Ford adds PHEV to Transit Custom range
Ford will boost its electrified commercial vehicle fleet with the forthcoming Transit Custom PHEV, but has backed out of plans to import the fully electric Puma Gen-E.
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Ford Australia could be accused of giving with one hand while taking with the other, following news it will add a PHEV variant to its Transit Custom Range, while simultaneously shelving plans to introduce the fully electric Puma Gen-E.
The addition of the electrified van means Ford Australia will offer a pair of plug-in hybrid vehicles next year with the Transit Custom PHEV and Ranger PHEV, and a total of three electrified vans when it goes on sale alongside the E-Transit Custom and E-Transit.
A statement from Ford Australia said that realigning its electric vehicle line-up by offering the Ford Transit Custom PHEV was an important step in allowing businesses and fleets to decarbonise without sacrificing on vehicle capability or productivity.
When it arrives in mid-2025, the Ford Transit Custom PHEV will be available in both Trend LWB and Sport SWB model grades, alongside the ICE Transit Custom Trend LWB and SWB, Sport and Double Cab SWB, as well as the fully electric E-Transit Custom.
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The company said its trio of powertrains, including the first plug-in hybrid in the segment, will give customers a choice of pathways and the ability to pick the right vehicle for their needs.
The Transit Custom PHEV combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an 11.8kWh (useable) battery, providing a targeted WLTP electric-only driving range of more than 40km, while also allowing owners the opportunity to maximise fuel economy savings compared with ICE variants.
The electrified Transit allows drivers the choice of when to use the battery’s power, with the option of selecting EV Now, EV Later, and EV Auto drive modes.
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This provides drivers the flexibility of conducting shorter, inner-urban style trips on electric-only power, with the range of a regular ICE-powered vehicle available on demand for longer rural trips.
Naturally, as with any other PHEV, to enjoy the full 40km-plus of EV- only motoring and reap the benefits of lower running costs, drivers need to plug in the Transit Custom PHEV to recharge the battery.
The PHEV will join the second-generation Transit Custom range, which offers features including independent rear suspension for improved ride and handling, plus a stronger, more rigid, platform compared to the previous generation, with improved centre of gravity, packaging, and ergonomics.
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As for the decision to cancel plans to import the fully electric Puma Gen-E, Ford said it came after an extensive review of the current dynamics of the new-car market.
“Since we announced that the Puma Gen-E would join the Ford Australia line-up in early 2023, the EV market, in particular for small SUVs, has changed significantly,” explained Henderson.
“There are many factors that influence whether a vehicle’s business case stacks up – such as economic trends, material costs, consumer incentives and global supply chain – and after weighing these up, we took the call that we were better to focus our electrified lineup on other models.”
The Transit Custom Plug-In Hybrid is expected to arrive in Australia Q3, 2025, with the Ranger PHEV and an updated MY25 Mustang Mach-E also on the company’s EV plans for 2025.
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