Two years after its revelation, the 100% electric version of the Fiat Ducato is finally able to be delivered. This new player in the large utility segment blows hot (wide range, comfort) and cold (limited speed, equipment and price).
Test car: Fiat E Ducato Van LH2 47 kWh Evoluzione
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From€ 73,000
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The Fiat E-Ducato prototype was unveiled more than two years ago with the promise of rapid production. We therefore had to wait until the end of 2021 to be able to finally touch the electric version of the Ducato closely. Only a few details make it possible to distinguish the E-Ducato from the thermal versions, in particular the logos, the absence of an exhaust and the small multimedia screen on the dashboard to the left of the driver. The charging socket is located in place of the tank filler neck.
The E-Ducato is offered with two battery packs of 47 or 79 kWh. These feed the synchronous electric motor developing 122 hp and allow a range (mixed WLTP standard) of 170 or 280 kilometers, respectively. On the other hand, the weight of the batteries (800 to 1000 kilos depending on the size of the pack) is felt at the level of the admissible payload. With an empty weight of nearly 2.4 t, that of our test model amounts to just over 1,100 kilos, or several hundred kilos less than the diesel equivalent.
Price, range and recharging Fiat E-Ducato
One of the strengths of this model is that its electric propulsion does not restrict the choice of version since the E-Ducato is offered as a van in three lengths (M; L and XL) and two heights (H2 and H3), but also in chassis cab in three lengths. On vans, the useful volumes are identical to those displayed by the diesel versions, from 10 to 17 m3. Our LH2 test model provides 13 m3 and an interior height to stand up without worry. The electric Ducato is marketed with two trim levels: Pack and Evoluzione.
Better to forget the Pack version, stripped and whose existence is justified only by the desire to attract large fleets with a minimum price. This does not prevent the E-Ducato from being much more expensive than the diesel versions. Thus, our test model, an LH2 Evoluzione 3.5 T 47 kWh, is displayed excluding options at € 61,000 excl. the thermal equivalent. And again, the thermal version is based on the 2021 range, which makes it possible to receive a multitude of new driving aids and comfort equipment which the E-Ducato, designed on the 2019 version of the model, cannot benefit from. And if you want to have the “big” battery, the price then soars to 78,750 € HT!
Fast charger is optional!
The Fiat E-Ducato is sold with several chargers. The basic AC supply is 7 kW on the small battery. Powers of 11 and 22 kW are optional (1350 and 4200 € HT). Even for the fast charger in direct current (50 kW), it is necessary to put the hand in the pocket (2,350 € HT). The latter can recover 80% of the small battery in 50 minutes according to Fiat. in direct current. Note that the battery guarantees are different according to their capacity: 8 years or 160,000 km on the 47 kWh and 10 years or 220,000 km on the 79 kWh.
At the wheel of the E-Ducato
The electric motor develops 90 kW, or 122 hp. A power not so phenomenal as that but which corresponds well to the needs of future users, mainly for distribution and interventions in town. Fortunately, the torque of 280 Nm available from the first turn of the wheel allows a quick and efficient activation. The acceleration is pleasant. On the other hand, top speed performance is found to be limited; by construction, the E-Ducato does not exceed 100 km / h. And the speed is even lower (90 km / h) in “Eco” mode, which allows autonomy to be optimized. If this is more than sufficient for purely urban use, things get complicated on expressways or motorways.
The E-Ducato finds itself “sandwiched” between cars and heavy goods vehicles, at a speed of around a hundred kilometers per hour which is not very pleasant. On the autonomy side, the 47 kWh battery displays, after a mixed journey of about sixty kilometers, a capacity of 58% for a remaining range of 94 kilometers. The 150 kilometers are therefore quite within the reach of the Italian electric van. Note that if necessary, a “turtle” mode is activated automatically and limits performance when the battery reaches the end of charge in order to extend the autonomy by 8 to 10%.
In terms of comfort and driving pleasure, the E-Ducato adds to the traditional qualities of the thermal van a high operating silence. The energy recovery system when lifting the foot appears, at the beginning, very strong and requires a moment of adaptation. Once this dosage has been assimilated, it then becomes pleasant to “play” with it to slow the vehicle down effectively without touching the brake pedal. Ditto for the gear lever, like an automatic gearbox. Its handling requires a little time to understand the gear selection system and energy recovery.
On board
The Fiat E-Ducato is offered in all van variants. It thus displays useful volumes ranging from 10 to 17 m3, like thermal models. On the other hand, the payload is lower.
Competetion
The 100% electric heavy-duty segment includes several models, such as the Mercedes eSprinter, the Man eTGE or the Volkswagen eCrafter. However, these models are only available in a van version, while the E-Ducato is also available as a chassis cab. For the moment, the only “real” competitor of Fiat is the Renault Master ZE, Available in van and chassis cab. This model will be transformed into E-Tech at the start of 2022 thanks to a new lithium-ion battery with a power of 52 kWh compatible with fast charging in direct current and bringing its range to 195 km (WLTP standard). 2022 will also be the year of the marketing of the new Citroën ë-Jumper, Opel Movano-e and Peugeot e-Boxer, which will be based on the same technical basis as the Fiat E-Ducato.
Find the test report, the technical sheet and detailed equipment prices on the next page.
