Fiat Professional’s
light commercial vehicle (LCV), the Ducato, has welcomed an electric
powertrain. Shown to the press in prototype form, it will arrive at dealers
next year and is seen as the brand’s “key product in the field of electric
mobility”.
Adding the
different battery size options, which by the way have yet to be detailed, hasn’t
affected its practicality. Thus, the Ducato Electric retains its class-leading
load volumes, from 10 to 17 cubic meters, as well as a payload
of up to 1,950 kg, according to the preliminary information.
Like the
ICE-powered Ducatos, it will be available in different configurations that suit
the needs of those operating in online commerce, postal and courier services,
local transport, food deliveries and so on. Moreover, it will evade the traffic
restrictions in different city centers.
We said that Fiat
has yet to detail the modular battery packs, but they did announce the range,
which varies between 220 and 360 km. These have been measured
in the old NEDC cycle, so expect less in the WLTP standard, and a very modest
driving range in the real world. The electric motor has a maximum output of 90
kW (122 PS) and 280 Nm of torque. Top speed has also been
limited to 100 km/h to optimize the energy use.
The Electric joins
the natural gas-powered variant of the LCV, named the Natural Power, to
complete the brand’s alternative fuel offering.
