Fiat e-Ducato Luton vs. Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Luton

With all of the extra space that they offer, Luton vans are an excellent choice for companies looking to transport a large volume of goods around, such as delivery drivers, removal companies and construction workers. Naturally, powering such a large vehicle can be costly as it is, but this is especially true due to the recent spike in energy prices. Fortunately, in order to remain compliant with  updated emissions regulations, many mainstream van manufacturers have now released electric variants of their most popular Luton models. Two great examples of this are the Fiat e-Ducato Luton and the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Luton.

However, the push for more carbon neutral options in the commercial van sector means that there are now countless electric vans to choose from. Whilst this is ultimately a positive step forward for the environment, it can nonetheless be difficult to decide which Luton van would be best suited to your specific requirements. Although both of the vans discussed in this review have a lot to offer, it’s important to know all of the key differences between them to help you make an informed decision. Read on to find out more about the peaks and pitfalls of each of these two electric vehicles.

Engines and Spec

The design of a Luton van consists of a box-shaped body that extends over the driver cab; the portion that rests atop the cab is referred to as the Luton. Because of their wide expanse of load space, the Luton van is known for its generous payload capacity, and the two electric vans discussed in this review are no exception. However, while the e-Ducato boasts an incredibly generous maximum payload of 1,885kg, the eSprinter fails to keep up in this respect with a payload of 1,000kg. Despite this, 1 tonne of payload capacity is still more than enough to transport heavy loads with ease.

Taking a look first underneath the bonnet of the e-Ducato, Fiat offers its customers a choice of two battery sizes – 47kWh or 79kWh – both powered by the same 90kWh electric motor. There is also a strong 280Nm of torque on offer, which makes this a great van for navigating urban environments and zipping around town. However, the motor size does mean that the van is limited to 60mph, which is less than ideal for motorway journeys.

Drivers of the e-Ducato will also benefit from three driving modes, each designed to optimise battery life and performance, and provides a little extra ‘oomph’ for when you’re carrying heavier loads – just as well in light of the van’s hefty payload capacity.

Moving onto the eSprinter, this van operates on a battery with a power output of 55kWh and a torque of 295Nm. This running gear makes it more than capable of keeping up with traffic whilst driving around town, although the weight of the cargo in the Luton body will inevitably impact its performance. A driving range of 82 miles also means that this might not be the right choice for drivers who frequently have to make long journeys.

Interior

Inside the cabin of each van, you will find a modern and well thought out interior. The e-Ducato’s cab is not too dissimilar from that of its diesel counterpart, though there are a couple of key differences. Those who have previously enjoyed the Ducato’s comfortable and durable design will be pleased to know that this still rings true in the electric variant, making for a very pleasant driving experience. There is also plenty of storage space for stashing everything you need for a day on the road.

The e-Ducato comes fitted with a touchscreen infotainment system as standard, featuring a sat nav, a rearview camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The instrument cluster has been remodelled to display important electric information, such as battery charge and remaining range, but otherwise remains the same as the original model.

The eSprinter also has some handy features on offer that work to enhance the comfort of your driving experience. There is the TEMPMATIC air conditioning, which cools and removes any pollen or dust particles from the outside air, and can cleverly be controlled from your phone so that your van can have the perfect interior climate from the moment you step inside. There is also a remote locking system, also controlled via smartphone, which makes worrying about where you’ve put your keys a thing of the past.

For all of its handy features, however, the abundant up-to-date technology that can be found in the e-Ducato is comparatively lacking in the eSprinter. Instead of an infotainment system, there is simply a DAB radio with a Bluetooth interface, and no control buttons on the steering wheel. This doesn’t quite match up to what drivers have come to expect from a modern van.

The Verdict

Although both the Fiat e-Ducato Luton and the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter Luton are both abundant with great features, the choice of which van to buy will ultimately come down to your preferences and the requirements of your business. At the very least, regardless of which you choose, you can rest assured that you are choosing an environmentally-friendly, zero-emissions dropside van that will save you money on running costs and also reduce your carbon footprint.

If the choice between the two comes down to cost for you, then worry not as  both vans are available to buy on finance lease from Van Sales UK at highly competitive prices. We supply a vast range of new diesel and electric vans in a variety of body lengths and models. If you’d like to find out more about what either van has to offer, please do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly, knowledgeable team. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have and point you in the right direction towards the perfect van for you.