SEA Electric has marked a turning point in its company history with the first Ford F-59 100% electric van in production at Ford’s Detroit Chassis Plant in Detroit, Michigan.
Business is booming for the Australian automotive technology company as it continues to assemble 100% electric-powered vans, commuter busses, and light/medium duty rigid truck models using its proprietary SEA-Drive® power-systems.
SEA Electric has now started working closely with leading American truck companies Ford, Isuzu, and Chevrolet to engineer and locally assemble SEA Electric power-systems directly to their models.
“This is an exciting step forward for SEA Electric’s global footprint and a positive result for our USA operations who are currently working towards fulfilling several orders in the pipeline,” said SEA Electric CEO, Tony Fairweather.
The F-59 EV is being built on a Morgan Olson Walk-in Van body and will be deployed in the American Fall of 2019 for delivery routes in the greater Detroit area with a leading package delivery company.
“We’re confident the fleet customer will love the overall performance of this SEA-Drive® powered delivery van. We anticipate a very successful trial which will lead to substantial follow-on orders from fleet customers within the next 6- 12 months,” said SEA Electric’s Regional Director – North America David Brosky.
The van will be powered by a SEA Drive® 120b power-system and boasts 150kW of continuous power and 250kW maximum power, and 2500 Nm maximum torque. With a range of up to 220 miles (350km), zero emissions, fewer moving parts and lower running costs, the 100% electric van is perfect for short stop-start delivery runs.
Charge time for the batteries is four to six hours using a 19.2kW single phase 240V on board charger.
“We see a growing interest, within our portfolio of walk-in step van customers, to include electrified work trucks within their fleets,” said Morgan Olson’s Director of Business Development, John Knudtson.
“We’re pleased to be working with Sea Electric on this new Ford F59 electric chassis. In the past, we’ve built numerous step van bodies on various alternative powertrains and are pleased with how our body has adapted to the new Sea Electric platform.”
SEA Electric head office operates from a facility in Melbourne with plans underway for a large-scale assembly facility in the Latrobe Valley in regional Victoria.
