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During the Congressional hearing on a possible auto industry aid package, Alan Mulally, CEO of Ford Motor Company, indicated his firm would launch an electric cargo van by 2010. Although we’ve yet to see the official details, we’ve heard some buzz about that project.
According to Automotive News, the electric van won’t be based on the hulking E-series line, but will instead be a modified form of an existing European vehicle. We’re guessing that vehicle will be none other than the Transit Connect, a small utility van that will make its way to the U.S. in 2010. The compact package of the Transit Connect makes it an ideal vehicle for conversion, but we can’t help but see a bit of deja-vu in its EV conversion.
When EV development was spurred by regulations passed in the early 1990s, Ford jumped into the race with the 1992 Ecostar – which was, ironically, a small European (Escort) panel van converted to electric drive. Less than 100 examples were built and leased to fleet customers before Ford pulled the plug (no pun intended) on the program.
We’re curious if the new electric van – along with a promised EV sedan – will also be limited to fleet sales, or if it will be offered to the general public. Those details, along with many others, may be addressed at the 2009 Detroit auto show, where Ford is expected to reveal more about its EV program.
Source: Automotive News Europe
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