Ford is dialling up the hype as it teases its second commercial electric vehicle (EV) for Europe, with a shadowy video ahead of its reveal on May 9, 2022.
Although it’s not mentioned, the teased vehicle is expected to be the upcoming, all-electric Tourneo Custom which is the people mover version of the Transit Custom one-tonne commercial van.
This can be distinguished because the daytime running light signature with full-width light bar matches what was marked as the Tourneo Custom in the previous EV range teaser Ford Europe showed off in March 2022.
During the video it zooms into and pans around the Tourneo Custom EV, not giving much away in terms of design details. Only a basic outline of its typical, van-like silhouette can be seen.
Towards the end of the video we get a short glimpse at the side profile of the Tourneo Custom EV and it’s unclear if this is just an electric version of the existing Tourneo Custom, or potentially a rebadged Volkswagen ID. Buzz which uses Volkswagen Group’s MEB all-electric architecture.
Ford has previously said it’s going to be launching a “medium-size crossover” based on the MEB platform. The vehicle is expected to be similar to the related Volkswagen ID. 4 and sit below the Mustang Mach-E.
Seeing that Ford is already using the MEB platform for passenger vehicles, it could also be using it for commercial vans and people movers too. The Blue Oval also recently revealed its upcoming Tourneo Connect people mover, essentially a reskinned version of the Volkswagen Caddy which is based on the VW Group’s MQB architecture.
The other likely and more probable solution is Ford is just creating an all-electric version of the existing Tourneo Custom based on the eighth-generation Ford Transit van.
From what can be seen in the shadowy teaser, the Tourneo Custom EV has a similar bonnet as the existing Transit Custom and has a very similar rear bumper as the Transit Custom Sport.
At this stage, Ford of Europe says its going to be putting the Tourneo Custom EV into production in 2023.
It’s unclear if this will be making the trip Down Under, but Ford Australia has previously announced it plans to bring at least five electrified vehicles by 2024. Further, the brand’s local division posted the teaser video to its social channels hinting at the possibility of an Australian introduction.
Ford has already revealed the larger e-Transit van, which is set for an Australian launch in mid-2022.
e-Transit
It’ll only be sold in rear-wheel drive 420L long-wheelbase configuration and will initially be sold through a network of 20 dealers with specialist EV workshop equipment to service the e-Transit.
Ford of Europe has previously said it’ll launch seven new electric vehicles by 2024, with the Tourneo Custom EV being one of these vehicles.
It’ll also be building all-electric version of the Puma light SUV, Transit Courier van, Tourneo Courier people mover and Transit Custom van.
There’s also the “medium-size crossover” and the “sport crossover” that’ll both be built at Ford’s heavily renovated factory in Cologne, Germany.
Despite sharing common underpinnings with various Volkswagen Group vehicles, Ford is promising the new crossovers will be distinctly Ford in terms of design, feel and services.
With these new vehicles, Ford is planning to sell over 600,000 EVs in Europe by 2026. The company also expects its Cologne plant to produce a total of 1.2 million EVs by 2029.
To help the company meet its EV targets, the automaker is setting up a battery factory in Turkey with Korean battery firm SK On and Turkish conglomerate Koç Holding.
In the middle of 2021, the European Commission said it plans to ban the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines by 2035. This’ll force all automakers operating in the region to shift to EV-only line-ups.
MORE: Ford plans seven new EVs for Europe, including Puma EV
