Smith Electric may add battery power Ford Transit Connect
England's Smith Electric Vehicles already produces a battery-powered version of Ford's big European transit van. It now looks like they may soon add a new one based on the compact Transit Connect. The electric Transit Connect may debut in the UK by the end of 2008 and will likely cost twice as much as the current diesel version. The battery-powered van is expected to have a range of 100 miles and top speed of 70mph. Factoring in operating costs, the electric van should be cheaper than the diesel version after five years of operation. Ford announced plans to bring a gasoline-powered version of the Transit Connect to the U.S. earlier this year at the Chicago Auto Show.
[Source: TheGreenCarWebsite]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kevin Nugent 2:52PM (4/12/2008)
Why the hell does the us only get stuck with the diesel version . there are many short routes within ups . fed ex and dhl that could benefit from a car like this . yet you manufacturers deprive us from it .
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Chris M 5:35PM (4/12/2008)
Smith Electric is a British company, but is opening a plant in Fresno, California to supply the US market. By the time Ford brings this model to the US, Smith may be ready to electrify it!
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David Wright 7:47PM (4/15/2008)
Smith have now officially launched it - and named it the Smith Ampere. But at the same time they have also launched the Smith Faraday Mk2, which is an all-electric version of the US Ford 650 delivery truck.
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Jharlan 8:29PM (12/17/2008)
I don't get it! Why are these startup companies able to offer vehicles that are economically viable and that people want, when our Detroit friends continue to offer no help here? Is it that once we get on the pier we just have to drive off the end? Are they unable to admit their strategic planning is an embarassment? If Smith can take Detroit products and convert them to what the people need and market them at a reasonable price, something is terribly wrong in Detroit!
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