Utility adds Ford EV vans to fleet

Aug. 15, 2011
Detroit Edison, a subsidiary of gas and electric conglomerate DTE Energy, is adding four Ford Motor Co. all-electric Transit Connect vans to its fleet for use by field crews in repair and maintenance and operations for electrical lines and other equipment throughout its electric distribution system

Detroit Edison, a subsidiary of gas and electric conglomerate DTE Energy, is adding four Ford Motor Co. all-electric Transit Connect vans to its fleet for use by field crews in repair and maintenance and operations for electrical lines and other equipment throughout its electric distribution system.

“The addition of these all-electric Transit Connects to our fleet will help Detroit Edison advance the use of electric vehicles in a couple of ways,” said Steve Kurmas, Detroit Edison’s president & COO, in a statement.

“First, we will learn firsthand how these vehicles perform in day-to-day field operations and how we can make the best use of their unique characteristics,” he noted. “Second, they will help us learn more about how the use of electric vehicles by consumers and businesses will impact the electrical system and what utilities need to do to support adoption of these vehicles.”

Fitted with a “Force Drive” battery electric powertrain made by Azure Dynamics and featuring Johnson Controls-Saft’s advanced lithium-ion battery technology, Ford’s all-electric Transit Connect is expected to offer Detroit Edison a range of 50 to 80 mi. per full charge, and will be rechargeable using either 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlets.

Sponsored Recommendations

Way Beyond Weight: 5 Ways Truck Weights Affect Fleet Operations

Truck weights affect everything from highway safety and operational costs to back-office efficiency. Here’s how.

Heavy-Duty Maintenance Checklist

A maintenance checklist can help ensure you hit everything necessary during an inspection. Check out our free downloadable checklist to help streamline your repairs.

Five Ways a Little Data Can Save Your Company Millions

While most trucking and logistics companies rely on cellular to keep their work fleet connected, satellite has the ability to connect anywhere and through small data transmission...

Fleet Case Study: 15% YOY Growth for ITDS

Learn how this small trucking company scaled significantly and maintained outstanding customer service without adding additional people. Sylectus TMS can automate operations and...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of FleetOwner, create an account today!