Item: Ford Transit Custom PHEV van
Rating: 4
Author: Steve Huntingford

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Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

There’s one major hurdle when it comes to owning a Transit Custom PHEV: its purchase price. It costs almost 85% more than the diesel equivalent. In the long term, though, it'll be&nbsp;will be far cheaper to run, with lower servicing costs than on a diesel and smaller fuel bills, provided you charge the batteries regularly.&nbsp;

The PHEV is also exempt from the London congestion charge and, due to growing anti-diesel sentiment and increasing interest in green alternatives, the PHEV is also predicted to have stronger residual values than a regular Transit Custom.

For all the latest van reviews, news, advice, and videos visit our dedicated van section&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/vans">here</a>

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The Transit Custom PHEV has four driving modes. In EV Auto mode, the vehicle will automatically decide for itself if it will run with the motor being fed with electrical power from the battery or supplied by the engine. EV Now mode runs the vehicle purely on the batteries, and in contrast EV Later mode prevents the battery from being depleted so its power reserves can be used at a later date. EV Charge uses the engine to power the motor and charge the battery at the same time; this enables the engine to rev up to 5000rpm, which provides more power but can also get quite noisy.

Like all electric powertrains,&nbsp;the immediate surge of&nbsp;power from the electric motor means the Transit Custom PHEV feels fast off the line, but that burst of acceleration is short-lived. Although the van will surge forwards initially, there’s not enough thrust for overtaking once you’re on the move.&nbsp;

That 35-mile claimed pure electric range isn’t too optimistic; you can expect around 28 miles of zero-emission driving when running in the EV Now mode with a load on board.&nbsp;

Of course, electric-only driving isn’t the only option, so&nbsp;there’s none of the range anxiety you get from a pure electric vehicle. In EV Auto mode the van will do around 40mpg, which is better fuel economy than the regular diesel Transit Custom can offer.&nbsp;

The battery charged by not only the petrol engine&nbsp;but also by a regenerative braking system. This recovers energy that would otherwise be lost during braking and converts it into electrical power, with&nbsp;a standard mode and a more severe one for more intensive regeneration. Both modes slow the vehicle down effectively;&nbsp;if you plan well ahead, using the brake pedal can be a relatively rare necessity.

Some of the biggest household names including Sky, Royal Mail and Vodafone are responsible for helping to fine tune the Ford Transit Custom PHEV.

Twenty prototype vehicles were sent out to operators in London for a 12-month trial period. After completing more than 150,000 miles, 75% of which were carried out on electric-only power while in central London, the production ready plug-in hybrid Transit van has gone on sale.&nbsp;

The 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine of the Transit Custom PHEV is not connected to the wheels; instead it provides electrical power for the 93kW electric motor that drives the van.

Charge is stored in a 13.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which can store enough energy for a zero-emission range of 35 miles. This extends to 310 miles when the range-extender engine is being used. The batteries can be charged up in 4.3 hours using a 3Kw domestic plug or 2.7 hours using a 7Kw charger.

The rear of the Transit Custom PHEV is the same as other versions of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/transit-custom/van/review/n18288">Transit Custom</a>, so the maximum load volume is 6m3. The payload capacity is reduced slightly to 1130kg.&nbsp;

Just one size of vehicle is available, a standard height short-wheelbase model (L1H1), while three trim levels, Base, Trend and Limited are available. You can also get a kombi van, but only in Trend trim, and there is an MPV version with up to eight seats.

Don't forget, whichever van you decide suits your needs, we can help you find the best leasing deals for personal or business use through the free&nbsp;<a href="https://whatcar.com/car-leasing/">What Car? Leasing</a>&nbsp;section, which has a wide range of deals on many makes and models.

On the inside, there’s little to distinguish the PHEV from the regular Transit Custom, until you look at the dials in the instrument cluster. The most obvious difference is that you get two “fuel” gauges. The left-hand gauge tells you how much charge is left in the battery, and the right hand dial is for the petrol level.&nbsp;

The rev counter has been replaced by a large dial that shows instantaneous read-outs for battery regeneration or usage, with a green section to show when you are recovering energy and a blue section to illustrate that you are expending energy.&nbsp;

There’s also a button beside the steering wheel that lets you toggle between the various driving modes.

The Transit Custom has an exceptionally smart and comfortable interior, with&nbsp;the option of an 8-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash. There's also plenty of storage compartments, although those&nbsp;on top of the dash are open so not ideal for storing valuables. The door bins are split-level with a smaller top section storage area and a deep lower portion that’s big enough for a water bottle.

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

TRANSIT CONNECT

Cheaper to run than a diesel Transit, with a range of EV driving modes, but seriously expensive to buy.

Ford Transit Custom PHEV

The Transit Custom PHEV is only available in one body size, and that’s the smallest in the Transit Custom model line-up. This gives you a&nbsp;maximum load length of&nbsp;2554mm, with a 1775mm width and 1350mm between the wheel arches.&nbsp;

The rear doors open to 180-deg but can be locked out at 90-deg thanks to a special hinge, and there’s a single side loading door with a 1030mm opening.&nbsp;

Ford says the Transit Custom PHEV is no heavier than the standard van, but its payload is slightly reduced at 1130kg. This is to accommodate&nbsp;the extra weight of an uprated front axle, made necessary by all the electrical components being located at the front end.

Its 60g/km average CO2 emissions make the Transit Custom PHEV a better choice for the environmentally conscious van owner who can’t quite make a full EV fit their needs. The range-extender hybrid allows sensible real world mileage with some zero-emission running, but it comes at a very high price.


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On the inside, there’s little to distinguish the PHEV from the regular Transit Custom, until you look at the dials in the instrument cluster. The most obvious difference is that you get two “fuel” gauges. The left-hand gauge tells you how much charge is left in the battery, and the right hand dial is for the petrol level. ,The rev counter has been replaced by a large dial that shows instantaneous read-outs for battery regeneration or usage, with a green section to show when you are recovering energy and a blue section to illustrate that you are expending energy. ,There’s also a button beside the steering wheel that lets you toggle between the various driving modes.The Transit Custom has an exceptionally smart and comfortable interior, with the option of an 8-inch touchscreen in the centre of the dash. There's also plenty of storage compartments, although those on top of the dash are open so not ideal for storing valuables. The door bins are split-level with a smaller top section storage area and a deep lower portion that’s big enough for a water bottle.,

Review of Ford Transit Custom PHEV van interior by the expert What Car? team. Compare in car entertainment system, driving comfort and visibility with similar cars.

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