Ford Transit cargo and passenger vans for the year 2015-16 will be the first to get XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System
XL Hybrids, Inc., Boston, has earned a good name in fleet electrification solutions for municipal and commercial fleets. They also claim to be the leaders in their own field and they have achieved another milestone launching the XL3 Hybrid Electric Drive System for the Ford Transit van making it the first ever hybrid electric Transit van introduced in the North American auto market.
This new system will enable fleets to boost low-end torque and increase fuel economy. It will also enhance the sustainability on this new platform offered in Ford’s top-selling van.
Dr. Edward Lovelace is the chief technology officer for XL Hybrids, he stated that “The Ford Transit is a much-anticipated addition to XL Hybrids’ product lineup as Ford fleet customers take more and more steps to enhance fuel economy and sustainability,” he further added “The Ford Transit unibody construction poses significant challenges for alternative ‘fueled’ vehicle upfits, but because of the simple compact design of the XL3 technology we were able to integrate our hybrid electric system to the Transit without any impact to cargo or passenger space.”
It doesn’t matter what wheelbase or roof height Ford Transit you own, this new hybrid system is compatible with all of them and offers 20 percent fuel and CO2 savings on 3.7 litre EcoBoost petrol engines.
It takes about six hours to get the XL3 hybrid system fitted into the vehicle, adding less than 400 pounds to the weight. The XL hybrid is offers a warranty of three-years or 75,000 miles for the XL3 hybrid powertrain components while leaving the Ford OEM factory warranty intact.