Fiat e-Ducato Review 2024

The latest Fiat e-Ducato has a longer range than its predecessor and a vastly improved cabin, but are these enough to ensure the Italian firm’s biggest electric van remains a top choice in an ever-more competitive market? Read our full Fiat e-Ducato review to find out.

The Fiat e-Ducato is part of the expanded Stellantis large electric van range, which means it’s essentially the same vehicle as the Peugeot e-Boxer, another French contender, the Citroen e-Relay, and Britain’s Vauxhall Movano Electric.

It is based on the large panel van body that was introduced way back in 2006. Although a versatile, flexible and competent van, it was never originally designed to be electric.

The plug-in battery and motor were developed by Stellantis to be integrated beneath the body, based on the same mechanical components as the previous Fiat e-Ducato, but with a bigger battery pack and extended range – now up to a claimed 261 miles using the WLTP measurement protocol.

The next generation of large electric vans from Stellantis will have a more integral, multi-brand approach as per the group’s smaller models. But that is still a couple of years away, so the Fiat e-Ducato has been extensively revised inside and out, and is now fitted with a more credible electric power option.

The latest Fiat e-Ducato, then, is powered by an electric motor producing 272PS and 400Nm of torque with a new 110kWh battery, meaning it will cover up to 261 miles (WLTP) on a single charge and comes equipped as standard with a three-phase 11kW on-board charger.

It can also be charged at 150kW from a DC rapid charger, enabling 0-80% in 55 minutes.

Just one wheelbase of 4.04 metres is available, but with a choice of body lengths. A chassis cab version is also available for converters and camper van derivatives, which has long been a core market for Fiat with its larger vans.

In panel van form, it has a load length of up to 4.04 metres and a total maximum cargo volume of 17 cubic metres.

Outside it gets a new, more aerodynamic front bumper, which also helps the range, plus redesigned rear view mirrors and a new body-coloured grille, along with full LED front headlights.

In the cabin, drivers get a new multifunction steering wheel, dashboard, seat fabrics, and door panels, along with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 3D Connected Navigation.

Wireless inductive phone charging is also introduced, while further thoughtful touches include an optional 230V socket in the centre of the dashboard for powering electrical devices such as laptops, batteries and tablets up to 150w.

It’s a markedly smarter cabin than in the previous Fiat e-Ducato and is a comfortable, spacious and functional large van.

Only one battery is offered but it’s a decent set-up – a  110kWh battery pack feeding a 272PS electric motor. This gives a substantial power increase and increased range over its predecessor.

The Fiat e-Ducato claims a WLTP-derived range of 261 miles, which is pretty impressive for a large electric van and will boost its appeal to some users who may not previously have considered electric propulsion.

It comes with three driving modes: Normal (limited to 160 kW power output), Eco for range optimisation (120 kW) and Power for full performance (200 kW).

Whichever mode you’re in, the kick-down function of the throttle will automatically select Power if you’re joining a motorway or dual carriageway from a slip road or overtaking, so the third setting is rarely needed.

Also new are four different levels of regenerative braking, selectable using steering wheel paddles. The most substantial of these will slow the van to a walking pace and comes into its own in heavy stop-start traffic, increasing overall range.

There are also several driver assistance systems including traffic sign recognition, forward collision alert with emergency braking and side blind-spot alert, drowsiness alert, lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree parking sensors, parking assist and the Stellantis Group’s ‘Dynamic Surround View’ digital rear view mirror, which projects camera images from the rear of the van to the driver’s eyeline.

It’s clever stuff, but more useful in dynamic driving rather than for parking and manoeuvring, where the lens curvature of the cameras makes distances difficult to judge.

The technological advancements are both welcome and significant, but the Fiat e-Ducato still falls short by virtue of the age of the basic van on which it is based.

This is the third incarnation of a model that was introduced in 2006, and the harsh ride when unladen, vague steering and body roll mean that the dynamic package can’t quite match the technological features on offer.

Its key rivals are sharper, but if you want a hugely spacious electric van that’s great value and offers a decent enough range, it’s still well worth a look.

As a result of its much beefier battery and more potent electric motor, the latest Fiat e-Ducato has a useful increase in payload up to 1500kg.

That still lags behind the 2.2-litre diesel model, but it gives much more flexibility to large van users that sits more comfortably alongside its extended electric range.

In panel van form, the Fiat e-Ducato is offered in two lengths and two roof heights, all of which are pretty big.

In long-body high-roof format, it has a total cargo volume of 17 cubic metres, while load lengths range from 2.58 metres in medium double cab layout to 4.07 metres.

The revised cabin is welcome and is quite neatly finished, with some useful features including a folding passenger seat that doubles as a drop-down desk unit, a huge glovebox, document clip and an array of lidded compartments on the dash.

The instruments of the old model have been replaced by an all-new new digital display showing range and battery percentage, which sit alongside a 10-inch touchscreen that controls all major infotainment and climate control settings, as well as (optional) inductive smartphone charging and sat nav.

In addition, an optional mains socket in the dash can be used to give power to smaller items such as laptops and battery chargers.

It’s a sophisticated cabin, but there are other areas in which the Fiat e-Ducato shows the base vehicle’s age.