Ford has been making some significant strides when it comes to the future production of electric vehicles. Ford seems to be making all the right moves, so if retraining engineers to focus on electric vehicles is their new direction, then expect other manufacturers to also follow their lead.

The decision to retrain Ford engineers to work on the electric vehicle development has begun in Dearborn MI. The first series of courses that engineers will attend will help prepare them for the future, and introduce them to new tools that are being developed. They’ll be working alongside companies like Azure Dynamics and Johnson Controls who along with Ford will be producing the highly anticipated battery electric Transit Connect van.

Starting in January 2010, the engineers will begin the courses in preparation of new manufacturing, engineering and testing procedures for working with battery electric vehicles, including Ford’s Transit Connect. The Transit Connect battery electric commercial van in 2010 promises to be the ideal fleet vehicle, which has virtually no competition in the US as of yet.

The use of an electric commercial vehicle is a wise move by Ford in getting a vehicle on the market that has significant potential to replace older and less reliable work vans for various businesses. Businesses spend a considerable amount for fuel, maintenance and repair of fleet vehicles so it makes good sense to provide these vans to companies like electrical, plumbing and other types of uses.

Ford partnered with Azure Dynamics to supply their Force Drive battery electric drive train for the Transit Connect. Azure Dynamics will use Johnson Controls, the worlds largest battery manufacturer, to provide the lithium-ion batteries for the Transit. The range is estimated to be approximately 80 miles on a full charge.

On December 10th 2009, The Detroit News named Ford’s Transit Connect Truck of the Year for 2009.