Ford E-Transit $20,000 price cut now undercuts smaller electric van rivals
10/04/2024 12:00 AM
The price of the battery-electric E-Transit commercial van has been slashed by more than $35,000 since it arrived in Australia.
The Ford E-Transit – already Australia's cheapest full-size electric commercial van after a $15,000 reduction in May – now costs less than most smaller electric rivals with a $20,000 cheaper runout deal on existing stock.
Advertised as an 'end of year' promotion the E-Transit starts at $69,990 drive-away until 31 December 2024, with only small electric vans – two size classes down from the full-size E-Transit – available at a cheaper price.
The drive-away price applies specifically to current stocks of 2023.5 Ford E-Transit 420L in mid-roof height ahead of the Australian arrival of an updated Transit line-up – with increased pricing for diesel versions – by the end of 2024.
The $69,990 drive-away price sees E-Transit significantly cheaper than the two other electric vans in the same size category – the LDV eDeliver 9, which starts at $116,000 before on-road costs with a full van body, and the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter at $104,313 plus on-roads.
The full-size commercial van trio may be joined by the BYD E-Vali recently shown by the Chinese car maker at the IAA Transportation commercial-vehicle motor show in Hannover, Germany.
The promotional price means the E-Transit also costs less than the $73,674 (plus on-road costs) LDV eDeliver7 – a size class smaller and a rival for Ford's E-Transit Custom that is planned for local showrooms by the end of 2024.
At its Australian launch in late 2022 the Turkish-built E-Transit was priced at $104,990 plus on road costs – cut to $89,990 in May 2024 after slow sales – meaning its runout pricing is more than $35,000 less than its original ask given it also includes on-road costs.
The E-Transit has a single 198kW/430Nm electric motor driving the rear wheels, with a 69kWh battery and driving range rating of 307km WLTP (World harmonised Light vehicle Testing Procedure) for the mid-roof model.
The mid-roof E-Transit also offers 11.0 cubic metres of cargo space and a 1611kg payload with 115kW DC (direct current) fast charging enabling up to 80 per cent range in as little as 34 minutes.
The E-Transit was the first battery-electric car sold by Ford Australia – followed by Mustang Mach-E SUV, which has also seen significant price cuts since its introduction in Australia.
Ford's global approach to electric vehicles has been revised in 2024 – one of many car makers to adjust strategies in the wake of changing legislation and market conditions.
MORE: Ford Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit prices slashed again by up to $15,000
That has seen many car makers prioritise hybrid models as sales grow in key countries including the US with the Ford Ranger PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) due on sale in Australia in 2025.
In August, Ford cancelled plans to build an electric SUV in one of its Canada factories, using the facility to increase production of V8-powered F-Series Super Duty trucks instead.
The move was intended to generate short-term profits, the car maker revealing it lost $US130,000 ($AU193,885) for every electric car sold in the first three months of 2024.
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