The Australian market hasn’t responded to Ford’s electric vehicle lineup quite like The Blue Oval expected it to. Lower-than-anticipated demand prompted the automaker to offer generous incentives toward the Ford Mustang Mach-E, and to slash the price of the Ford E-Transit to move it off the lot. However, buyers interested in a Blue Oval van that offers a middle ground between gasoline and electric power will have another vehicle to choose from, as the Ford Transit Custom plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is headed Down Under.
Per a report from CarExpert, the Ford Transit Custom PHEV is on track to become Australia’s first plug-in hybrid van when it debuts in 2025. The van is powered by the four-cylinder 2.5L hybrid engine, which is paired with a hybrid electric motor and a CVT transmission. To maximize efficiency and response to driver preference, three selectable drive modes are available, including EV Now, EV Late, and EV Auto, which controls when the van utilizes its electric motor.
While Ford has not released full specs for the Australian model, the same setup produces 171kW under the hood of the European-spec models. The Blue Oval has indicated that the Ford Transit Custom PHEV will be able to handle up to 40 km of purely electric travel, although the Euro-spec model is rated for up to 56 km.
There will be two trims available for the Ford Transit Custom PHEV, including the extended-length Trend LWB (long wheelbase) and the shorter Sport SWB (short wheelbase). The van is also expected to offer Ford ProPower Onboard, which supplies up to 2.3 kW to devices via power outlets.
The advent of the Ford Transit Custom PHEV in Australia comes on the heels of the automaker’s decision to nix the Ford Puma Gen-E from its plans for Oceania, citing lower-than-expected demand for purely electric vehicles in the country. Even so, Ford recently announced that the 2025 Ford Mustang Mach-E will, in fact, be offered in Australia.
Comment
When is Ford going to bring one of these gussied up vans to the US? I seem to recall seeing a version of this awesome looking van with all bells and whistles; big display up front for controls, bigger display for GPS, leather interior, 2nd row reclining captains chairs with leg supports, and all the other trappings. I mean…if China can create a van like this why can’t Ford for the US?