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.[3] 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.[4][5]
Azure Dynamics/Ford Transit Connect Electric | |
---|---|
Overview | |
Manufacturer | Azure Dynamics (of record) and Ford Motor Company |
Production | December 2010 – March 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 | |
Wheelbase | 2,911 mm (114.6 in)[2] |
Curb weight | 1,791 kg (3,948 lb) [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 kWh/100 mi.[6]
Production
editProduction began in December 2010, and full capacity was expected to be reached in April 2011 to produce between 600 and 700 units a year.[7][8] 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.[7] The vehicle was badged with both the Ford Blue Oval and Azure's Force Drive logos, with Azure Dynamics being the manufacturer of record.[3][9] The company expected to produce between 600 and 1000 Transit Connect Electric vehicles during 2011, and planned to double that in 2012.[7][10][11]
Specifications
editAccording to Ford and Azure, the Transit Connect Electric has an all-electric range of up to 80 mi (130 km),[7][8] but the official US Environmental Protection Agency range is 56 mi (90 km).[6] The electric van has a speed up to 75 mph (121 km/h).[7][8]
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 54.4 kWh/100 mi.[6]
The three-phase AC induction motor is provided by Siemens, operating on a nominal 300 V; it has a rated peak output of 235 N⋅m (173 lbf⋅ft) and continuous output of 52 kW (70 hp) / 158 N⋅m (117 lbf⋅ft). The wheels are driven through a Borg-Warner reduction gearbox with an 8.28:1 ratio.[1] It draws from a battery with a nominal capacity of 28 kW-hr, composed of 16 modules divided into 192 cells in total. The onboard charger has a maximum rate of 3.3 kW.[1]
Markets and sales
editThe 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.[7][8][12]
The Transit Connect Electric was targeted towards the commercial fleet market and other "LEAD" customers included: Johnson Controls,[13] Toronto Atmospheric Fund (FleetWise EV300 Program),[14] Xcel Energy.,[15] and DHL.[16] 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.[8] As of October 2011 global sales reached 460 units since its introduction in December 2010.[17] Around 500 units were sold before Azure stopped production in March 2012.[18]
Passenger version
editIn 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).[19]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Norwegian Post Becomes First Customer for Ford Transit Connect Electric" (Press release). Ford Corporate Media. March 22, 2011. Archived from the original on April 14, 2011.
- ^ "transit connect electric product card" (PDF). Azure Dynamics. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 9, 2011.
- ^ a b Matthew Dolan (2010-09-24). "Ford Works with Manufacturer for New Electric Van". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
- ^ Blanco, Sebastian (2012-03-28). "Azure halts Ford Transit Connect Electric production, Ford still confident in EV program". Autoblog Green. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
- ^ King, Danny (2012-03-28). "Azure Dynamics files for protection, cancels share offering". Autoblog Green. Retrieved 2012-03-28.
- ^ a b c Fuel Economy Guide, Model Year 2012 (PDF) (Report). United States Environmental Protection Agency. 2011. p. 26. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f Nick Bunkley (2010-12-07). "Ford Starts to Ship an Electric Delivery Van". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
- ^ a b c d e "Ford and Azure Dynamics Mark Production and Delivery of First Transit Connect Electrics". Ford Motor Company Press Release. 2010-12-07. Archived from the original on 2010-12-10. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
- ^ Abuelsamid, Sam (May 3, 2010). "Ford, Azure Dynamics will expand Transit Connect Electric to Europe in 2011". Autoblog. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ Garthwaite, Josie (December 7, 2010). "Ford Slowly Starts Down Electric Path With EV Van". GigaOM. Archived from the original on January 13, 2011.
- ^ "Azure Dynamics looks to expand in medium trucks". Reuters. November 15, 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ Wojdyla, Ben (February 9, 2009). "2010 Ford Transit Connect Officially First Ford Electric Vehicle". Jalopnik. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ "Johnson Controls Inc. Joins Ford Transit Connect Electric Lead Customer Program with 20 unit order" (Press release). The Auto Channel. September 22, 2010. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ "Azure Dynamics and Ford of Canada Name FleetWise EV300 As Transit Connect Electric LEAD Customer" (Press release). PR Newswire. November 30, 2010. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
- ^ [1][permanent dead link] Azure Dynamics taps Xcel Energy for elite Lead Customer program
- ^ "Azure Dynamics Technology to Support DHL's All 'Green' Fleet in Manhattan" (PDF) (Press release). Azure Dynamics. April 1, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 22, 2012.
- ^ Azure Dynamics Corporation (2011-10-25). "Azure Dynamics Announces 21 Transit Connect Electric Sales". PR Newswire. Retrieved 2011-11-02.
- ^ John Voelcker (2012-10-17). "Nissan e-NV200: Driving Nissan's Prototype Electric Minivan". Green Car Reports. Retrieved 2012-10-19.
- ^ "Ford and Azure Dynamics introduce Transit Connect Electric passenger wagon". Green Car Congress. 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2011-11-17.