Fiat Ducato Tipper vs Fiat E-Ducato Electric Tipper

Fiat, one of the largest manufacturers in Europe, is famous for its reliable, popular vans and cars. Since 1981, Fiat has been building the Ducato large van range with the recent introduction of the all-electric Fiat E-Ducato Tipper to join its long-established diesel-powered counterpart.

As with the diesel Fiat Ducato Tipper, the electric Ducato is available in a wide range of body sizes and variants including Luton, Dropside etc, so you are sure to find a vehicle that perfectly suits your needs.

The Fiat E-Ducato is promising lower running costs, a wide driving range and an impressive maximum payload, so we thought it only right to put both these vans through their paces to establish which is the right vehicle for you or your business.

Like with many electric vehicles, the Fiat E-Ducato is more expensive to buy outright than its diesel counterpart, however, both vehicles can be secured on finance at Van Sales UK for a much more affordable price.

If you are struggling to decide whether to choose the sustainability of the Fiat E-Ducato Tipper or the reliability of the diesel-powered Fiat Ducato Tipper, then keep on reading for our in-depth comparison of the engines, specs, interior and pros and cons of these two impressive vehicles.

Engines and Spec

The biggest difference between the Fiat Ducato Tipper and the Fiat E-Ducato Tipper is, of course, the E-Ducato’s electric engine.

Promising lower running costs and a wider driving range, the all-electric Fiat E-Ducato is the more environmentally-friendly option for carrying a variety of loads and equipment.

The Fiat E-Ducato Tipper offers two battery sizes – 47kWh and 79kWh – the first having three modules, the second five, including one behind the rear axle. They mount under the van, so whichever version you go for it won’t have any impact on the load space, which is exactly the same as the diesel model.

The smaller 47kWh battery capacity promises a WLTP driving range of 88-108 miles per charge, while the larger 79kWH battery capacity is reckoned to do 147-175 miles per charge.

Not only this, but the E-Ducato has an incredibly fast charging rate, with the 47kWh version needing just two hours and 25 minutes on a 22kW supply to be completely filled up, allowing businesses to recharge and get back on the road in the quickest time possible.

The standard diesel-powered Fiat Ducato, however, features Fiat’s Multijet 3 diesel engine, which is designed to deliver incremental fuel economy savings over the previous generation Multijet 2. The 2.2-litre four-cylinder unit is lighter than the old unit and efficiency has improved by up to seven per cent. While that doesn’t sound like a big number, this will result in big savings for fleets and over a working van’s life.

So, if you’re looking for a tipper offering lower fuel costs with a wider driving range, then, the Fiat E-Ducato Tipper might be the best option for you as it offers zero emissions and zero road tax.

Interior

The interior of both vehicles are very similar, however, there are a few subtle differences to consider.

While the diesel-powered Fiat Ducato Tipper is tough and practical with plenty of useful storage options around the cab, the Fiat E-Ducato Tipper seems a little poorly thought through.

All versions of the E-Ducato come with a small additional ‘Mopar Connect’ screen on the top of the dashboard in the corner by the driver’s windscreen pillar.

This gives you specific electric van info and functions as a connectivity hub between the van, smartphone apps and fleet management tools. A 12-month Mopar Connect subscription is included in the price of the van; you’ll have to pay an extra fee to continue with the services after that. However, the device is fiddly and the brightness of the screen is somewhat dazzling at night.

As mentioned in our stand-alone Fiat E-Ducato Tipper review, the e-Ducato also comes equipped with features such as automatic climate control, heated mirrors, e-braking, blind spot assist, a lane departure warning system, traffic sign recognition, high beam recognition, and more.

With the interior of the standard diesel-powered Fiat Ducato Tipper prioritising practicality over tech features, there are big door bins and plenty of dashtop storage, while the passenger seats flip up to reveal more hidden storage beneath. There are also plenty of hard-wearing plastics in the cab that should hold up well to van life.

So, if you are looking for a practical tipper that offers plenty of storage, then the diesel-powered Fiat Ducato Tipper is a van worth considering.

The Verdict/Snap shot

While both tipper vans are packed with lots of features and benefits, your van of choice will ultimately come down to your preference.

If you are looking for a practical and reliable vehicle offering plenty of storage and hard-wearing interiors, then the diesel-powered Fiat Ducato Tipper could be the van for you. However, if you want to boost your business’s carbon footprint and reduce your running costs, then the electric engine of the Fiat E-Ducato Tipper makes this vehicle a sure choice.

While the Fiat E-Ducato is more expensive to buy outright than its diesel counterpart, both vehicles can be secured on finance at Van Sales UK for a much more affordable price.

Browse our catalogue of new and used vans at Van Sales UK today or get in touch with a member of our friendly team for more information.