I note previous posts date 2021. Hopefully this means all issues resolved but maybe not ...

I bought my 2019 Transit PHEV to replace a diesel VW Transporter. I chose the Transit partly because the Transporter was no longer as solid as it used to be and VW had lied about mlileage so I no lonnger felt brand loyalty. At that time it was the only hybrid panel van on the market and fully electric only had a range for round town use. Range anxiety on longer trips ruled out a full EV and even now I would be wary.

My intention (as with a succession of previous Transporters ) was to have a camper van that could be striped of fittings for use as a panel van for work. The altlernative was to keep the transporter for camping and work and get an electic car as well. We decided we wanted just the one vehicle.

The van was converted in two stages - first the windows and tracked removable seating fitted, then the kitchen and elevating roof. the seats can be removed though the kitchen unit is fixed.

I always use the regenerative braking. It adds a few miles but means I only ever toucb the brakes when coming to a halt 

The good news

It is lovely to drive on full electric, smooth and silent with great acceleration It starts in EV as default mode and that does for most of the daily driving. For longer journeys (once a week maybe) I switch to "EV Later" until I get to the destination city when I go back to EV. This is to do with pollution. I only use charge on the go  mode if battery is low and I'm heading into an  urban area. Motorways are fine. I can cruise all day at speed limit but I usually find a truck going my speed and tuck in behind with cruise control and listen to radio. Noise from engine ("generator") is only an issue when you charge on the go or going up a steep hill.

We have camped in Europe, driving from Holland to Spain and of course on these distances EV is pretty irrelevant except occasional vists to campsite or town when, if you dont want to pollute, you might have to top up through charge on the go before you get there.

The Bad News

The promised Range is pure fantasy. I have seen 35 miles on the display once or twice but 24 is more usual. Recent cold weather has dropped it below 20. I have not idea what algorithm decides what a 100% charge (I have a charger at home and charge it daily overnight) will achieve but I have never been able to discern any obvious logic - the effect of rain or snow seems to vary arbitrarily and anyway how does it guess in advance how well or badly I am going to drive - or whether my wife will want to warm her backside with the heated seat. No-one at Ford or the dealership seems to know either.

My exerience with batteries - computers phones etc - leads me to expect the battery to deteriorate over time. Too early to say yet but I have spent a lot on the conversion so will keep it going for as long as I can. At worst it will still get me to the shops on EV while on longer trips it will just effectively be petrol driven. Il would probably lose a lot on resale if I had to sell it now.

Finally I have had one breakdown when the charger failed to operate fully . With help from the AA I managed to limp home from the Lake District though the M62 at night at 40mph was a bit worrying.  It was resolved by a software fix.

There is now a recall notice out which will mean a new motor. Still to be organised but at least Ford have promised no cost to me and a courtesy car. We will see.

CONCLUSION

I dont regret buying this but I went in knowing the risk of being an 'early adopter'  and that my using the vehicle both as a camper and a work van is not normal. Just remember, when making your decision, dont believe the sales figures. Keep your expectations low and you wont be disappointed

 

Stick with Diesel👍

Save the planet and buy a diesel. 👍

21 minutes ago, unofix said:

Save the planet and buy a diesel. 👍

Euro6c Diesels are very clean, stop reading the Guardian

You could eat your dinner off my tailpipes (OH! MATRON!) they're spotless

1 minute ago, DaveT70 said:

Euro6c Diesels are very clean, stop reading the Guardian

You could eat your dinner off my tailpipes (OH! MATRON!) they're spotless

Not when there cold. My eyes water from the fumes when cold. And no I'm not sat at the tail pipe. 

1 minute ago, DaveT70 said:

Euro6c Diesels are very clean, stop reading the Guardian

I know, that's why I drive a 2.0 EcoBlue.

Since successive UK governments have spent the last 30 years brain washing me, and forcing me to buy and drive a diesel it must be correct 🤣

We have a runabout 1.0 ecoboost phev custom and that's not given us any problems in 30k miles/ 12 months. Probably doesn't get above 30mph though. 

2 minutes ago, unofix said:

Since successive UK governments have spent the last 30 years brain washing me, and forcing me to buy and drive a diesel it must be correct 🤣

It actually is now, much cleaner than Petrol Euro 6

Wasn't in 2000, no

VW ruined diesel for everyone