Geneva 2009: Ford's all-electric Tourneo Connect

Ford couldn't be bothered to actually bring a battery-powered version of the Transit Connect to the Chicago Auto Show last month (but they did show off four gasoline-powered versions and announced the BEV there). People visiting the Geneva Motor Show will get a more personal experience with Ford's latest zero-emission vehicle when the Tourneo Battery Electric Vehicle concept makes an appearance there this week.

The idea behind the passenger-friendly Tourneo BEV is to showcase how the battery-only powerplant can be used to ferry people as well as freight. The powertrain for both models was co-developed by Ford and Smith EV and features a 21 kWh lithium-ion phosphate battery pack, a 50 kW permanent magnet motor, and a single-speed transmission. That's good for a 160-km (100-mile) range and top speeds of about 113 km/h (70 mph). A full charge takes 6-8 hours. These numbers are exactly the same as those announced for the electric Transit Connect.

[Source: Ford]

PRESS RELEASES:

FORD REVEALS NEW TOURNEO CONNECT WITH BATTERY ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN

At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Ford's Tourneo Connect BEV concept shows how commercial BEV technology could be applied to a passenger model.

Extending its aggressive global electric vehicle plan to Europe, Ford developed the fully operational BEV powertrain in collaboration with Smith Electric Vehicles. Ford's established electrification partner is the European market's leading battery electric specialist converter of commercial vehicles, which is part of the UK-based Tanfield Group of companies.

In the UK and select European markets, Tanfield already offers battery electric versions of the Ford Transit medium commercial vehicle to fleet customers, and expects to deliver its first Transit Connect small commercial BEVs later this year. It is this technology that has been adapted for the Tourneo Connect BEV concept.

Ford will also work with Tanfield to deliver a Transit Connect van as a full BEV in North America in 2010. The use of the now global Transit/Tourneo Connect vehicle platform showcases Ford's ability to deliver products with worldwide marketing opportunities.

The Tourneo Connect BEV Concept features the latest level battery electric technology. Here are some vehicle highlights:

* A 21 kWh Lithium-Ion Phosphate battery pack accumulates the energy to drive a 50 kW permanent magnet motor, while the drive torque is transmitted to the driveshafts by a single-speed transmission.
* Using this set-up, Smith Electric Vehicles is targeting a range of up to 160 km (100 miles), and a top speed of 113 km/h (70 mph).
* The onboard battery charger can be plugged directly into a standard mains socket.
* A full battery charge is accomplished in 6 to 8 hours.

Quotes

"The Tourneo Connect BEV concept shows how Ford's collaboration with Tanfield is extending the company's global electric vehicle plan to Europe. The technology is already available for commercial vehicle applications, and at the 2009 Chicago Show we confirmed that we will launch, with Tanfield as our partner, the Transit Connect van as a full BEV in North America in 2010. Although conceptual for now, if there is sufficient interest, this silent, zero emission technology could be applied to the Tourneo Connect quite quickly. We think it would be an ideal solution for taxi use, as a hotel shuttle vehicle or similar inner city application."
- John Fleming, Chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe

"Offering the Ford Connect vehicle family with battery electric power represents the next logical step in our pursuit of even greater fuel economy and sustainability. We know a growing number of our fleet clients have expressed interest in electrification as a sustainable mobility solution. By leveraging our global team and asset portfolio, we're able to bring this environmentally friendly, strong 'silent type' quickly to market as a van, and we believe there are enormous possibilities for a Tourneo Connect passenger model as well."
- Derrick Kuzak, Ford's Group Vice President of Global Product Development


Smith Electric Vehicles Reveals New Battery-Electric Ford Tourneo Connect

Geneva Motor Show debut for conceptual zero emission people mover:

* Ford Tourneo Connect battery electric vehicle (BEV)

* Ford & Smith could develop production model, if interest is high

* Target range 100 miles (160km), top speed 70mph (113km/h)

* Showcases that Smith's commercial vehicle technology can translate to passenger vehicles

* Strengthens Smith relationship with Ford

* Underlines Smith's position as market leader for BEVs

* Smith already markets BEV versions of the Ford Transit and Transit Connect commercial vehicles in Europe

* Smith also collaborating with Ford in North America on Transit Connect BEV for 2010 launch

FORD and Smith Electric Vehicles today unveil a conceptual passenger battery electric vehicle (BEV) at the Geneva Auto Show.

The zero emission Ford Tourneo Connect BEV Concept has a projected range of 100 miles (160km) on a full battery charge and a top speed of 70mph (113km/h). The people carrier demonstrates that Smith's electric vehicle technology in vans and trucks can easily translate into passenger vehicles.

Smith Electric Vehicles, a business unit of The Tanfield Group Plc, has produced commercial electric vehicles for over 80 years and is Ford's official collaborator on commercial BEVs in Europe and North America.

