Fiat Professional (Stellantis) introduces the new E-Scudo van. Range up to 330 km
Basically, Fiat Professional has been working a lot on three particular aspects to win over potential customers with regard to the new E-Scudo van: range, driving comfort and compact dimensions. Our report from Turin.
Fiat Professional, a brand of the Stellantis group, introduced the new E-Scudo van in Turin. During an event addressed to the international press, the Fiat E-Ulysse for passenger transport, as well as a version of the ICE-powered Ducato enhanced with new ADAS functions were also introduced. Fiat Professional, therefore, enriches its offer in the electric van segment after last year’s commercialization of the E-Ducato, awarded with the Sustainable Truck of the year 2022 in the Van category.
The strengths of the new E-Scudo
Basically, Fiat Professional has been working a lot on three particular aspects to win over potential customers with regard to the new E-Scudo van: the range (declared, according to the WLTP standard) of up to 330 kilometers in the configuration with 75 kWh batteries; the extremely compact dimensions of the basic version of the van, which has a maximum height of 1.9 metres and a length of less than 5 metres. Payload and towing capacity are both around 1 tonne. Finally, driving comfort: the revised Scudo was created with the aim of offering professionals who use the vehicle for 8 hours or more a day comfort and safety comparable to a passenger car. The E-Scudo allows charging in both AC and DC up to 100 kW, with the possibility of recharging 80% of the battery in up to 45 minutes.
«In terms of driving comfort, it’s an absolutely passenger car-like setup», said Eric Laforge – Enlarged Europe LCV Manager at Stellantis, who is also optimistic about the development of electrification. «In the future we will all use electric commercial vehicles, I am pretty sure of that. Our strategy includes an electrified vehicle proposal in every segment of the range. Today we see an ever-increasing demand, particularly in last mile delivery. In the long run, therefore, we will have an adequate offer in segments C, D and E». No word on further announcements, but something is likely to happen by the end of this year.
ADAS options and functionalities
Several options are available for the cargo version, one of those envisaged by the manufacturer together with the chassis cab and Combi M1: in addition to the basic version (1.9 meters high and 5 meters long) there are also the “S”, just 4.6 meters long and the Maxi of 5.3 meters. The load volume varies depending on the wheelbase from 4.6 to 6.1 cubic meters. The E-Scudo van has a 136-hp engine, while there are two possible battery configuration: besides the aforementioned 75 kWh battery packs, customers can select a lighter option with 50 kWh, offering a range of 230 km.
There is a full complement of ADAS functions (14 in total), including automatic sign recognition, emergency braking, Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Alert. We tested the usefulness of the Head Up Display, which provides basic information, including navigation, without having to lower your eyes. Finally, the Magic Cargo feature means the passenger seat can be turned into an additional cargo area for carrying items up to 4 meters long or a workstation.
Following the E-Ducato path
Range, dimensions, comfort and safety, then, for the electric Scudo to follow the same path as the E-Ducato. About the latter, here’s an answer given by Eric Laforge to one of our questions: «After just one year, we are second in market share with the E-Ducato. The feedback we’re getting from customers – including large companies like DHL and Amazon – who are using the vehicle is overwhelmingly positive. The segment is growing strongly and we expect the share of electric commercial vehicles to double year on year until the end of this decade».
