Ford Teams Up With Azure Dynamics
Published:30-October-2009
By Staff Reporter
To deliver battery electric commercial van in 2010
Ford Motor has announced that Azure Dynamics (AZD) has joined in a collaborative effort to deliver a battery electric Ford Transit Connect van for the US and Canadian markets in 2010. Azure will integrate its Force Drive battery electric drive train in the Transit Connect van for commercial fleet and retail use.
Ford said that the collaboration with Azure Dynamics for the Transit Connect BEV would build on the existing business relationship between Ford and Azure as well as their shared experience with battery supplier, Johnson Controls-Saft.
As reported, the Transit Connect BEV will be built on Ford's global commercial vehicle platform as part of the company's One Ford global product vision. It is the first of four electrified vehicles from Ford that will become available over the next three years in the US and Canada including: battery electric Transit Connect van in 2010; battery electric Ford Focus passenger car in 2011; next generation hybrid vehicle in 2012; and Plug-In hybrid vehicle in 2012.
Azure Dynamics develops hybrid electric and electric drive technology for shuttle buses and commercial trucks, such as the Balance Hybrid Electric, which is built on the Ford E-450 cutaway and strip chassis for the medium duty commercial vehicle segment. It has selected Johnson Controls-Saft as the supplier for lithium-ion battery cells and battery packs for the Transit Connect BEV. Azure Dynamics and Ford both currently utilize Johnson Controls-Saft battery technology for other products.
Scott Harrison, CEO of Azure Dynamics, said: "The opportunity to work with Ford on the Transit Connect BEV is a breakthrough advancement for us at Azure and for the light commercial vehicle market. For Azure, it's an important evolution of our existing relationship with Ford. From an industry standpoint, we are seeing delivery fleet and utility vehicle operators move to smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. The Transit Connect BEV will come to market at an ideal time to meet this growing trend."
