Ford Transit Joins National Grid

By: Andy Hodges
07/12/2009 12:18 PM ET

Ford Motor Company has reached an agreement with National Grid to provide a fleet of over 3,000 Ford Transit vehicles. The Transit vehicles will be used for service calls and meter maintenance for the next three years. National Grid is one of the world’s biggest utility companies.

“The new Transit is more refined and car-like,” said National Grid fleet operations manager Gary Foster. “It’s a very diverse range that offers well-proven reliability, with improved ergonomics and driveability.”

Each year its engineers attend 600,000 emergencies and 80,000 gas leaks. Ford Connects and Transit 280s provide a first-response service for for calls and excavations requiring replacement and electricity maintenance. The National Grid vehicles, which are purchased outright, are expected to cover up to 18,000 miles a year.

Ford Motor Company Upgrades Transit

Ford recently released more more specifics regarding its new Ford Motor Company Transit commercial van. The Ford Transit now has the ECOnetic technology to lower carbon emissions. It has a Stage 5 emission level and can achieve up to 29 mpg.

The Ford Transit ECOnetic is priced around $25,000 in Britain and is based on the front-wheel drive Transit 280 panel van with short wheelbase. It is powered by a 2.2-litre 115PS Duratorq TDCi engine and runs on diesel. However, this vehicle is similar to the 2010 Ford Connect which will soon be available throughout the United States.

Transit Connect Specifications

The Transit Connect is a spacious fuel-efficient alternative to larger commercial vehicles and was first unveiled at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. It is powered by a Duratec 2.0-liter dual-overhead cam (DOHC) four-cylinder engine. The Transit also has several design enhancements including the grille and interior touches. It is probably the best fuel efficient commercial van that will hit the market.

“We’re offering small business owners a real choice to meet their needs, instead of asking them to pull seats out of minivans or compromise on one or more of their needs,” Ford Motor Company vice president of Global Product Development Derrick Kuzak said in a statement.