Ford E-Transit Custom Panel Van (2026 - ) Electric review
Out time with the Ford E-Transit Custom proved it’s the electric medium-sized van to beat right now… and will probably be the UK’s future best-selling van
The diesel-powered Ford Transit Custom has been the UK’s best-selling van for so long now that this electric version is most-likely destined to take the ‘best-selling’ mantle, when electrification has settled into being the new normal. And quite right. It’s not hard to understand the Transit Custom’s continued appeal because it does such a good job of balancing price and practicality with a great driving experience. The newer models fitted with the improved 71 kWh battery pack also offer close to 230 miles of range – an increase on the initial models with the 64 kWh batteries which could go for closer to 210 miles. About the only quibble we really have is the clever (too clever for its own good) tilting steering wheel mechanism failed on us and bricked the van requiring a replacement of the whole module and wheel, and the only ‘consider this’ flag we’d hold up right now is the price of its higher trims. Electric vans are more expensive than their diesel equivalents, and the E-Transit Custom is no different in that respect. Prices start at around £44K ex VAT (compared to £33K ex VAT on the diesels), while the Sport trim level panel van we were loaned sits at just over £50K ex VAT – but a good finance or lease deal will break that down. The thing is, you can see and feel where the money goes and that’s why Ford vans dominate the market.
Ford does a lot to secure high green ratings in our reviews, having reduced its wastewater and ensuring its manufacturing plants in Europe operate on 100% carbon-free electricity. Although there are still goals to chase! Specifically, Ford needs to push for a faster green steel supply chain, increase its commitment beyond the current target of 10 per cent near-zero carbon primary aluminum by 2030, and integrate more recycled materials into the vehicle's construction. That said, the Ford E-Transit Custom is an efficient electric van that produces zero tailpipe emissions while providing a strong all-electric range of up to 232 miles (WLTP) if you opt for the larger 71 kWh battery pack.
Cargo & practicality
About the best thing the E-Transit Custom offers drivers is little compromise in load space dimensions and payload carrying capabilities. In terms of dimensions, load volumes on the L1 variants hit 5.8 cubic metres, while the L2s provide up to 6.8 cubic metres. The width between the wheel arches is 1.9 metres and the rear doors open up to 180 degrees… you even get a powered side door on the higher trim levels. But while the diesel Transit Customs can carry close to 1400 kg, the electrics carry less but still over 1000 kg regardless of trim level. It can also tow a braked load of up to 2,300 kg – very useful. And, if you look at the branding on the side of the van, you’ll see the van is fitted with Ford’s ProPower onboard allowing you to power tools and appliances from three-pin plug sockets. So, if the only thing we can say in this section is the electric version carries slightly less than the diesel version you can see where this review is going.
Expert rating: 5/5
Interior
Depending on which model you choose – panel van, double cab, Kombi, Multicab – you’ll find the interior a comfortable and spacious place to be. There’s no drive selector lever on the console, it’s on the right stalk behind the steering wheel, and the parking brake is mounted on the centre dash below the 13-inch touch-screen infotainment system running Ford’s SYNC 4 operating system. It’s all tough fabrics and plastics, perfect for a working vehicle, and somehow still feels as comfortable as a car to drive. The steering wheel is a funny shape, thin in places it should be thick… and it can tilt up into a table if you opt to have it fitted. And our one failed, bricking the entire van and requiring a full replacement of the wheel, module and tilting mechanism before it would even let us flip it into neutral. Things fail, things wear out, it is what it is, but it’s worth knowing it’s a vulnerability. We were told it was the first time most technicians had seen this type of failure, with one registering surprise that it turned the van into a (very heavy) paperweight. Don’t let this deter you from the E-Transit Custom, it’s not even a feature you have to have.
Expert rating: 4/5
Running costs
With the new 71 kWh battery pack fitted, your E-Transit Custom will have up to 232 miles of range at your disposal (WLTP). There are other vans out there with higher ranges, but that range is strong for a medium-sized electric van. Charging at home will cost less than in public – as we all know – with 10 to 80 per cent rapid charges taking around 30 mins and home charging on a wallbox taking close to 10 hours. And the higher acquisition costs can be broken down on finance or a good lease deal. Nuff said.
Expert rating: 4/5
Reliability
The E-Transit Custom vans are all covered by a standard three-year / 100,000-mile warranty (not the longest in-market, certainly not as good as the five-year warranties you get with the Volkswagen eTransporter), with the battery packs covered by their own eight-year / 100,000-mile warranty (standard industry offering). You also get roadside assistance included. Ford vans are known for their reliability and the excellent national dealership network providing aftersales care. The only issue we encountered was the tilting steering wheel system failure, but it was replaced very quickly and the vehicle back on the road within 24 hours.
Expert rating: 4/5
Performance
The move to electric power doesn’t hurt the Transit Custom’s reputation for being a good van to drive. There’s more than enough power from the van’s electric motor to get you away and up to speed. It’s a confidently powerful workhorse. Easy to drive, easy to load, easy to get on with your day. There’s little in the way of wind noise, although you will hear some whine from the motor on occasion. We enjoyed driving it around town because its car-like handling made tighter corners easy to negotiate, and we found it easy to get up to speed on the dual carriageway. What else is there to say?
Expert rating: 4/5
Ride and handling
Perhaps the only quibbles to mention are the soft brakes and some minor lurching when taking off after the hold system is engaged. That’s it. There’s no rolling into corners, no real bouncing or bumping, and no really upsetting noises. Our time with the van showed it to be a comfortable and easy van to drive. Regenerative braking is never too imposing and does a good job at its standard setting of giving you a simulation of engine braking while throwing some charge back into the battery.
Expert rating: 4/5
Safety
A five-star Euro NCAP safety rating speaks volumes in this day and age… especially as the tests are more strict. At entry level you get systems such as pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, road sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera. You also get an always-on rear-view ‘mirror’ display fed from a camera mounted on the rear of the van. Even its bings and bongs are pleasant rather than obnoxious. And the fact the van’s safety systems did brick the vehicle when our tilting steering wheel system failed is a good thing… you can’t drive safely with a steering wheel that flaps about, can you?
Expert rating: 5/5
Equipment
We’ve mentioned pretty much everything of note in this review so far. There’s bags of equipment included from entry level and plenty of optional equipment packs to enhance the E-Transit Custom you choose to drive. This is why we always say Ford vans always feel like a good deal. It’s very hard to be left wanting.
Expert rating: 5/5
Why buy?
You’ll buy the Ford E-Transit Custom because you want to drive the UK’s best-selling light commercial vehicle in electric flavour. You get all the practicality and cabin experience of the diesel van with zero tailpipe emissions. Yeah, you have to pay a bit more for that privilege, but that you don’t have to compromise really at all on the important things (barring price) should see this van on everyone’s consideration list.
