Ford and Azure Dynamics have begun shipping the first Ford Transit Connect Electrics to early customers in North America and to the UK for demonstration.
The all-electric commercial vans, built on the Ford Transit Connect vehicle body, equipped with Azure Dynamics’ Force Drive battery electric powertrain and assembled by AM General at its facility in Livonia, Michigan, are reaching the market 13 months after collaboration to develop the zero-emission vehicle was first announced.
To date all initial units have designated customers. Azure Dynamics’ Lead customer programme includes seven companies taking delivery of their first units in 2010, with the remainder of their orders to be filled in 2011.
Customers previously announced include AT&T, Southern California Edison, Xcel Energy, Johnson Controls, New York Power Authority, Canada Post and Toronto Atmospheric Fund EV300. Additional Lead customers will be identified by the end of the year.
Ford first announced the collaboration in October 2009, with an agreement for Azure Dynamics to upfit the Transit Connect van with Azure’s Force Drive battery electric drivetrain technology including Johnson Controls-Saft’s advanced lithium-ion battery and a commitment to deliver the initial vehicles by the end of 2010 to the North American market.
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Initial production began in the fourth quarter of 2010 with full production of the Transit Connect Electric slated to ramp up in April 2011.
“Supplier collaboration is important on all Ford product programmes, but it was especially key in this effort, which went from contract signing to vehicle production in 13 months,” said Ford director, Electrification Programs and Engineering Sherif Marakby. “A strong teamwork environment established by Azure and Ford was critical to delivering this vehicle.”
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation provided incentive funding for Azure Dynamics to encourage selection of a Michigan-based partner for final assembly. Azure chose AM General, to produce the Transit Connect Electric in its facility in Livonia.
“We have been able to focus on integration of our Force Drive powertrain solution and benefit from Ford’s expertise in building ground-up global vehicle platforms,” said Azure Dynamics CEO Scott Harrison.
“Meanwhile, capital costs are kept in check by contracting AM General for labour and assembly services.”
AM General, a contract vehicle assembler and services provider, is responsible for final upfit of the Transit Connect Electric.
Transit Connect Electric is the first product in Ford’s accelerated electrified vehicle plan, and will be followed by the Focus Electric passenger car in 2011, along with a plug-in hybrid electric and two next-generation lithium-ion battery-powered hybrid vehicles in 2012.
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