In the L4H2 version and with a wheelbase of 4,035 mm, the Ducato offers a cargo space volume of up to 13 cubic meters. (Photo: © Martin Bärtges)
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The Ducato is a big seller at Fiat Professional, the van division of the Italian vehicle manufacturer. Since 2021, the long-running model has been available in a fully electric version. We took a closer look at the e-Ducato 35 L4H2 panel van.
To Surveys of various van manufacturers among their customers is sufficient for many users, whether from the area Skilled trades, such as painters, electricians, heating engineers or tilers, or parcel delivery workers, a daily range of around 150 kilometersThis would then be an operating radius that could also be covered by purely electric vans – not only within driving ban zones for vehicles with combustion engines. For example, with the e-Ducato.
The offers Fiat with a small (47 kWh) or optionally a large (79 kWh) battery. The latter is available optionally in conjunction with an 11 kW charging port for a hefty surcharge of 16.600 euros. With the 47 kWh battery, composed of three modules, the e-Ducato for 235 kilometers range The larger battery consists of five modules and is intended to WLTP city cycle to 371 kilometers The city cycle allows for significantly longer driving distances than the intercity cycle, as An electric vehicle in the city consumes much less energy In addition, the e-Ducato actually recuperates very well within built-up areas. In the normal cycle, Fiat promises ranges of 170 and 235 kilometersBased on our experience with the large battery, this is quite realistic.
And with the large battery The Italian achieves about twice the range of its competitor VW, the electrically powered Crafters. Provided you do not ride too often on long uphill stretches. Topography significantly influences the rangeLike all electric vehicles, the three-seater e-Ducato van mountainous regions not particularly. The displayed remaining range can shrink by five or six kilometers for each kilometer actually traveled. The situation is likely to be similar in low winter temperatures, which electric vehicles also don't particularly like. Of course, Fiat is aware of these problems and has therefore the speed of the e-Ducato is limited. The maximum speed is just under 100 km/h, which means that the intended use is clearly defined: The inner-city area is the domain of the electric DucatoThe front-wheel drive van also moves well in traffic, driven by its Electric motor with 90 kW/122 hp and a torque of 280 Nm.
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Mobility - Pkw
Mobility - electric drives
Mobility - electric drives
After the work is done, the e-Ducato's battery needs to be recharged at some point. This isn't possible with 230 volts. Although every owner of an electric van will probably have to do this sooner or later at home or at work anyway, rely on a wallboxBut the option of being able to charge via a normal household socket in an emergency – with correspondingly longer charging times – is certainly convenient.
Can be loaded the 205 cm wide e-Ducato only with locked doors. Which isn't really a good idea when it's raining, storming, or snowing outside – and the van needs to be recharged quickly. Also not particularly pleasant is the Noise during chargingThe Italian transporter makes a quite a fuss, the Cooling works quite loudlyThis shouldn't necessarily be a problem on company premises, but if parked next to your home, the noise during the charging process in the evening or at night could become somewhat annoying over time.
The batteries of the e-Ducato can be charged with 11 kW or in the future also 22 kWAs an option (2.500 euros) there is a Fast charging port with 50 kW, which is designed to provide enough energy for a 100-kilometer journey in the batteries in just under half an hour.
And you also have to know this: The Electric motor can only be operated when the door is closed, seatbelt fastened and start with the brake applied. So, quickly reversing a few meters on the company premises for loading or unloading is out of the question. In the approximately six-meter-long and a good two-and-a-half-meter-high test vehicle, the 122 horsepower won't tear up any trees, but the e-Ducato moves silently and reaches the maximum permitted speed of 50 km/h in around five seconds. This makes it similarly fast to its combustion-engined versions. Three Driving modes The e-Ducato offers: Eco, Normal and PowerThe Eco mode in particular saves energy and thus increases range, but it's also pretty boring and more suited to, let's say, extremely relaxed drivers. In "normal" mode you will find the best compromise between sufficient power and economical drivingThe power mode mobilizes the full power of the electric motor to transport heavy loads and thus also helps on steep inclines.
A additional display on the A-pillar on the driver's side, which is somewhat reminiscent of an aftermarket navigation system, shows the driver the Range and current energy consumption, also the Power consumption of air conditioning or audio system.
The exterior color of the test car, called Abarth Grey, proved to be, as the Brits would say, a "forgiving color" during the test. While the rain mixed with Sahara dust was clearly visible on the plastic surfaces of the test car, it was barely noticeable on the painted surfaces of the sheet metal van.
In the L4H2 version and with a wheelbase of 4.035 mm, the Ducato, like its diesel-powered counterparts, offers a decent cargo space volume of up to 13 cubic meters. At the load compartment floor, the loading area is 3.705 mm long and a maximum of 1.870 mm wide. 1.932 mm height The e-Ducato probably also offers most of the people who work with it sufficient headroom in the cargo areaUntil the permissible total weight of 3.500 kg is reached, the e-Ducato can carry a maximum of 765 kg. The larger – and heavier – battery impacts the maximum possible payload.
Lashing eyes for load securing The Ducato comes with the factory, as well as the LED lighting in the cargo compartmentThe lashing eyes are also absolutely essential on the test vehicle, whose painted metal floor is anything but slip-resistant. You should order a somewhat slip-resistant floor from the factory, not only for the cargo, but also to prevent you from accidentally and unintentionally sliding through the cargo area in rainy weather and with wet shoes. For the sake of completeness, and so that perhaps someone at Fiat will think about this someday: There's a reason why other manufacturers give their vans slip-resistant flooring. Provide entry handles. Maybe the Italians should do that too.
Fiat is asking for a base price of €57.100 for the e-Ducato 35 L4H2 panel van. The largest single option on the test vehicle is the built-in 79 kWh battery for 16.600 euros. Other major items include the e-Ducato package. EUR 2.790 there Backup camera, Blind Spot Assistant and Cross traffic warning, USB charging port, acoustic warning signal for pedestrians (reversing alarm), electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrorsthe 7-inch infotainment with touchscreen, DAB and Navigation as well as the Multifunction buttons at the steering wheel. 2.500 euros are available for the 50 kW fast charging port due.
With a few more positions, the Final price for the test car at 81.980 euros netThat's quite a sip from the bottle. And for some craftsmen Cause for severe cases of gasping for breathEven though Fiat argues that maintenance work on the electric drivetrain is significantly less than with a combustion engine. For example, neither oil changes nor the replacement of normal wear parts are necessary. Consequently, the Total costs of ownership lower than with a dieselFiat offers a warranty of eight years or 160.000 kilometers for the E-Ducato with the 47 kWh battery; for the larger battery, it is ten years or 220.000 kilometers.
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