Fiat E-Ducato Electric Dropside Review

The Fiat E-Ducato Dropside at a glance

As the 100% electric version of the Fiat Ducato large van, the Fiat-E-Ducato is the all-new highly-sought after vehicle available in a wide range of body sizes and variants.

The electric vehicle comes loaded with benefits, including high payload ratings and an impressive driving range which is up to 175 miles per charge.

While the standard Ducato van shares many parts with the Citroen Relay and Peugeot Boxer, the Fiat E-Ducato is the Italian brand’s own work.

Like all electric vans, the Fiat E-Ducato is expensive to buy outright, however, its lower running costs make up for this in the long run. If the upfront cost is offputting, you could secure a Fiat e-Ducato Dropside on finance from Van Sales UK for just £369 + VAT.

You can buy the E-Ducato as a panel van, chassis cab, dropside and as a passenger carrier/minibus.

To find out more about what the Fiat E-Ducato has to offer, keep reading for our verdict on the engines and specs, interior and pros and cons of this popular electric van.

Engines and Spec

Combining comfort and efficiency, the Fiat E-Ducato Dropside is just as dynamic as its competitors.

The direct and balanced steering combined with a lower centre of gravity (from the weight of the batteries) gives the electric version even better handling and road-holding than a diesel version. Power is plentiful, and the 121bhp motor gives it a decent turn of speed and 207lb-ft of torque.

Like most electric vehicles, it is quiet and boasts good insulation from road and tyre noise. It’s so quiet at a standstill that you wouldn’t know it’s started if it wasn’t for the handy message which appears in the instrument display when it’s ready to go.

The E-Ducato comes with three selectable driving modes and a special automatic ‘Turtle’ mode should that battery life become critical.

The selectable driving modes are split between Normal, Power and Eco, which perform as their names suggest – Normal being intended for ordinary operation, Power for heavy payloads and steep hills and Eco for an extended driving range.

The regenerative braking (which recovers energy as you slow down) is quite strong in the E-Ducato, but in a non-intrusive way. If you want to really get the most out of every charge, you can increase its effect using a paddle shifter behind the steering wheel.

Interior

The interior of the Fiat E-Ducato is based on the regular Ducato but with some subtle twists.

Delivering practical and robust interiors without compromising on comfort, the Fiat E-Ducato Dropside offers plenty of storage, a comfortable driving position and good visibility. The plastics used in the interior of the E-Ducato don’t feel forced or cheap.

For storage, you get a tray for keys or coins, twin cupholders and a good-sized upper glovebox with the option of a tablet computer holder that pulls out of the top of the dash, as well as a table with extra cupholders that folds out of the middle seats.

Not only this but the dials are all easy to read and all the battery information is shown on a handly little screen mounted on the A-pillar.

Safety systems are abundant in the E-Ducato, which gets three new systems not previously available on the version of the Ducato it’s based on. Rear cross-path detection will stop you from reversing into a vehicle or cyclist crossing behind you, full brake control will warn and assist you in avoiding rear-ending someone, and blindspot assist keeps an eye out for vehicles you can’t see.

The E-Ducato comes with two trim levels, standard and eTechnico. Standard features include climate control, a rearview camera with parking sensors and a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Available in lots of variants

• High payload ratings

• Low running costs

Cons

• Limited top speed

• Expensive to buy

The Verdict

Overall, the Fiat E-Ducato Dropside is a van that is often overlooked but offers a commendable amount of features that make it a vehicle worth considering.

With tough, practical interiors and a quiet, comfortable ride, it is clear why this van is a competitive vehicle in the electric van market.

Not only does it boast plenty of storage, but it also has an abundance of safety systems including rear cross path detection which stops you from reversing into a vehicle or cyclist crossing behind you, full brake control to warn and assist you in avoiding rear-ending someone, and blindspot assist to keep an eye out for vehicles you can’t see.

While the price of buying the van outright is a lot, the low running costs make it worthwhile in the long run. You also have the option of securing the Fiat e-Ducato Dropside on finance from Van Sales UK. for just £369 + VAT.

If you are looking to find out more about what the Fiat E-Ducato has to offer, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our friendly team here at Van Sales UK today. We are always on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have and point you in the right direction to finding your dream van.