Ford Transit Smart Energy

The innovation concept of Ford Transit Smart Energy shows new approach to increase in a run of electric vehicles

• Ford developed completely electric concept of Transit Smart Energy for testing of technologies which will help to increase run range on one charging at electric vehicles;

• Use of the innovation thermal pump allows to save up to 20% of a run due to more effective heating of salon. Other unique features of a concept are the "smart" sliding door with the electric drive activated from the smartphone, solar panels on a roof and the innovation ambient illumination influencing perception of temperature at the subconscious level;

• The concept is provided in a minibus format as many-placed transport represents the greatest complexity in terms of a problem of increase in a run on one charging. Traditional methods of heating alone of salon can reduce an electric vehicle run by 50%.

2019

In April, 2019 Ford provided a concept of Transit Smart Energy – the electrified minibus.

While already 40% of Europeans say that their following car, most likely, will be electric *, electric vehicle run range on one charging still strongly depends on use of the heater of salon. Researches showed that use of a system of climate control in the electric vehicle on accumulators in cold weather can considerably – up to 50% – to reduce the range of its run **.

In comparison with the cars used for transportation of goods, many-placed vehicles, such as minibuses require much more energy for maintenance of comfortable temperature in salon. This energy is provided with the high-voltage battery and seriously influences an electric vehicle run.

Go Further shown on an action in Amesterdam is capable to pass completely functioning concept of the electric vehicle Transit Smart Energy to 150 km after 4-hour charging. At the same time in construction of the car energy saving and energy-generating innovations – from solar panels to systems using selected during the operation of the engine and transmission warmly are applied.

"Considering frequent opening of doors, large volume of the heated space and big weight, the minibus represents the most difficult object for efforts for maximizing a run of the electric vehicle on one charging and for this reason we selected it for creation of the new Transit Smart Energy Concept concept car, – Kilian Vas chapter of the project in division "Architecture of the car" in Ford of Europe noted. – When developing this concept we found several smart methods of power saving which in the future will help to improve experience of use of the electrified cars by our clients".

Developed by engineers of the technical center Ford in Merkenikh (Germany), the concept of Transit Smart Energy Concept represents Ford Transit with the electric battery and the electrical power unit. In the minibus the same transmission, as in the commercial electric vehicle StreetScooter WORK XL which is also developed in cooperation with Ford is used.

On the conceptual minibus the following innovations increasing energy efficiency and allowing to increase a run on one charging are for the first time tested:

• The innovation system of the thermal pump using heat generated by components of the power unit during the work and also outboard air and air in a cabin for decrease in power consumption on heating to 65% that allows to increase a run on one charging by 20%;
• The sliding door with the electric drive which opens half for decrease in thermal losses and can be activated by the passenger by means of the smartphone or the tablet. Heating, ventilation and conditioning of salon at the time of opening of a door are turned off;
• The warmed-up passenger chairs and surfaces allowing to control the local temperature, but not temperature in all salon that leads to the increased power consumption;
• Six solar panels installed on a roof which charge the 12-volt battery feeding the system of heating of seats, illumination of salon and other onboard electrical systems including a wireless charger for mobile devices of passengers;
• The screen from polycarbonate between a passenger door and seats. It in addition reduces heat losses and protects passengers from rainfall;
• The ventilated windows with double glasses reducing the area of contact with a cold air and providing additional heat insulation;
• The ambient illumination which is automatically changing color depending on temperature in salon. When heating joins red, when cooling – blue that has a subconscious impact on perception of temperature by passengers;
• The heat-insulated roof and a floor in a back part of salon which are in addition reducing heat losses.

The driver can trace temperature on each seat using the screen, similar to the tablet, located on the central console. Information on the general saved energy is also output to this display. Two screens located behind the driver allow passengers to keep track of arrangement of the car, to learn about sights on the route course, to browse the latest news and weather forecasts.

Future iterations of the concept car will allow the driver to control heating and cooling of each seat separately and to disconnect unoccupied chairs from the system of heating and cooling. There will be a function of auto disconnect of climatic installation of a seat similar to that are used for shutdown of safety cushions in case of absence of the passenger on modern cars.

Road tests of Ford Transit Smart Energy will begin in 2019 after end of tests in an aerodynamic tunnel. Work on Ford Transit Smart Energy is a part of new strategy for increase in efficiency and increase in range of a run of the electrified cars. Earlier this year the company announced that each Ford model since new Focus will receive the electrified version. It concerns both new models, and the new versions existing. From Ford Fiesta to Ford Transit, each model range of Ford will locate hybrid or completely electric version.

Electric vehicles