A first of its kind electric vehicle came to Rhode Island Monday and the Eyewitness News Green Team was fortunate enough to give it a test drive.
It's very quiet and very green. This vehicle is a purely electric version of the Transit Connect van now sold at Ford dealers.
In collaboration with Azure Dynamics Corporation, the transit connect electric is only the beginning of Ford's desire to go greener. There's no gasoline needed. It's powered by a 28 kilowatt hour lithium ion battery. Just plug it in!
This vehicle has an 80 mile range. A maximum speed of 75 miles per hour. It's charged on a 110 or 240v charge station.
This vehicle has an 80 mile range.... a maximum speed of 75 miles per hour. It's charged on a 110 or 240v charge station.
"The van came to New England Tech in Warwick. Steve Kitchin of New England Tech says they're committed to the sustainability portion of their curriculum." he said.
Students will learn about the van's technology on its stop here in Rhode Island. In the coming months, the school will be adding geothermal heat to the automotive school and offer solar technology courses.
The whole goal is for Ford to bring an electrical strategy to the marketplace starting with the ford transit connect, introducing the Ford Focus and other models in the next 3-5 years.
The Transit Connect electric will be available in the Spring of 2011
