- New Ford Transit City revealed
- Electric van built for urban operators
- Makes going electric as 'simple and as attractive as possible for a business user'
- Three body style available
- UK pricing still to be confirmed
- Production begins this summer
Ford has unveiled the new Transit City, a smaller and more affordable electric van designed for urban operators who don’t need the full capability of the E-Transit Custom.
As the fifth model in the Transit line-up, the Transit City has been developed with a very specific brief: provide a simple, cost-effective electric van for businesses working in towns and cities.
Ford says many fleets are being pushed towards electrification, but don’t need the range, towing ability or complexity of larger vans. The Transit City is intended to meet those needs without adding unnecessary cost.
Hans Schep, general manager of Ford Pro Europe, said: “The path to electrification is not straightforward… Any solution needs to start and finish with the needs of our customers, making going electric as simple and as attractive as possible for a business user.”
Simpler range, lower costs
To keep things straightforward, the Transit City will be offered with a single specification and no optional extras.
Buyers can choose between three body styles — L1H1 van, L2H2 van and chassis cab — but beyond that, the focus is on simplicity. Ford says this approach helps reduce purchase costs while also making it easier for fleets to specify and run their vehicles.
Power comes from a 56kWh LFP battery paired with a 110kW front-mounted motor, delivering a targeted range of up to 158 miles.
Ford says its connected vehicle data shows that 90% of vans in this segment travel less than 68 miles per day, meaning a larger battery would add cost and weight without delivering meaningful benefits for most users.
Charging is designed to fit typical fleet use. A 10–80% DC charge takes around 33 minutes, while a 10-minute rapid charge can add roughly 30 miles of range — enough to support top-ups during a working day.
One detail that may raise eyebrows is that the van will be built in Nanjing, China, as part of Ford’s long-standing partnership with JMC. Ford says the vehicle has been engineered specifically for European customer needs and is intended to complement its existing range.
Practical enough for everyday work
Despite its city-focused brief, the Transit City still offers usable load space. Payload is rated at up to 1,275kg, while load volume reaches 8.5 cubic metres in the larger L2H2 version. Ford says the van can accommodate three Euro pallets and offers a load length of more than 3,000mm.
However, there are some clear limitations. The Transit City has not been engineered for towing, underlining its focus on urban and last-mile applications rather than more demanding roles.
One of the more interesting versions is the chassis cab, which Ford says has been developed with converters in mind.
The layout is designed to make body-building easier, opening the door to applications such as dropsides, box bodies, refrigerated vans and municipal vehicles. This could make it particularly useful for local authorities and utility providers operating in low-emission zones.
Running costs and support
Ford is targeting lower ownership costs, claiming servicing could be around 40% cheaper than a comparable diesel van, with service intervals of two years or 25,000 miles.
Transit City will also benefit from Ford Pro’s existing support network, including Transit Centres and mobile servicing, which remains a key part of the brand’s fleet offering.
Positioning in the extended Transit range
The Transit City will sit below the E-Transit Custom in Ford’s line-up, acting as a more affordable alternative rather than a replacement.
The Transit City is unlikely to suit every operator. Its limited range and lack of towing mean it won’t replace larger vans for more demanding roles. However, for businesses focused on urban deliveries, service work, and short daily routes, it could offer a simpler, more cost-effective route into electric van ownership.
Ford will showcase the Transit City at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham this April, with production due to begin in the summer and first European deliveries expected from October. UK pricing has yet to be confirmed, but Ford says it will undercut the E-Transit Custom.
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