A new version of Fords smallest van the Courier landed in the first half of 2024 & it’s just been joined by the electric E-Courier. Ford are banking on attracting more customers from the sector above, where currently the Transit Connect sits, many of whom need a larger van but not as big as the Connect as well as appealing to the ultra-compact van sector customers who may occasionally need more space.
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Specs
Practicality
Access to the cargo area is via twin rear barn doors & a single sliding side door although a second door on the opposite side is available as an option.The cargo area measures 1,253mm high, the rear door opening measures 1,235mm wide by 1,120mm high, while the sliding door has a gap measuring 528mm wide & 1,069mm high. The load lip is a low 602mm. And there’s a front trunk large enough to store your charging cables.
What else is different ?
Inside
The Courier Van has been built on the same platform as the Ford Puma, so utilises much of the same tech inside. There’s a new digital instrument cluster, a 12″ infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity & steering wheel controls for the audio & cruise control functions. To start the engine, a start button is engaged with a press whilst your foots on the brake. And you change gears via a right side steering wheel stalk. 
There’s a handy wireless phone charger located below the touchscreen which is larger than you’ll find in a petrol or diesel Courier. Two centre binnacle drinks holders & a storage space behind also feature, as does a glove box, a small documents holder, slim door pockets & a storage shelf above the passengers heads.
There’s a wide range of adjustment for the driver’s seat, so it’s easy to get comfortable. The switchgear is shared with Ford passenger cars so is of good quality as well. There’s a Ford Pass Connect Modem built in & the Courier therefore has the connectivity to allow it to be managed by the owner or fleet manager via Fords Pro Digital fleet ecosystem.
Safety
High on both versions. ABS, stability control, traction control, roll stability control, tyre pressure monitors, driver & passenger airbags, lane assist, driver alertness warning, rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, cruise control with intelligent speed limiter & a wrong-way assist. Options include rear cross traffic alert, a rear-view camera, Adaptive Cruise Control, blind-spot warning & lane-change assist.
Charging
100kW DC charging will help speed things along when you’re fast charging as does the small 43kWh battery. On our Rolec home smart charger, we can add 38kWh in a five hour period from midnight to 5am at cost of just 9p/kWh, meaning an almost full battery for just £3.30. A petrol or diesel Courier will set you back ten times the cost for a similar 180 mile return. We use a Rolec home smart charger. http://rolecserv.com
Driving
The shortish dimensions & squat wheel base make the Courier an enjoyable van to drive. There’s massive amounts of headroom & with just two front seats the cabin feels very spacious. The driving position is A1 & the large windows & windscreen give the driver excellent forwards & sideways visibility. The high torque & swift acceleration make it a ton of fun to drive especially in town, in our case a 75km drive around the outskirts of Barcelona taking in winding, hilly roads with hairpins as well as the mean streets of downtown Barca.
It’s all done in near silence too, although the vans upright stance does add some wind noise in the cabin. The wireless connectivity worked quickly & the wireless phone chargers is a plus as well. It’s an easy van to handle & is great for nipping in & out of traffic. The reversing camera displayed on the screen is very useful as are the two large wing mirrors.
We did take in a shortish motorway section with the Adaptive Cruise Control making this easy as well. After a few hours, some press vehicles can leave me with backache, but not the Courier, so kudos to Ford for the comfortable & easily adjustable seats.
Pros
Increased carrying capacity over its predecessor is very useful & it’s almost as large inside as the Connect. The car-like cabin & controls, make daily driving enjoyable & not a chore. Long journeys are comfortable & relaxing & in town it’s a great performer. If you have a home charger it’s cheap to fill up.
Cons
Much more expensive than an ICE Courier. A 182 mile range may not work for all. Only one length & just two front seats. Some competitors offer slightly more carrying capability & a longer range.
Verdict
If you need a small electric van that will take two Euro pallets & drives very much like a small car, then the E-Courier Van ticks all the right boxes. Build quality is very good, whilst the on-board tech, connectivity & safety are all first rate. Whilst it’s not quite as practical as the ICE Courier, it will be cheaper to run, as long a you can make a 182 mile driving range work for your business.
Ford Pro is there to help your transition to an electric van that much smoother & is well worth considering be it for just a few or hundreds of E-Couriers. We suggest you try one & you may never look back.
Our favourite small electric van 4.75/5
