Ford Transit Custom gets power boost and hybrid tech for 2019

Ford has unveiled the production-ready Transit Custom Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany. The medium van also gets an uprated 185PS 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine for 2019, along with an all-new mild hybrid powertrain.

The Ford Transit Custom PHEV is designed for urban-based van operators, who want a long range vehicle with electric capability and low emissions. For this end, the Transit Custom fulfills the brief with its electric motor, lithium-ion batteries and 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine providing over 300 miles of range.

The van will cover up to 30 miles on electricity alone, for towns and cities, which qualifies it for the Government plug-in grant of £8000.  

There are no details on pricing - or advertised fuel economy - but Ford has confirmed that the Transit Custom PHEV will reach showrooms in the second half of 2019. Ford is also promising the same load capacity as the diesel van, which means the gross vehicle mass will range from 2.6 tonnes to 3.4 tonnes offering payloads up to 1450kg. Bodystyles will include van, kombi and double-cab-in-van.

Using the charge port located within the front bumper, the Transit Custom PHEV will take three hours to charge from a 7.2kW wallbox. The trip computer has been configured specifically for the PHEV powertrain, and EV mode indicators, with a status line showing distance to empty for both the battery and petrol fuel tank.

Other updates for 2019 include the addition of a new, powerful 185PS variant of the 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel engine. Ford is also adding a mild hybrid (mHEV) diesel option that will capture energy on deceleration and braking, before directing it into a lithium-ion battery pack to drive the engine and improve overall running costs.

Ford says it will release fuel economy figures and pricing for all of the new Transit Custom models in the coming weeks.