Azure Transit Connect Electric

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]

Azure Dynamics/Ford Transit Connect Electric
Overview
ManufacturerAzure Dynamics (of record)
and Ford Motor Company
Production2010–2012
Body and chassis
Body styleVan
Powertrain
Transmissionfixed ratio of 8.28:1 [1]
Battery28 kWh lithium-ion [1]
Range56 mi (90 km) (EPA)
Dimensions
Curb weight1791 kg [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.[5]

Production

Production began in December 2010, and full capacity was expected to be reached in April 2011 to produce between 600 and 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

References
  1. Norwegian Post Becomes First Customer for Ford Transit Connect Electric
  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. EPA. "2011–12 Electric Vehicles: Trucks". US Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  6. Nick Bunkley (2010-12-07). "Ford Starts to Ship an Electric Delivery Van". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
  7. "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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