Darren Kell, CEO of The Tanfield Group Plc, said: "The pure electric new Tourneo Connect exists as a proof of concept, but it demonstrates how seamlessly our world-leading technology can integrate into passenger vehicles.

"If the Tourneo Connect BEV generates high levels of interest, we can work with Ford on production potential and develop the vehicle relatively quickly."

The vehicle displayed at Geneva is driven by an ultra-efficient 50 kilowatt permanent magnet motor, powered by 21 kilowatt-hours of lithium-ion batteries. The Ford Tourneo Connect BEV Concept adapts technology that Smith has developed for the Transit Connect BEV light van, which is already available to order in Europe as the Smith Ampere. Smith has worked with Ford of Europe since 2007 and already produces a Ford Transit BEV, marketed as the Smith Edison.

A Transit Connect BEV van will be launched in 2010 in North America - the first vehicle to deliver on Ford Motor Company's aggressive electrification strategy announced at this year's Detroit Auto Show.

"The Tourneo Connect BEV concept shows how Ford's collaboration with Tanfield is extending the company's global electric vehicle plan to Europe," said John Fleming, Chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe, "The technology is already available for commercial vehicle applications, and at the 2009 Chicago Show we confirmed that we will launch, with Tanfield as our partner, the Transit Connect van as a full BEV in North America in 2010.

"Although conceptual for now, if there is sufficient interest, this silent, zero emission technology could be applied to the Tourneo Connect quite quickly. We think it would be an ideal solution for taxi use, as a hotel shuttle vehicle or similar inner city application," Fleming added.

"Offering the Ford Connect vehicle family with battery electric power represents the next logical step in our pursuit of even greater fuel economy and sustainability," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford's group vice president of Global Product Development.

"We know a growing number of our fleet clients have expressed interest in electrification as a sustainable mobility solution. By leveraging our global team and asset portfolio, we're able to bring this environmentally friendly, strong 'silent type' quickly to market as a van, and we believe there are enormous possibilities for a Tourneo Connect passenger model as well."

ABOUT SMITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Smith Electric Vehicles is the world's leading manufacturer of zero emission vans and trucks.

Smith produces a range of commercial electric vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weights of between 2,300kg and 13,000kg. The vehicles all have impressive acceleration, top speeds of up to 70mph and a range on one battery charge of 100 miles.

Smith vehicles are zero emission at the point of use, meaning no greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide, but also none of the exhaust air pollutants such as PM10s and nitrous oxide, proved by medical science to take years off the lives of city dwellers.

The Smith product range is designed for intra-urban applications such as home shopping delivery, parcel and post delivery, 3PL logistics, construction, utilities, airports and public sector operations. Smith vehicles are already in operation with major corporations and organisations such as the Royal Mail, Sainsbury's, BSkyB, Carlsberg, DHL, TNT, Scottish & Southern Energy and Balfour Beatty.

Smith has a collaboration agreement with Ford in Europe to develop and produce commercial electric vehicles. In Europe, the Edison van and Ampere light van use the Ford Transit and Ford Transit Connect chassis respectively. This allows Smith to leverage off hundreds of millions of pounds in chassis design development by Ford - and maintain focus on the core electric vehicle technology. This collaboration now extends to North America, where Ford has chosen Smith to electrify the Ford Transit Connect, for launch in 2010. This will be the first vehicle to deliver on Ford's new electrification strategy for North America. It will be badged as a Ford product and sold through select Ford dealerships.

Founded in 1920, Smith has a unique heritage and unparalleled expertise in the manufacture of commercial electric vehicles. Customers are supported by an unrivalled UK-wide service network of engineers, who already maintain over 5,000 vehicles for major fleet operators.

Smith Electric Vehicles is a trading division of The Tanfield Group Plc, which is a profitable, high growth company listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange.

www.smithelectricvehicles.com
www.tanfieldgroup.com

The Smith range:

* Ampere Light Van / Ford Transit Connect

Chassis: Ford Transit Connect
GVW: 2,300kg – 3,000kg
MPH: 70
Payload: 800kg
Availability: All regions

* Edison Panel Van

Chassis: Ford Transit
GVW: 3,500kg – 4,600kg
MPH: 50
Payload: 1,030kg – 1,800kg
Availability: All regions excluding North America

* Edison Chassis Cab

Chassis: Ford Transit
GVW: 3,500kg – 4,600kg
MPH: 50
Payload: 1,240kg – 2,300kg
Availability: All regions excluding North America

* Edison Minibus

Chassis: Ford Transit
GVW: 4,250kg
MPH: 50
Seats: 15
Availability: All regions excluding North America

* Newton truck

Chassis: Avia
GVW: 7,500kg – 12,000kg
MPH: 50
Payload: 3,360kg – 7,300kg
Availability: All regions