Tipper: Fiat e-Ducato vs Renault Master Z.E.

A tipper van is a great choice for many businesses, offering a large payload and the ability to easily dump a vast amount quickly and with little effort. As a rule this makes them extremely popular for businesses like construction companies or those that deal with a lot of loose aggregates or other materials that can handle being tipped.

The popularity of the tipper van style, combined with our increasing awareness of the climate crisis, has led many mainstream van manufacturers to convert their most popular tipper models into electric variants. Two great examples of this are the Renault Master Z.E Tipper and the Fiat e-Ducato Tipper.

While electric vehicles save on fuel costs in the long run, we understand that purchasing an electric van upfront can be costly. That’s why Van Sales UK has a variety of different financing options to help you find the van and payment plan that’s right for you and your business. After reading this review, why not get in touch with our friendly, expert team for more information.

Engines and Spec

Let’s start by comparing the batteries and range that these two vans offer. The Fiat e-Ducato Tipper has the choice of either a 3-module 47kWh  or a 5-module 79kWH battery. Size really matters here: the smaller one has a good range of 146 miles, but the larger one has a truly impressive range of over 200 miles. So how does the Master Z.E. Tipper compare? Well, the 57kWh power battery and R75 electric motor offers a decent driving range of 126 miles but, as we’ve already seen, this is in the lower leagues next to the e-Ducato.

When it comes to payload capacity the Master Z.E racks up a maximum payload of 1,714kg, but is pipped to the post again by the e-Ducato which offers a 1,950kg payload and up to 17m₃ volume. However, it should be noted that both payloads are significant in the grand scheme of electric vehicle capacity, so you can rest assured that whichever option you choose, you will be receiving a mid-weight electric van which is more than capable of taking on hefty loads.

So why is the Fiat e-Ducato so competitive on payload and range? The answer comes down to the engine. It has a compact design, meaning that there isn’t a reduction in capacity due to the size and weight, which is an issue many electric vehicles suffer from. This van also benefits from three driving modes. Normal is a great balance between performance and economy while slipping into Eco mode will help to increase the range of the vehicle.The third option, Power, is best used for going uphill and when carrying a heavy load, which you will probably be doing if driving a tipper.

Interior

Both of these commercial vans err on the side of practicality when it comes to the inside, so if you’re looking for sleek interior design you might want to read a different Van Sales UK review! The Renault Master Z.E. is a comfortable ride with practical storage options and great road handling capabilities. However the interior design itself lacks refinement – it seems Renault could have gone further to create a bespoke electric vehicle design rather than simply converting the diesel version of the Master. Overall, it feels a little rushed and clunky but still makes a great choice for urban driving.

Firmly robust and extremely practical, the interior of the Fiat e-Ducato has two trim levels, with touchscreen infotainment systems of different sizes. As with the spec, the e-Ducato is all about choice so if you’re looking for more features you can opt for the higher trim which includes extras such as satnav and Apple CarPlay. Sounds interesting? Find out more about this commercial vehicle in our full review of the Fiat E-Ducato Tipper.

The Verdict

Both of these electric vans are great models that will easily be capable of being used by many industries. Both have excellent payloads and range that will allow for heavy materials to be transported from A to B. While the Fiat e-Ducato Tipper has the edge in some areas, you may prefer the study and no frills nature of the Renault Master Z.E> tipper, which is still a great choice for a tipper van.

If you’re interested in the Fiat e-Ducato Tipper or the Renault Master Z.E. Tipper, get in touch with Van Sales UK today. We can offer you great deals on these van types, with competitive finance rates and part exchange welcome. If you’d like to find out more about what either van has to offer, please do not wait 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.