CUSTOM CLASS BENCHMARK (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Not convinced by the current crop of mid-sized EV vans? You might be by this one, Ford's E-Transit Custom. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 59

Ford's E-Transit Custom aims to set new standards for what an all-electric mid-sized van can be. Quite simply, it's more thoroughly engineered than most of its segment rivals - and there are some clever features that you simply won't find anywhere else. In short, if you're needing a full-battery LCV of this size, you simply can't ignore this one.

Backgroundword count: 186

Could this be the most significant road test you'll view all year? Quite possibly. This is after all the very first all-electric version of Britain's best selling vehicle of any kind. Welcome to Ford's E-Transit Custom. If you're not convinced by the current crop of mid-sized EV vans, we think you might be by this one The significance of this model is difficult to over-state. There are more Ford Transits - and particularly Ford Transit Customs - on the road than any other van. Imagine the environmental impact of a growing proportion of them switching away from smoky diesel power, a change which starts right here and now with this battery-powered LCV. Unlike the larger '2 tonne'-series E-Transit model that we've already tried and quite liked, this E-Transit Custom isn't Ford's own work but the product of a shared project with LCV partner Volkswagen. The fruit of which has also been a mechanically identical EV version of the current generation Volkswagen Transporter. Ford also produces an E-Tourneo Custom passenger carrying MPV version of this model. But it's the E-Transit Custom panel van that's our focus here.

Driving Experienceword count: 350

The 136PS E-Transit Custom variant most will choose is capable of up to 204 miles between charges - which about matches the class standard, but no more. Inevitably, that figure takes a dive the more power you choose; the 218PS model manages up to 195 miles; and the top 285PS version can only manage 165 miles between charges. We've talked about the different power outputs you can have. Well they all share the same eager class-leading 415Nm torque figure, transmitted through the front wheels. There are five driving modes - 'Normal', 'Eco', 'Sport', 'Slippery' and 'Tow/Haul'. The power surge in 'Sport' is fun for a bit but you really don't need anything more than the restricted forward thrust of 'Eco' for regular day-to-day use. If you've driven a few of the latest mid-sized vans and you're taking the back road home in this one, it'll soon become clear that this is the best-handling van in the segment; body roll and traction are both top-notch for an LCV. But whether that'll be important enough to operators to pay the prices Ford is asking here is another question. They may be more interested to hear that this E-Transit Custom can tow up to 2.3-tonnes, considerably more than direct rivals. At a cruise, this LCV is wonderfully quiet, even for an EV. There's not quite as much steering feel as you might remember from the previous generation Transit Custom, but the helm's light feel makes this van very easy to drive in town, where the reasonably-tight turning circle is useful, 10.9m kerb-to-kerb in the L1 version or 12.1m in this L2. During urban driving, you'll notice that ride comfort is another thing about this Ford that's class-leading, which will be welcome across the pot holes and speed humps that are such a feature of city life these days. As for brake regen, well you can increase that with an 'L' button on the gear selector stalk; or there's a full '1-Pedal' setting in the centre screen menus that can very nearly bring the van to a standstill when you come off the throttle.

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