Lightning Systems Increases Range Of Its Electric Ford Transit To 150 Miles
Lightning Systems announced this week that it is adding a longer range version of its popular Ford Transit 350HD vans that sports 150 miles of all-electric range. The new variant joins the 50-mile and 100-mile variants that started shipping last month.
Lightning Systems paired the longer range build with DC Fast charging which acts as a force multiplier, allowing it to be used in far more applications, including supporting round-the-clock operations
“The new 150-mile LightningElectric Ford Transit provides an answer for our customers who need more range for longer cargo and shuttle routes,” said Tim Reeser, chief executive officer, Lightning Systems. “This longer range, combined with an industry-first 50 kW DC Fast Charge capability, means customers can use the vehicle for 3-shift operations and long-distance routes.”
The electrified version of Ford’s popular Transit vans brings meaningful improvements in fuel cost to the table with an estimated 61 MPGe in the city and 66 MPGe on the highway. Compared to its fossil fuel fired counterpart which nets an uninspiring 14 MPG, going electric looks even more attractive.
Lightning Systems offers its LightningElectric powertrain for Ford’s popular Transit 350HD that fills the engine bay with the inverter, DC to DC converter, battery coolant radiator, electric motor and transmission. The space formerly occupied by the gas tank has been replaced with modern energy storage containers: batteries.
The 50- and 100-mile range versions of the vehicle were tested against the California Air Resources Board’s standards which demonstrated that both were able to travel farther than claimed. “Our team worked hard to complete CARB’s rigorous testing and approval processes,” said Brian Johnston, director of regulatory affairs, Lightning Systems.
“We were very pleased with the test results that rated the 100-mile system at 109 miles and 1.61 miles per kilowatt hour. This is great news for fleets looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint and eliminate the maintenance and service required by diesel and gasoline vehicles.” In California, significant rebates are available for the vehicles, to the tune of $50,000 to $65,000 per vehicle that takes the edge off of the initial purchase price.
Source: Lightning Systems
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