The transition to electric vehicles is happening not only in the passenger car market but also in the funeral industry. This is due to the fact that hearses usually travel short distances and an electric vehicle’s smoothness, near-silence, and lack of emissions make them suitable for solemn occasions.
Coleman Milne, a British hearse manufacturer, has introduced its new electric hearse, the Etive, which is based on the Ford Mustang Mach-E. The company also offers an electric coffin carrier based on the Tesla Model S. However, the Mustang version is more visually striking. Whether this is an appropriate trait for a hearse is debatable, as the focus should be on the deceased and not the vehicle.
The sleek, coupe-like roofline of the Ford Mustang Mach-E may seem out of place on a traditional hearse, but it actually works well in creating a clear distinction between the front passenger compartment for the driver and coffin bearers and the deck in the back.
The Etive hearse offers various options such as a power lift tailgate, a full-size sliding deck, illuminated signage, and a slide-out under-draw deck. Coleman Milne also offers a limousine version of the Mach-E, featuring seven seats and an additional 4.5 inches of height, which must make it quite striking, though no images have been released yet.
Both the Etive hearse and the limousine version of the Mach-E are powered by a 75 kWh battery, which provides a range of up to 200 miles before needing to be recharged. This range is less than the standard Mach-E’s 273 miles, however, the battery can be charged at a rate of up to 115 kW, allowing it to be fully charged in 38 minutes.
The driver can also use the Ford SYNC infotainment system and 15.5-inch tombstone-shaped display, which is also found in standard Mach-E, as well as keyless entry and a rear-view camera. If Coleman Milne were to increase the size of the rear compartment, there would be enough space to carry a gas-powered Mustang to its final resting place when Ford discontinues it.
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