2023 Ford E-Transit Cargo Van

　　

2023 Ford E-Transit Cargo Van Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　Vans are the go-to choice for commercial vehicles that provide an enclosed space for parcels, tools and whatever your business needs to move. With the shift away from the old Econolines and Express vans, the newer models from Europe have fulfilled the need for more efficient and maneuverable alternatives. If you've wanted an electric van, however, you'd likely need a specialized contract with one of the few niche manufacturers. That's all changed with the Ford E-Transit, the first widely available all-electric van for sale in the U.S.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

Ford E-Transit Cargo Van EV Insights

Trim:E-Transit Cargo Van 350 Low Roof

　　350 Low Roof 3dr Van w/130" WB (electric DD) - $53,790 MSRP350 Medium Roof 3dr Van w/130" WB (electric DD) - $54,555 MSRP350 Low Roof 3dr Van w/148" WB (electric DD) - $55,000 MSRP350 Medium Roof 3dr Van w/148" WB (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $55,770 MSRP350 High Roof 3dr Van w/148" WB (electric DD) - $57,810 MSRP350 High Roof 3dr Ext Van w/148" WB (electric DD) - $58,970 MSRP

　　

Range

　　EPA Estimated Range not available

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors | OpenStreetMap

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　

Charging at Home

　　No charging time information available

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit OpenStreetMap

　　

Cost to Drive

　　Not Available

　　E-Transit Cargo Van

　　vs

　　$284/mo

　　Van Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　You'll have a tough time spotting one in the wild since they look almost identical to the existing Ford Transit. The E-Transit is also available in a variety of body styles, wheelbase lengths and roof heights. But unlike the Transit, which can be ordered with up to 14 seats, the E-Transit is only offered in bare-bones Cargo configuration or as a Cutaway or Chassis Cab for more specialized uses.

　　The E-Transit could be a big hit with businesses, but there is a rather significant limitation: range. It has an estimated range of only 126 miles. That should set off alarm bells with a lot of interested shoppers, though Ford is quick to point out that the average city commercial van averages only 74 miles in a day. On the plus side, it's capable of DC fast charging and the battery should be replenished with plenty of range in the course of a lunch break.

　　That puts the 2023 Ford E-Transit in a unique position, at least for a few months. When the 2024 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter goes on sale this summer, it'll be the E-Transit's only EV van rival. Early estimates give the eSprinter a huge advantage, with around 250 miles of range. The big concern is cost, as regular Sprinters already cost more than the competition. Besides the obvious advantages that the electric E-Transit enjoys in regard to operating costs, there are also a few smart features and some drawbacks we cover in our Expert Rating below. It could help you decide whether to commit to an E-Transit or wait for the eSprinter.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the E-Transit Cargo Van drive? The E-Transit drives, perhaps unsurprisingly, like a van. Acceleration numbers aren't blistering, but a 0-60 mph run of 8.4 seconds is quick enough for a vehicle of this type. The more important figure is the E-Transit's 0 to 30 mph sprint of 3.7 seconds, perfect for driving in cities.

　　Braking is equally as van-like, taking 140 feet to stop from 60 mph. For context, heavy-duty pickup trucks often stop in similar distances. Load the van with cargo, and braking will only get longer. Unlike some other EVs, there is no one-pedal driving. The E-Transit wasn't built to be a handling all-star, but it is easy to drive and use on a day-to-day basis thanks to its fully electric powertrain. Its smooth power delivery off the line and relaxed throttle response make it easy to accelerate and bring to controlled stops.

　　

Comfort

6.5/10

　　How comfortable is the E-Transit Cargo Van? The E-Transit is comfortable enough on the day to day. The ride is on the firmer side, even when it's unladen, and as a result the E-Transit can skip around over bumps and expansion joints at times. The seats aren't particularly supportive, but they offer adequate adjustability and can lie almost completely flat for a nap while charging up.

　　But the seats and the ride aren't actually the E-Transit's biggest knock when it comes to comfort. Simply put, it is loud inside. Despite a whisper-quiet EV powertrain, there is essentially no sound-deadening material, and wind noise abounds inside. On top of that, the van's rear metal panels are thin and wobble around on the rear part of the E-Transit's frame, causing an absolute cacophony while driving on city streets. Earplugs might not be the worst idea.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below