Ford Unveils New Battery-Electric Tourneo Connect at 2009 Geneva Show
02 March 2009
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| Ford Tourneo Concept BEV. Click to enlarge. |
At the Geneva Motor Show, Ford introduced a new concept Ford Tourneo Connect equipped with a conceptual but fully operational Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) powertrain developed in collaboration with Smith Electric Vehicles.
In the UK and select European markets, Smith already offers battery electric versions of the Ford Transit medium commercial vehicle to fleet customers, and later this year will introduce a battery electric version of the Ford Transit Connect small commercial. (Earlier post.) It is this technology that has been adapted for the Tourneo Connect BEV concept. Smith is also working with Ford on a US BEV version of the Transit. (Earlier post.)
The Tourneo Connect BEV concept shows how Ford’s collaboration with Tanfield is extending the company’s global electric vehicle plan to Europe. The technology is already available for commercial vehicle applications, and at the 2009 Chicago Show we confirmed that we will launch, with Tanfield as our partner, the Transit Connect van as a full BEV in North America in 2010.
Although conceptual for now, if there is sufficient interest, this silent, zero emission technology could be applied to the Tourneo Connect quite quickly. We think it would be an ideal solution for taxi use, as a hotel shuttle vehicle or similar inner city application.
—John Fleming, Chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe
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| Under the hood. Click to enlarge. |
In the Tourneo Connect BEV Concept, a 21 kWh Lithium-Ion Phosphate battery pack powers a 50 kW permanent magnet motor, with the drive torque being transmitted to the driveshafts by a single-speed transmission. Using this set-up, Smith Electric Vehicles is targeting a range of up to 160 km (100 miles), and a top speed of 113 km/h (70 mph).
The onboard battery charger can be plugged directly into a standard mains socket, and a full battery charge is accomplished in 6 to 8 hours.
The Tourneo Connect BEV Concept also introduces a new look for the Tourneo and Transit Connect range that will be launched later in 2009.
(A hat-tip to John!)
Seems like things are really coming together for Smith Electric Vehicles. They have a new US company that will be assembling and delivering huge 7.5ton cargo trucks to American customers by the end of this summer - see http://www.sev-us.com
They have a deal with Ford to produce the electric version of Ford's 2010 small van in the US. Now it seems they are showing this electric car at Geneva - based on the same platform as the small van. That show starts Thursday this week.
They are sponsoring the Green Pavilion at The Work Truck Show in Chicago this week. And they are shortlisted for a UK government funded EV project.
They've been around for over 80 years, quietly shipping and maintaining tens of thousands of electric vehicles. And at last it looks like the world is moving their way!
Posted by: Bob Uppendown | 02 March 2009 at 05:46 PM
Being in Geneva.
I had the chance to see the upskirts of this Tourneo EV.
Here are 3 nice packs labelled CleanBat.
Isn't in Dassault Group battery pack that powers this Smith Electric Ford ?
It wouldn't be very surprising. For airplane, Dassault Group has already a foot on each continent (US and Europe). This seams to be part of the strategy of this very powerfull French Group.
That's breaking news.
Posted by: Bob from Europoe | 04 March 2009 at 07:01 AM