REVERSE-ENGINEERING FORD'S E-TRANSIT CUSTOM (EV VAN) FOR AUSTRALIA

EV Channels Review

John Cadogan provides an in-depth reverse-engineering analysis of the upcoming Ford E-Transit Custom for the Australian market. He critically examines Ford's claims, particularly regarding battery technology and range, debunking the "next-generation battery" marketing as current-generation lithium-ion. Cadogan estimates a real-world range of approximately 250 km for couriers and 218 km for "tradie hoarders" (fully loaded), significantly lower than Ford's claimed 380 km WLTP figure. He highlights charging times, noting that 11kW AC charging takes over 11 hours on single-phase power, while DC fast charging from 15-80% takes 41 minutes. Cadogan suggests the E-Transit Custom could be a viable option for specific use cases, such as local business run-arounds or tradies with predictable daily routes, provided charging infrastructure is available. However, he cautions that for high-mileage couriers or those needing consistent full-day operation without reliable charging, the range and charging limitations may be prohibitive.