The What Van? Road Test: Fiat Professional E-Ducato (2021)

Date: Friday, November 12, 2021

Interior and equipment

A dial on the dashboard tells you how much charge is left in the battery while a separate display mounted on top of the fascia repeats the information, indicates how much range remains, and shows if the regeneration function is operating. Another dial tells you how economically you are driving.

Storage space in E-Ducato’s three-seater cab includes a roomy bin in each door with a moulding, which can grasp a flask of tea or a big bottle of water. Above the bin you will find a narrow shelf, which can be used to accommodate pens and other small bits and pieces.

A small lidded glove-box sits on the passenger side of the fascia with a shelf above it, and a lidded compartment accessible from the top of the dashboard above that. Three small open shelves plus a pen tray are positioned next to it.

A moulding featuring twin cup-holders plus yet another shelf projects from the bottom of the fascia while a third cup-holder sits close to the centre of the dashboard, next to a USB port and a 12v power socket.

Flip down the centre section of the middle seat’s back and it turns into a desk complete with a couple of cup-holders, a clip to keep your paperwork tidy and a further pen tray.

A DAB radio with remote controls on the steering wheel and Bluetooth compatibility forms part of the package, and eTecnico trim wins you a 7in colour touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Satnav is included with eTecnico trim as is a reversing camera (the image it displays on the dashboard screen is alas rather too small) with reverse parking sensors.

Fitted too if you opt for the higher of the two specifications are front fog lights, electrically heated and folding adjustable exterior mirrors with a wide-angle lower section, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and LED daytime running lights. Also installed are a speed limiter (E-Ducato is restricted to 62 mph to save energy) plus systems that will detect if an obstacle is in the driver’s blind spot, and issue a warning if E-Ducato is about to reverse into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Standard on all E-Ducatos are electric windows and automatic climate control plus a plethora of safety devices.

They include Electronic Stability Control, Lane Departure Warning and Traction Control System (both of which can be switched off), Advanced Emergency Braking and Traffic Sign Recognition. A driver’s airbag is provided and our test van was equipped with an optional passenger airbag too.

What happens if things go severely wrong? Fortunately every E-Ducato comes with a 12-month subscription to Mopar Connect.

A smartphone app, it delivers support 24/7 through its crash assistance service, and allows an accident-damaged vehicle to be located quickly so that help can be despatched. The angle and height of the driver’s seat cushion can be altered and the steering wheel is reach-adjustable. An adjustable lumbar support is fitted in the back of the seat, so it should be possible for most people to find a driving position they can live with.

A deep windscreen and deep windows in the doors provide good vision ahead and to either side of the vehicle and should make it easier to spot vulnerable road users.

Independent suspension with MacPherson struts is installed at the front, while twin longitudinal leaf springs help support the rear. Our demonstrator sat on 16in steel wheels decorated with plastic trims and shod with 215/75 R16 Continental VanContact Eco tyres.

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