Feb 11, 2009 10:12 AM

Ford plans to market a pure battery electric-powered light commercial vehicle in North America, based on the new Transit Connect global commercial vehicle platform.

Transit Connect with battery electric power is the initial offering in Ford’s aggressive new electric vehicle plan to bring pure battery-powered vehicles, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids to market. It will have a range of up to 100 miles.

To start, during the next four years, Ford will introduce in North America:

•Transit Connect battery electric commercial vehicles in 2010.

•New battery electric small cars in 2011.

•Next-generation hybrid vehicles in 2012.

•Plug-in hybrid versions in 2012.

Transit Connect has been designed, engineered, and manufactured by Ford of Europe "on a dedicated global commercial vehicle platform to beat tough, light commercial vehicle durability standards," said officials.