Ford has announced that the electric models Ford Pro E-Transit Custom, E-Tourneo Custom, and E-Transit with extended range now come standard with an innovative heat pump, capable of increasing range in cold weather conditions.
Ford’s new vapor injection heat pump technology provides an efficient way to heat the cabin by harnessing external thermal energy, even at temperatures below -10°C.
According to the brand, heating the cabin by capturing this “free” energy reduces battery energy consumption, allowing drivers to stay warm and comfortable, which in turn translates to a greater volume of energy available in the battery for improved range.
The heat pump system offers greater benefits compared to other heat pump models, using vapor injection to enhance efficiency in both heating and cooling the interiors of the vans. When external temperatures rise above 25°C, the integrated cooling system of the pump can also extract heat from the cabin, reducing the battery energy required for the vehicle’s air conditioning to operate.
During tests conducted in real-world environments and in the lab, Ford engineers concluded that the technology could improve the range of E-Transit models by 7% to 10% compared to a vehicle without this heat pump.
“For companies that use vans, every extra kilometer traveled between charges means less downtime and greater financial gains. We are trying to add every possible kilometer to maximize efficiency and make electric fleets more productive and profitable,” said Ingo Krolewski, supervisor of attributes and climate controls at Ford.
