3] The vehicle is badged with both the Ford Blue Oval and Azure's Force Drive logos, with Azure Dynamics being the manufacturer of record.[1][5] The company expects to produce between 600-1000 Transit Connect Electric vehicles during 2011, and plans to double that in 2012.[6][3][7]
According to Ford and Azure, the Transit Connect Electric has an all-electric range of up to 80 mi (130 km),[3][4] but the official US Environmental Protection Agency range is 56 mi (90 km).[2] The electric van has a speed up to75 mph (121 km/h).[3][4]
The EPA rated the combined city/highway fuel economy at 62 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (3.8 L/100 km equivalent) based on the five-cycle tests using varying driving conditions and climate controls, with the same 62 mpg-e rating for both city and highway. The energy consumption for combined city/highway was rated at 54 kW·h/100 mi.[2]
The first units were delivered to a select group through Azure's "LEAD Customer Program" in the U.S and Canada in December 2010, among the first customers were AT&T, Canada Post, the New York Power Authority and Southern California Edison. The Transit Connect Electric costs US$57,400, which more than doubles the price of the gas-powered version even after federal and any state or local incentives for electric vehicles is discounted.[3][4][8]
The Transit Connect Electric is targeted towards the commercial fleet market other current LEAD customers include:Johnson Controls,[9] Toronto Atmospheric Fund (FleetWise EV300 Program),[10], Xcel Energy.[11], and DHL[12]. On March 22, 2011, Ford Motor Company and Azure Dynamics Corporation announced its first European customer order of 20 Transit Connect Electric vehicles by the Norwegian Post[13]. A test fleet of 14 will be exported to the United Kingdom for the government's Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator program.[4] As of October 2011 global sales reached 460 units since its introduction in December 2010.[14]
In November 2011 Ford and Azure announced the introduction of a passenger wagon version of the Transit Connect Electric. The passenger version will have a liquid-cooled 28 kWh lithium-ion battery from Johnson Controls, that is expected to deliver a range of 55 to 80 mi (89 to 130 km) on a single charge depending on driving conditions and accessory use. The wagon version has a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h).[15]