This test concerns a first contact with the latest update of the Fiat e-Ducato, the electric variant of the van produced continuously since 1981. However, in reality, Fiat e-Ducato and Fiat Professional are now part, and indeed have paved the way for the Stellantis Pro One brand, born in October 2023.
The first van in many european countries in its category, highlights the importance of this sector for Stellantis, which in 2023 represented one-third of the net profits of the Italian-French giant, which is a leader and in Europe and South America.
For this reason, Stellantis aims to double LCV profits by 2030 compared to 2021 and achieve global leadership by 2027, improving its second position in the Middle East-Africa market and third in the North American market (behind Ford and General Motors) with an expansion of the RAM offering.
Fiat e-Ducato: Our Tops and Flops
The Fiat e-Ducato is one of the kings of European LCVs, a pioneer in many innovations that make it the flagship of the new Stellantis Pro One division. As the first electric LCV introduced in Europe and a project entirely Italian, the update only improves its capabilities, positioning it as one of the best in terms of cargo volume and payload, yet one of the most compact. The latest update makes it also the most powerful, with 270 hp, and one of those with the longest range at 420 km, and it gives it, if possible, a more refined design closer to the automotive world. In addition to being among the most comfortable and responsive, with its 0-100 in 10 seconds and well-tuned suspensions to withstand bumps, potholes, and anything else. The most brilliant thing is the “Eat&Work” platform, although some finishes are not up to the high price list, and the 150 kW charging is still too slow for a giant battery like the 110 kWh one.
What We Like
- The Eat&Work platform is ingenious and distinctive;
- A responsive van even when fully loaded;
- The Infotainment is even smoother than that of the Tipo and the electric 500.
What We Don’t Like
- Charging is still slow, despite the high power;
- A true 360° rearview camera is missing;
- Some finishes are a bit poor.
Power, Space and Practicality
The Ducato has always stood out for its smart solutions, and I admit that it continues to do so. The electric e-Ducato version, launched in 2021, made it the first electric in its category. Today, however, it is updated, and it also makes it the most powerful and one of those with the most autonomy: the power supplied by the electric motor rises to 270 hp with 410 N/m of torque, which makes it particularly responsive for an LCV: 0-100 in 10 seconds, even with a full load.
For the whole time, in fact, we traveled with a weight of 400 kg, out of 700 kg total that the 3.5-ton electric version can bear (which are added to a cargo volume of 13 cubic meters, 17 on the 4.5-ton version that instead supports 1500 kg of payload, enough to contain an entire Citroën Ami/Opel Rocks!); but this has had no negative effects neither on acceleration nor, we will see, on autonomy.
Moreover, there are three driving modes, selectable from the convenient Drive Mode button next to the gear selector on the dashboard, very easy to reach: Eco, Normal, Power, which unleashes all the power, just like on a car.
As we will see, all Stellantis Pro One electric vans have a new regenerative braking system, and all have paddles on the steering wheel for management. This also applies to the Fiat e-Ducato, although the operation is not very intuitive. In fact, with the plus sign, the intensity decreases, with the minus sign, it increases.
However, the Fiat e-Ducato remains comfortable with soft suspensions capable of cushioning all bumps, which abound on the German roads of our test in Rüsselsheim (Frankfurt). There is also the digital rearview mirror, 21 ADAS, and Keyless entry and start, all standard on the electric version.
Comfort is enhanced by practicality.
Like all the LCVs in the range, the Fiat e-Ducato has interiors taken from cars, in this case, Fiat. The 7” cluster is the same as that of the Tipo and the 500, with different menus and clear graphics with all the info.
Also new is the central 10” touch display with Uconnect 5 wirelessly compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, also available via cable thanks to USB sockets of type A and C.
The system is, as mentioned, connected, to be remotely controlled via the MyFiat app and through MyTask developed with Free2Move, the digital fleet management platform designed for efficient fleet management.
Genius, however, the Eat&Work bench. It can be extracted from the central seat and consists of a non-slip table for the laptop or trays for eating comfortably, since the table can be oriented towards the driver or towards the passenger.
To this are added two cup holders and a compartment for pens and cutlery. There are also the classic documents, and under the passenger seat houses the charging cable.
