Azure Transit Connect Electric

Azure Dynamics/Ford Transit Connect Electric
Overview
Manufacturer Azure Dynamics (of record)
and Ford Motor Company
Production 2010–2012
Body and chassis
Body style Van
Powertrain
Transmission fixed ratio of 8.28:1 [1]
Battery 28 kWh lithium-ion [1]
Range 56 mi (90 km) (EPA)
Dimensions
Curb weight 1791 kg [1]

The Azure Dynamics Transit Connect Electric is an all-electric van developed as a collaboration between Azure Dynamics and Ford Motor Company, but Azure was the official manufacturer of record.[2] Due to financial difficulties, production of the electric van was stopped in March 2012, as the company filed for bankruptcy protection in the Supreme Court of British Columbia.[3][4]

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 kWh/100 mi.[5]

Production

Production began in December 2010, and full capacity was expected to be reached in April 2011 to produce between 600 to 700 units a year.[6][7] The Transit Connect Electric was 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 partnered with Johnson Controls-Saft to produce the lithium-ion battery pack used in the Transit Connect Electric.[6] The vehicle was badged with both the Ford Blue Oval and Azure's Force Drive logos, with Azure Dynamics being the manufacturer of record.[2][8] The company expected to produce between 600-1000 Transit Connect Electric vehicles during 2011, and planned to double that in 2012.[6][9][10]

Transit Connect Electric frontal view
Transit Connect Electric rear view

Specifications

According to Ford and Azure, the Transit Connect Electric has an all-electric range of up to 80 mi (130 km),[6][7] but the official US Environmental Protection Agency range is 56 mi (90 km).[5] The electric van has a speed up to 75 mph (121 km/h).[6][7]

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.[5]

Markets and sales

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 was priced at 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 are discounted.[6][7][11]

The Transit Connect Electric was targeted towards the commercial fleet market and other "LEAD" customers included: Johnson Controls,[12] Toronto Atmospheric Fund (FleetWise EV300 Program),[13] Xcel Energy.,[14] and DHL.[15] 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.[1] A test fleet of 14 was exported to the United Kingdom for the government's Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator program.[7] As of October 2011 global sales reached 460 units since its introduction in December 2010.[16] Around 500 units were sold before Azure stopped production in March 2012.[17]

Passenger version

In November 2011 Ford and Azure announced the introduction of a passenger wagon version of the Transit Connect Electric. The passenger version would 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 129 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).[18]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ford Transit Connect Electric.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Norwegian Post Becomes First Customer for Ford Transit Connect Electric
  2. 1 2 Matthew Dolan (2010-09-24). "Ford Works with Manufacturer for New Electric Van". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  3. ↑ Sebastian Blanco (2012-03-28). "Azure halts Ford Transit Connect Electric production, Ford still confident in EV program". Autoblog Green. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  4. ↑ Danny King (2012-03-28). "Azure Dynamics files for protection, cancels share offering". Autoblog Green. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
  5. 1 2 3 EPA. "2011–12 Electric Vehicles: Trucks". US Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nick Bunkley (2010-12-07). "Ford Starts to Ship an Electric Delivery Van". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ford and Azure Dynamics Mark Production and Delivery of First Transit Connect Electrics". Ford Motor Company Press Release. 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
  8. ↑ Ford, Azure Dynamics will expand Transit Connect Electric to Europe in 2011
  9. ↑ Ford Slowly Starts Down Electric Path With EV Van
  10. ↑ Azure Dynamics looks to expand in medium trucks
  11. ↑ 2010 Ford Transit Connect Officially First Ford Electric Vehicle
  12. ↑ Johnson Controls Inc. Joins Ford Transit Connect Electric Lead Customer Program with 20 unit order
  13. ↑ Azure Dynamics and Ford of Canada Name FleetWise EV300 As Transit Connect Electric LEAD Customer
  14. ↑ Azure Dynamics taps Xcel Energy for elite Lead Customer program
  15. ↑ Azure Dynamics Technology to Support DHL’s All ‘Green’ Fleet in Manhattan
  16. ↑ Azure Dynamics Corporation (2011-10-25). "Azure Dynamics Announces 21 Transit Connect Electric Sales". PR Newswire. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
  17. ↑ John Voelcker (2012-10-17). "Nissan e-NV200: Driving Nissan's Prototype Electric Minivan". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
  18. ↑ "Ford and Azure Dynamics introduce Transit Connect Electric passenger wagon". Green Car Congress. 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
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