Complex and demanding duty cycles challenge electrification for van segment

The van segment offers considerable promise for electrification but carries with it a host of challenges not found with passenger cars. A new multi-million pound project in London is intended to help identify and overcome those challenges. The pilot will see a fleet of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Ford Transit Custom vans put into use, shedding light on how the segment and commercial fleets in general can contribute to cleaner air targets.

The Transit Custom PHEV vans in the London trial featured an advanced design that allows them to be charged with mains electricity for zero-emission journeys. For longer trips the internal combustion engine (ICE) will serve as a range extender. Notably, Ford is the first volume manufacturer to offer PHEV technology in this segment of the van market. Graham Hoare, Director of Global Vehicle Evaluation and Verification, believes London offers a 'great surrogate' for other cities around the world, and that the insights from this trial could prove instrumental to cracking the challenges of electrification in this pivotal segment.