PHVC E-Transit 15-seat Minibus
John Kendall samples a version of Ford’s first electric LCV, customised to transport 15 people by battery power
PHVC E-Transit 15-seat Minibus
John Kendall samples a version of Ford’s first electric LCV, customised to transport 15 people by battery power
Anyone who lived in the Portsmouth area in the 1970s and 1980s, with an interest in the motor industry, would be familiar with the local Fiat dealer Huxfords of Fareham. The boss was a young man named Paul Huxford, who built up an impressive business, involving dealerships for Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lancia and Lotus.
Jump forward to today and Huxford – now into his 80s – is still active in the industry, alongside his wife Fee, through PHVC – Paul Huxford Vehicle Contracts – still with a base in the Fareham area.
The company not only supplies minibuses but, with its extensive knowledge of the business, converts them too and was the first to produce a 15-seat conversion of the Ford E-Transit. With a clientele including those in the community and education sectors, PHVC has seen growing demand for an electric minibus which would have ready access to the increasing number of Clean Air Zones (CAZ) in cities around the UK.
Van Fleet World is already familiar with the impressive E-Transit, Ford’s first electric LCV and winner of the Van of the Year award in the 2023 Great British Fleet Awards. Ford’s thorough approach to the E-Transit involved a comprehensive re-engineering of the van to convert it to electric power. At the same time, the company completely restructured its LCV business under Ford Pro to prepare it for the coming electric transition.
Against this backdrop, a minibus conversion would need to be top notch to win Ford approval, so the question for PHVC is just how well has the company carried out the conversion? Hopefully, the pictures will provide much of the answer.
The first thing that struck us was the attention to detail. PHVC has taken a quality approach to everything, from the interior lining materials to the seating and the installed windows. Everything fits perfectly and the finish is to a very high standard.
There is no better test for a minibus than to take it out onto the open road, where our deteriorating road surfaces are a potential source of every squeak and rattle. You will need to work hard to find the squeaks and rattles here though. The standard of assembly is such that unwanted sounds are few and far between. The side access step slides effortlessly out to ease entry and exit, while the chosen seating is comfortable and looks as though it will stand up well to a long life in service.
The seating layout is probably recognisable to most minibus operators, with four seats in front of the back doors, three double seats to the offside and two singles on the nearside, providing seating for 12 in the back of the vehicle, plus three seats in the cab. Choosing one of the longer models would provide the same number of seats with additional space for luggage if required.
