Azure Dynamics announces 45 Transit Connect Electric sales
03 February 2012
Azure Dynamics Corporation announced 45 new Ford Transit Connect Electric sales, including 20 units in Europe and 25 units in North America, which includes six initial units through the General Services Administration (GSA) via Northside Ford in San Antonio, TX, a four-unit order from Verizon and a four-unit order from an internet company.
With these new orders, global Transit Connect Electric sales exceed $32 million in less than 12 months of production, said Scott Harrison, Azure’s CEO.
Azure Dynamics has agreements with more than 160 Ford commercial truck dealerships in key markets across North America, 90 of which support sales and service activities for Transit Connect Electric and in six countries throughout Europe representing 13 dealerships with 57 store locations.
The Transit Connect Electric utilizes a lithium-ion battery pack from Johnson Controls to achieve a range of 50 to 80 miles depending on auxiliary usage and drive cycle and is rechargeable using either a 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlet. Commercial vans generally return to a central location at the end of each driving cycle making for easy overnight recharging. Use of the vehicles will also reduce fuel and maintenance costs, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
I can just about understand companies buying a few of this in the US where there is absolutely no alternative even at its insane price to get experience of electric delivery vehicles, but that European companies should have bought any when the Renault Kangoo ZE is available at half the price beggers belief.
What on earth are they doing?
Posted by: Davemart | 03 February 2012 at 03:12 AM
The asking price for those primitive first generation electrified utility vehicles does not promote massive sales. Will the approach change with improved lower cost batteries by the end of the current decade?
Posted by: HarveyD | 03 February 2012 at 09:20 AM
Of course. Please, Harvey, you're smarter than that to ask such a question.
We all know mass adoption of any technology, food, style, etc, is dependent on economics. That's why only the rich folk can afford the New Thing unless pricing reduces into lower economics and scale gradually ramps up.
Posted by: sheckyvegas | 03 February 2012 at 10:24 AM
Sorry sheckyvegas. My comment was for those naysayers who strongly believe that first generation electrified vehicles have to perform better than all current ICEVs.
Future wireless on-the-move charging systems will remove most reluctance about e-range and expensive large batteries.
Posted by: HarveyD | 03 February 2012 at 11:50 AM
It's 28Kwhr battery, which at the worst is $28K, and at the best is abou $15K. So what is the price on the vehicle? I don't see it in this article. The base transit connect is $22-24K, assuming $10K for conversion (other parts), $750 Kwhr for batteries, it should be something like $54K. You might have a savings of a few thousand because you don't have the ICE drive train. So maybe $48K. What do they sell for?
Posted by: Brotherkenny4 | 06 February 2012 at 09:26 AM