Ford, a company whose commercial vehicles remain highly successful in Britain despite shifts in its passenger car lineup, is introducing a new addition to the popular Transit family. This expansion brings the total number of commercial vehicles in the Transit range to five, signaling a strategic move into a more accessible electric market segment.

Introducing the Low-Tech Transit City Van

The new Transit City represents a departure from the typical Ford strategy, as it will be manufactured in China, unlike most Transits which are currently built in Turkey. This model bucks the trend toward high-tech features by intentionally adopting a lower technology specification to maintain a highly competitive price point.

Targeting the Budget-Conscious Urban Operator

The Transit City is specifically aimed at businesses requiring a medium-sized electric van but unable to afford the premium pricing of the excellent E-Transit Custom. It shares a similar size and shape with the Custom but strips away complexity, offering no choices regarding trims, options, battery packs, or motor setups.

Ford is offering only a single version of the City. This configuration is ideal for businesses whose daily routes are predictable and primarily confined to urban environments. Pricing is positioned between the E-Transit Custom (starting around £45,000) and the smaller E-Transit Courier (from £27,000).

Unique Engineering and Standard Features

Underneath its familiar looks, the Transit City is a distinct vehicle. It was developed in collaboration with Jiangling Motors Corporation and utilizes a bespoke EV platform. Very little, aside from the name and general appearance, connects it to the existing Transit family.

Customers can select between two primary body styles: the shorter, lower L1H1, or the longer, high-roof L2H2 configuration. Every model comes standard with three front seats, air conditioning, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera.

Infotainment and Connectivity Trade-Offs

Standard equipment includes a 12-inch touchscreen, which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This setup replaces any integrated satellite navigation or advanced connectivity features found in other models.

Instead of Ford’s latest cloud-based Sync 4 infotainment system, the van uses a Chinese operating system that has been visually modified to resemble Ford’s interface. While this might disappoint users who value data-rich connectivity, it may reassure some buyers concerned about data privacy related to a vehicle developed and built in China.

Performance and Charging Specifications

The powertrain consists of a 56kWh lithium iron phosphate battery coupled with a 110kW motor. This combination delivers an official electric range of approximately 158 miles.

Ford expresses confidence that this range is sufficient, citing internal data suggesting 90 percent of existing electric commercial vehicle users drive fewer than 68 miles daily. This suggests the City’s range covers typical delivery needs, accounting for potential operational issues.

Charging capabilities are described as acceptable rather than rapid. The maximum DC charging rate is 87kW, averaging 67kW, allowing the battery to charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. Using an 11kW AC connection, the same charge level takes four and a half hours.

Body Style Versatility

In addition to the two standard panel vans, Ford is offering a chassis cab variant—a rarity in the medium-van sector. This allows external companies to fit custom bodies onto the rear structure.

Ford will also offer a couple of in-house conversions utilizing the van’s battery, including a tipper model and a refrigerated van option.

Note: Tom Webster, the Vans and Pick-ups Editor and Deputy Head of the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub, closely monitors commercial vehicle trends and ownership costs, informing this analysis.