FORD has revealed an electric version of its baby Transit, the Courier which should have a full charge range of around 200 miles when it goes on sale in 2024.

The new E-Transit Courier will be joined by petrol and diesel models and is bigger all round than the current van.

Ford says the new compact van can carry two Euro pallets and has 26 per cent more load volume.

"E-Transit Courier moves its segment up a level with uncompromised EV performance, higher load capacity and fully connected support including end-to-end charging solutions, Ford Pro EâTelematics and uptime-boosting FORDLiive," said Hans Schep, general manager, Ford Pro, Europe.

"Ford Pro's long-standing market leadership gives us unrivalled insight into customers' needs and means we can help them get big productivity from their compact vans with more connectivity and capability than ever before."

The E-Transit Courier will make its public debut at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham from April 18 to 20, 2023, and is scheduled to enter production later in 2024.

The petrol and diesel versions will be coming earlier with deliveries commencing before the end of 2023.

The electric Courier has a 136ps motor with a one-pedal driving ability and Ford says it can be charged at home overnight in 5.7 hours.

From a fast charger 54 miles of range can be added in 10 minutes and a charge to 80 per cent capacity takes 35 minutes.

Full performance and range details will be confirmed closer to the launch in 2024 as will the price of the electric Courier which is expected to start from around £28,000.

Width between the rear wheelarches on the E-Transit Courier is 1.22 metres with a total cargo volume of 2.9 cubic metres. Maximum payload is 700kg with a towing weight of up to 750kg.

The vehicle also features a load-through bulkhead enabling objects of up to 2.6 metres length to be carried.

The all-new model features a "squircle" steering wheel designed to improve leg room and visibility for the driver, as well as a column-mounted gear shifter, push-button ignition and an electronic handbrake to deliver increased configurable storage space.

A "digiboard" instrument panel contains a 12-inch digital cluster and 12-inch centre touchscreen with Ford's latest SYNC 4 system and an optional Office Pack includes a foldaway flat work surface and lighting to make using a laptop, filling in paperwork or taking a break in the cab easier.

The petrol and diesel Couriers will have either a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine developing 123bhp or a 1.5-litre diesel with 99bhp mated to six-speed manual gearboxes. A seven-speed automatic transmission will be offered with the petrol powertrain.