Azure Dynamics and Ford announced today that New York Power Authority (NYPA), the nation’s largest state public power organization, has been added to the LEAD customer program for the Ford Transit Connect Electric van.
As a LEAD customer, the Power Authority will receive one of the exclusive supply of Transit Connect Electrics in late 2010 and make possible the purchase of at least nine additional vans in 2011 by some of its governmental customers in Westchester County and New York City.
In addition to becoming a LEAD customer for the Transit Connect Electric, NYPA is working with Ford to help fleet customers learn more about the benefits of electric vehicles and the electrified-vehicle options available to them.
Under its Electric Transportation Program, NYPA provides funding and arranges for grants from other parties in support of the purchase of clean electric-drive vehicles by interested municipalities and governmental agencies in New York State.
To create the Transit Connect Electric, Azure integrates its Force Drive electric powertrain into the Ford Transit Connect. A lithium-ion battery pack from Johnson Controls-Saft supports a range of up to 80 miles (129 km) on a single charge and has a top speed of 75 mph (121 km/h). The battery is rechargeable using either a 240-volt or standard 120-volt outlet.
The LEAD customer program makes the limited supply of 2010 Ford Transit Connect Electric vans available to customers that have demonstrated a commitment to add environmentally responsible vehicles to their fleets. Each LEAD customer agrees to a minimum order of ten Ford Transit Connect Electrics, with one vehicle being delivered in late 2010 and the remainder to be delivered in 2011.
