Azure Dynamics Corporation has selected Lotus Lightweight Structures, a division of Group Lotus plc, to provide assembly support for the Transit Connect Electric for the European market.
Lotus Lightweight Structures will be responsible for upfitting Azure’s patented ForceDrive battery electric powertrain into Ford Transit Connect gliders from its facility in Worcester, UK, beginning in June 2011. The gliders are shipped from the Ford manufacturing location in Turkey. Lotus Lightweight Structures will provide
all final assembly operations for vehicles bound to the European market.
On a full charge, Transit Connect Electric has a range between 80 km/50
miles and 130 km/80 miles depending on auxiliary power usage and drive cycle. It is
rechargeable using standard European 220/240-volt outlets within 6 to 8 hours. Commercial
fleet vehicles generally return to a central location at the end of a driving cycle making them
perfect for recharging overnight.