Ford E-Transit Custom could become one of Australia’s most affordable EVs

Ford is spreading its EV love to the smallest, most affordable Transit van with the reveal of the E-Transit Custom, which is confirmed for Australia late in 2023.

The E-Transit Custom could be one of the more affordable EVs on the market, in turn taking advantage of state rebates and incentives for electric cars.

To sit below the larger E-Transit that is due here by the end of 2022, the E-Transit Custom is due in dealerships in the second half of 2023.

It uses the same body of the regular Transit Custom but gets a different grille, fresh headlights and a door for the charging port in the front bumper.

“The E-Transit Custom is exactly the kind of versatile, practical van business customers are looking for, with the benefit of zero-emissions efficiency,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO of Ford Australia. “We are focused on deeply understanding the needs of commercial vehicle customers and bringing them the best of our global line-up.”

READ MORE: 5 Ford EVs coming to Australia by late 2024, Mustang Mach-E expected … eventually

The E-Transit Custom is the third of five electrified models promised by Ford Australia by the end of 2024; the delayed Escape PHEV is due in dealerships within weeks as the brand’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, while the E-Transit will kickstart the company’s local battery electric vehicle journey.

Many would no doubt be more interested in the F-150 Lightning electric ute following confirmation the ICE models will be sold in Australia from 2023. But that could be some way off…

Another EV likely for Australia is the Mustang Mach-E, a mid-sized SUV inspired by the Mustang muscle car.

For now, though, the Ford EV message is focused on carrying things and hauling heavy loads.

Like the larger E-Transit, the E-Transit Custom promises much of the experience of the regular models, those powered by a choice of four-cylinder turbo diesel engines.

That includes “full towing capability”, which presumably means something close to the 2000kg maximum limit of some automatic diesel models.

Ford has not released details on what’s beneath the skin of the E-Transit Custom, other than to say it will be a “no-compromise” electric vehicle.

Given the sharing between diesel-powered Transit and Transit Custom it seems logical there could be sharing of electric components with the EV versions.

However, there is one detail that means there will likely be differences: in the ICE world, the Transit Custom drives the front wheels whereas the larger (regular) Transit drives the rear wheels.

The E-Transit has a single electric motor making 198kW and 430Nm and driving the rear wheels.

It’s not known whether the E-Transit Custom will drive the front or rear wheels or exactly what will be powering it.

However, Ford has said it is targeting a 380km WLTP range between charges, which is more than the 317km range for its E-Transit sibling.

Pricing is yet to be announced but is expected to come at a premium to the diesel models, which are priced between $44,090 and $55,390 before on-road costs.

Best estimates are that the E-Transit Custom could start at around $60,000.

Still, that would potentially allow it to access $3000 rebates in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

Also expect much lower running costs on the electric Custom compared with the diesel alternatives, something that could appeal to the fleet buyers the van is aimed at.