Ford’s iconic van family is growing with the debut of the all-new, all-electric Transit City at the CV Show last week. John Kendall explores how this new electric-first platform aims to redefine last-mile delivery with a focus on simplicity and efficiency.

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Ford has added a fifth model to the Transit range with the launch of Transit City at the CV Show this month. The latest model is a joint venture with Jiangling Motor Corporation (JMC) of China. Ford has worked in partnership with JMC for over 30 years. The company has built four generations of Transit vans in China.

The electric-only Transit City is comparable in size to the Transit Custom and be available in three body styles: L1H1 van, L2H2 van and chassis cab. No other model derivatives are currently planned. L1H1 models are capable of carrying three Euro-pallets and handling payloads up to 1,085kg. The longer and taller L2H2 variant offer a load volume of 8.5m³ and payloads up to 1,275kg, while providing a load floor over 3,000mm long. The chassis-cab offers a basis for conversions including refrigerated bodies, dropsides and mobile shops.

“Today, challenges aren’t just about carrying larger and heavier loads,” says Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro. “Van operators in cities — part of the van-powered sector worth over €1 trillion to Europe’s GDP — now also need to consider factors such as clean air zones, rising costs and operating restrictions while still delivering for their customers.

“Ford Pro saw a way to help cost-conscious firms who need the right tool for work in increasingly electric-only cities. With the right battery, load area and equipment levels, we could offer a super-simple vehicle that still ticks every box – to the point that you wouldn’t need a single optional extra.”

To this end, Ford will offer a single specification, helping to reduce cost and complexity. Standard equipment includes a load liner, half-height interior trim and load lashing points in the vans. In the cab there’s a heated driver’s seat, keyless entry and manual air conditioning. Other equipment includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a 12-inch dashboard touchscreen, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, automatic headlamps and a rear-view camera.

Target customers include businesses looking for a cost-effective electric van for urban low-emission work, last-mile delivery operators, multi-drop couriers, service maintenance and repair providers, local authority fleets, utilities and building contractors as well as refrigerated delivery operators.

All models are equipped with a 56kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery offering a range of up to 158 miles (254km), supplied by CATL in China. According to Ford, 90% of van operators in the segment drive less than 68 miles (110km) per day.

“Going electric can also yield financial benefits beyond saving on energy”, says Schep. “Fewer moving parts and service items mean we expect maintenance costs to be reduced by around 40% compared to an equivalent diesel vehicle; our service interval on Transit City is two years or 24,850 miles (40,000km).”

Power comes from a 110kW/150hp electric motor driving the front wheels.

This will help to simplify chassis cab conversions as the driveline will not interfere with chassis fittings. The frame rails have been designed for simpler body building and easier access, while expertise from the E-Transit chassis-cab has helped to optimise bolt patterns, standardise electrical connections and define ‘No drill’ zones to make conversions as efficient as possible.

Ford envisages that conversion work will be carried out by its network of 200 approved Ford Pro convertors across Europe. Existing partners will supply a float, box van and racking van initially. These will be joined by refrigerated and tipper variants in early 2027. Schep told VFW that although demand for chassis cabs in this sector is small overall, it is large in the Transit City’s target market.

Ford has optimised the one-pedal mode designed for the Transit City, having taken feedback from existing Ford electric van drivers. The manufacturer says this will improve efficiency and reduce driver fatigue during stop/start driving. The company is not planning to offer a 4×4 variant.

Transit City is equipped with 11kW AC three-phase charging as standard, which would permit 10-80% charging in around four and a half hours. Maximum charging power is restricted to 87kW DC for rapid charging, with an average rate of 67kW.

Unlike current Ford Pro models, the Transit City will not be a ‘connected’ vehicle, but it will be available with a plug-in device to enable app connection for fleet management software and other applications.

Ford Pro will publish prices and open orders for the Transit City in in the coming weeks. All variants are expected to be in dealers in October 2026, with One Stop Shop conversions available in early 2027.

Ford Explorer Van

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Ford has also launched an N1-compliant conversion of the Ford Explorer EV, joining other new entrants in the sector. Volvo recently announced the EX30 Cargo, following Škoda and other car makers into the electric car-derived van sector.

The Explorer Van offers 1.3m³ of load space and a 600kg payload. Ford says it is able to offer a comparatively high payload because the weight of removed items such as the rear seats is equal to the weight of the load floor and bulkhead fitted in its place. Ford told VFW that rear-wheel-drive models will offer a range of up to 373 miles while four-wheel-drive models will offer up to 340 miles.