2024 FORD ETRANSIT VS CHEVROLET BRIGHTDROP ZEVO 600

EV Channels Review

The 2024 Ford eTransit is presented as a compelling, budget-friendly electric van option in Canada, significantly undercutting competitors like the Mercedes eSprinter and Chevrolet Brightdrop ZEVo. While its starting price of around $71,000 (before fees and incentives) makes it the most accessible, this comes with trade-offs. The eTransit features an updated 89 kWh usable battery, offering a rated range of 230 km, which proved challenging in cold weather, with consumption as high as 44 kWh/100km without heat or slipstreaming. However, with strategic driving, including slipstreaming behind semi-trucks and turning off the heat, consumption could be reduced to a more sustainable 36 kWh/100km, yielding over 200 km of range even when fully loaded. The primary advantage of the eTransit over the Brightdrop is its superior payload capacity, rated at 1.3 tons compared to the Brightdrop's approximately 700 kg. Conversely, the Brightdrop offers nearly double the range with its larger battery option. The eTransit is exclusively rear-wheel drive, unlike the Brightdrop's available AWD. Despite its lower range and lack of a cargo-cab separation (leading to high winter consumption), the eTransit's lower cost and higher payload make it a practical choice for businesses prioritizing cargo capacity over maximum range.