Norwegian Post becomes first European customer for Transit Connect Electric van with 20-unit purchase; targeting 30% reduction in CO2 by 2015

Norwegian Post Ford Transit Connect Electric. Copyright: Norwegian Post. Click to enlarge.

Norway Post has signed a contract to purchase 20 Transit Connect Electric vehicles, with an option to order more vehicles in the future. Norwegian Post is the largest provider of mail and logistics services and the biggest employer in Norway; the organization is targeting a 30% reduction in its CO₂ emissions by 2015.

With a 28 kWh battery pack from Johnson Controls-Saft, Transit Connect Electric has a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) and a range of up to 130 km (80 miles) on a full charge. Ford and Azure are introducing the Transit Connect Electric in summer 2011.

The Norwegian Post will be an environmental leader in the mail and logistics industry by taking advantage of the latest technology available. In signing a contract for delivery of the new Ford Transit Connect Electric, the Norwegian Post is taking an important step towards its goal of reducing 150.000 tonnes of CO2 annually.

—Dag Mejdell, CEO Norwegian Post

Transit Connect Electric offers a cargo volume of 3.8 m³ and a payload of 500 kg. It can be recharged using standard European 220/240-volt outlets in approximately eight hours.

The Azure Force Drive system includes a liquid-cooled Siemens 3-phase AC induction motor, 300V nominal, that delivers 158 N·m continuous and 235 N·m (peak); a Borg-Warner 31-03 single speed transmission with gear ratio of 8.28:1; an Azure Dynamics inverter; and a 3.3 kW charger. The 28 kWh battery pack comprises 16 modules (192 cells).

Transit Connect Electric builds on an existing relationship between Ford and Azure Dynamics and battery supplier Johnson Controls-Saft. Glider units are shipped from the Ford Otosan manufacturing facility in Kocaeli, Turkey, directly to an Azure-contracted up-fitter for final assembly. The completed Transit Connect Electric vehicles are then sold by Azure Dynamics through a specially-created network of dealerships. The European Transit Connect Electric will be badged with both the Ford Blue Oval and Azure’s Force Drive logo.

Norwegian Post. With its plan to reduce CO₂ emissions by 30% by the end of 2015, Norwegian Post will meet the targets set in the Norwegian parliament’s Climate Settlement.

Norwegian Post has identified 10 specific areas in which CO₂ cuts can be made. These measures cover a wide range, from the use of electric cars to the optimization of driving routes.

80% of the mail distributed in Norway is sent by train when possible. In Trondheim city center, Norwegian Post is introducing mail distribution with alternative vehicles such as bicycles and trolleys.

By 2015, Norway Post aims to replace 1,300 fossil-fuel cars with electric cars and other alternative vehicles.

Source: Green Car Congress