Announcement of Ford’s small electric van lends thought a passenger edition might also join it.

ANNOUNCEMENT from Ford New Zealand of intent to sell an electric version of a new small van unveiled internationally overnight requires patience from potential buyers.

The E-Transit Courier that, despite its name, is also being made with fossil fuel engines – though those variants are not being considered for our market – does not enter production until late 2024.

The smaller brother to the mid-sized E-Transit Custom and full-sized E-Transit that have already been signed up for Kiwi duty is coming out of a plant in Romania alongside the NZ-market Ford Puma crossover, with which it shares a platform.

Puma is also expected to go fully electric next year, but Ford NZ has yet to say if it will adopt that model.

That the production schedule for E-Transit Courier prioritises the combustion variants – in 1.0-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel - reminds that, as much as electric is key to Ford’s long-term success, it also has markets with greater desire for fossil-fuelled products. They’ll get the pump-reliant types from later this year.

As much as Ford NZ will see potential for the commercial variant, it’s possible they could also be considering the new van in its impending passenger format.

Media in Europe have reported that this new model, which will reprise the Tourneo nameplate that was seen briefly in NZ last year, will also configure with the EV option.

Its role is to be Ford's cheapest dedicated passenger car in Europe following the imminent demise of the Fiesta small hatch, according to the website for UK magazine Autocar.

Full technical details of the EV have yet to revealed closer to launch, but Ford has confirmed it is powered by a 100kW/ 290Nm motor on the front axle, can reach a top speed of 144kmh and can charge at 100kW for a 10-80 percent top-up in less than 35 minutes.

The new baby Transit features a 2900-litre cargo bay and the electric has a 700kg payload and 750kg towing capacity. There is also a 44-litre frunk for stowing charging cables and other smaller items and an optional load-through bulkhead that allows the Courier to carry items up to 1.8m long.

Up front, there's a completely new dashboard modelled on the design used in Ford's latest passenger car line-up, with a 12.0in digital instrument cluster and same-sized touchscreen.

Ford New Zealand managing director Simon Rutherford said the model will moves its segment up a level with uncompromised EV performance, higher load capacity and fully connected support.

“Ford New Zealand’s continued leadership of the commercial market gives us unrivalled insight into customers’ needs and means we can help them maximise productivity from their compact vans with more connectivity and capability than ever.”