A good autonomy
Fiat e-Ducato has a 110 kWh battery with 420 km of promised autonomy, which in our short test seemed realistic despite the weight of 400 kg.
Moreover, it supports fast charging up to 150 kW for a 10-80% charge in about 30-40 minutes. Not bad, even if in the future the arrival of an 800 Volt platform for LCVs is hoped for, at least for the larger ones.
What about an Hydrogen Ducato?
Stellantis Pro One also has Fuel Cell hydrogen in its range, although for now not with Fiat e-Ducato. Hydrogen is available on its twin brothers, namely Citroën ë-Berlingo and Opel Movano-e, in markets such as France, Germany, and the Netherlands (not in Denmark, since all hydrogen stations has been closed). Stellantis’ FCEV is also developed internally (and does not derive from Toyota, despite the partnership), and will also be implemented on RAM heavy-duty pickups for the North American market.
The hydrogen range, also second-generation and debuting in 2024, offers over 500 km of autonomy and refueling times of a maximum of 5 minutes. In markets where it is available, it is designed for fleets that want to reduce emissions but cannot recharge an entire fleet due to the inability of the network, or because drivers do not have the opportunity at home; or because they use the vehicles 24/7 and therefore have less time available for recharging.
By 2030, according to Stellantis, there will be over 500 hydrogen refueling stations in Europe, and Stellantis hopes that there will also be a regulation and unification of hydrogen prices, which are currently very high in general, and with countries where it approaches €20 (140 DKK) per kg.
Exploring Stellantis Pro One
Stellantis Pro One is a brand of Stellantis, with its targeted strategy and, among other things, perhaps enjoys the widest range of LCV products in the world. Pro, because it focuses on the world of professionals, both SMEs or small entrepreneurs and self-employed workers, and large corporate fleets in logistics and beyond.
One, because there are 5 brands (6 if we also include RAM) that, however, have a unified strategy and strength, based on 5 pillars:
- Product offering;
- Zero emissions at the tailpipe;
- Customer Experience;
- Conversion and customization;
- Connected services for better fleet management.
Moreover, the entire product offering characterized by 12 models of all segments, and more if we include Citroën MyAmi Cargo, follows the same philosophy based on Human-Interface, Driving Assistance, and the second generation of Zero Exhaust Emission technology, which includes both the electric already on sale and the new Fuel-Cell EV that will be introduced in some markets in 2024.
Customization is very important: for example, this Opel Vivaro has been turned into a mobile fridge through one of the 500 Stellantis partners for LCV customization.
How to distinguish the offer, then? With a customization typical of the belonging brands, which takes a lot from cars. From a technical point of view, there are not too many differences, it changes what the vans can offer. So Opel brings the Intellilux LED technology applied to the headlights and the best safety systems, Citroën has a typically comfort-oriented approach with smart solutions such as the base for the smartphone or Advanced Comfort seats, Peugeot brings the small steering wheel and the iCockpit while Fiat Professional brings the smartest solutions, such as the Eat&Work bench on the Ducato.
Beyond what the brands may have come up with to differentiate themselves, which are certainly rebranding of the various brands and which certainly the European market will be divided based on a sense of belonging, and where those same brands are already very popular, such as for Fiat Professional in Italy, but also in Turkey, Algeria, and Brazil (markets where the brand is also strong on cars).
However, it is appreciable for a truly complete choice, which includes three van sizes (from the compact one under 4 meters, to the large van) and also smarter solutions such as the Citroën MyAmi Cargo or, for Germany, the Opel Rocks-e Cargo.
Electric direction
Stellantis Pro One certainly does not give up diesel (also because it still makes up 95% of its market), with new updated and efficient engines. For example, on the diesel Ducato, there is the new Multijet (also proposed on the Opel/Vauxhall, Citroën, and Peugeot rebrands) with powers of 120, 140, and 180 hp, which thanks to aerodynamic improvements and the new design reduces emissions by 5%.
The push, at least in terms of design, is all on electric. And in fact, all the “cuts” have been updated, especially in terms of autonomy and charging power: all rise on the 400 Volt ePTO platform, with new and more efficient regenerative braking, and all are designed and built in Europe, also for what concerns the assembly of batteries. The compacts now develop 340 km of autonomy, the mediums 350, and the large ones 420, like the Fiat e-Ducato.