Ford unveiled the Transit Custom plug-in hybrid last year, but now the company has released new details about the model ahead of its launch. Designed to combine “zero-emission driving capability and no range anxiety,” the Transit Custom PHEV has a 125 hp electric motor that turns the front wheels. It’s powered by a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which enables the van to travel up to 56 km on electricity alone in the New European Driving Cycle.

Since that isn’t very far, the van is also equipped with a 1.0‑liter EcoBoost petrol engine that acts as a generator. This enables the van to have an overall range in excess of 500 km and a fuel economy rating of 2.7 L/100 km (87.1 mpg US /104.6 mpg UK).


Despite its eco-friendly nature, Ford says customers don’t have to compromise as battery pack is mounted beneath the floor and this means the cargo capacity is unchanged at 6.0 cubic meters. The model also has a net payload capacity of 1,130 kg and an eight-year/160,000 km warranty on the battery.

Styling changes are relatively minor, but the van has a modified front bumper with an integrated charging port. It enables the van to be recharged in 4.3 hours using a 240-volt 10-amp connection. With a Type-2 AC charger, that time drops to 2.7 hours.


The minor styling changes continue in the cabin as the tachometer has been replaced by a power/charge gauge and the coolant temperature gauge has been swapped out for a battery charge indicator. There’s also a special display that shows the distance-to-empty for both the battery and the range extending engine. The Transit Custom PHEV will be offered in Van and Kombi bodystyles and the Van will be offered in Base, Trend and Limited trims. However, all will come standard with air conditioning and a heated windscreen.

The Transit Custom PHEV is currently available to order and the first deliveries are scheduled to occur in Europe before the end of the year. Customers more interesting in hauling people than cargo can check out the eight-seat Tourneo Custom Plug-In Hybrid. It uses the same powertrain as the Transit Custom PHEV, but has a lower electric-only range of 53 km. The van is also slightly less efficient as it consumes 3.1 L/100 km (75.8 mpg US / 91.1 mpg UK).