ON TEST: eDUCATO
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Electric Ducato! • New e-Ducato priced from £47,675 exc VAT (after Plug-in Van Grant) • Zero tailpipe emissions • Range of battery options to provide driving range of between 99-192 miles • Fully charge with fast charger in little over 2 hours Kickstarting the Fiat brand’s foray into 100% electric vehicles is the e-Ducato large LCV, which offers a battery range from 99-192 miles (WLTP City*), depending on the variant. It is Congestion Charge and ULEZ-exempt, making it the perfect tool for businesses in both urban and suburban environments. There are two battery sizes available – 47kWh or 79kWh. The 47kWh battery, alongside a 90kW motor, provides a range of up to 120 miles (WLTP City*), a maximum power of 90kW (equivalent to 122hp) and maximum torque of 280Nm at 12,000rpm. e-Ducato receives a top speed of 62mph and takes under six seconds to go from 0-30mph. Its impressive charging time of zero to fully charged takes just 2 hours and 25 minutes, enabling businesses to recharge and get back on the road in the quickest time possible. The
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47kWh battery is available with AC or DC charging capability. The 79kWh battery is fused to the same 90kW motor and receives the same power and torque outputs as the 47kWh battery, however provides a longer range of up to 192 miles. e-Ducato with the 79kWh battery takes just four hours to charge from 0-100% and is also available with AC or DC charging capability. These figures still do not impede on the versatility of e-Ducato: it receives a best-inclass payload of up to 1,950kg and maintains the same best-in-class volumes as ICE Ducato of between 10m3 and 17m3.
Range is maximised in e-Ducato through its regenerative braking system, with the van storing energy as it is driven downhill. This ensures range isn’t wasted and is stored for when needed most. The e-Ducato also provides the driver with three driving mode options: • Normal which gives optimal balance between performance and economy; • Eco for an increase in the available range by managing acceleration response in order to reduce energy consumption and deactivation of air conditioning; and • Power mode for facing full-load missions. A fourth, ‘Turtle mode’, is activated when battery power reaches near-to 0% level. The vehicle alerts the user and activates a specific driving mode with strongly reduced performance to extend the remaining range e-Ducato is available in two trim levels – standard and eTecnico – and three main configurations – goods van, chassis cab and passenger van. Key to any van is its versatile loading arrangements, and here the e-Ducato offers a host of options in keeping with the range’s reputation for being a van for all reasons. Continued on page 42
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