A year ago, FCA introduced the prototype of the E-Ducato, the fully electric BEV (battery electric vehicle) developed by Fiat Professional on the brand’s path towards locally emission-free vehicles. In the course of this year, FCA continued to develop the new model using simulation tools despite all the difficulties due to the lockdown in recent months. The sales staff at Fiat Professional familiarized themselves in depth with the new transporter in the virtual conference, which is now ready to be launched in pilot projects with selected customers.
The E-Ducato is the result of an extensive series of measurements and tests, in which all usage variables of the different customer types as well as dynamic, load and environmental aspects were taken into account. Today’s “World Environment Day” offers an opportunity to focus on the new 100% electrical solution for a vehicle that is 100% Ducato, which can contribute to the future sustainability of mobility and the economy. The new electric vehicle, together with the methane-powered Ducato Natural Power, will soon complete the alternative drive systems that Fiat Professional uses to meet the challenges of the market.
The new logo
To mark the beginning of this new electrical era, the logo created by the FCA Style Center makes its debut as a symbolic embrace of the bestseller’s future and present. The logo itself consists of two different elements: a letter “E” in blue – the color traditionally associated with innovation and sustainability, and a “D” for Ducato in brushed silver above it to emphasize the strong, recognizable character of a vehicle that doesn’t need the limelight to shine.
This 100% electric van will write a new chapter in the history of Ducato, the legend that first appeared 39 years ago and that has been continually revitalized with its commercial success and groundbreaking technologies. “100% electric, The electric version of the Ducato will be the flagship of Fiat Professional for electromobility and especially for the transition from “vehicle choice” to “mobility choice”, which due to specific work and business factors the concept of vehicle purchase from “Total Cost of Ownership” “Total Cost of Mobility” is changing. In this way, Fiat Professional demonstrates more than ever its full commitment to the development of vehicles that are tailored precisely to customer needs. The electric version of the Ducato will be the flagship of Fiat Professional for electromobility and especially for the transition from “vehicle choice” to “mobility choice”, which due to specific work and business factors the concept of vehicle purchase from “Total Cost of Ownership” “Total Cost of Mobility” is changing. In this way, Fiat Professional demonstrates more than ever its full commitment to the development of vehicles that are tailored precisely to customer needs.
Developed by professionals with the support of professionals
For over a year, the development of the E-Ducato included the analysis of more than 28,000 connected vehicles with combustion engines over more than 50 million kilometers of road tests and measurements from the customer’s point of view in order to take into account all variables of customer use, dynamics, load and environmental aspects.
The analyzes focused on mileage, model variability for each type of task, fuel costs, vehicle usage and temperature.
With this approach, Fiat Professional pursues the goal of offering comprehensive solutions for electromobility. Based on an analysis of energy requirements, these solutions will not only cover every single task, but will also provide answers that range from the vehicle to the infrastructure. Not to mention a range of everyday services that are increasingly needed due to new and emerging mobility.
In addition to a full range of body and body versions, the E-Ducato also offers modular battery size options with ranges from 220 to 360 kilometers (NEDC cycle) and a variety of charging configurations. It also has a high performance potential: speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour for improved energy absorption, maximum output of 90 kW and maximum torque of 280 Newton meters 1. The new electric motor does not impair the traditional strengths of the Ducato, such as its best-in-class loading volume of ten to 17 cubic meters and the best-in-class payload of up to 1,950 kilograms. What’s more, the E-Ducato is 100% connected, with an exclusive set of features that meet the business and electrification needs of every type of customer, from user choirers and self-drivers to large fleets that use a management system. Fiat Professional uses its technological heritage and experience to develop the electric version of its bestseller.
A flagship model
The new E-Ducato makes no compromises: 100% Ducato, 100% electric. It will therefore be the flagship of Fiat Professional for electromobility and, above all, for the increasingly clear transition from the “choice of vehicle” to the “choice of mobility”, since the concept of “Total” is due to specific work and business factors Cost of Ownership “moved to” Total Cost of Mobility “.
Comprehensive training for a new sales process
In order for the professional experience with the E-Ducato to begin even before boarding, Fiat Professional organized training days for the sales force in February, in which 265 sales representatives and sales representatives as well as managers from 124 dealerships in the most important markets took part. They also carried out test drives on the Balocco test track and got to know the new fully electric driving modes. The new WLTP homologation process and its effects on the world of vehicles with special equipment were also discussed in detail. Lectures on mobile workshops on cooling and passenger vans reflected the versatility, which has always been one of the strengths of the Fiat Professional Ducato.
Virtual training
Given the current safety-related distance measures, Fiat Professional continued the training in a virtual format. Each distance training focused in detail on the product. The technical specifications and line-up of the E-Ducato were discussed in detail, with special attention to its innovative aspects. All virtual classrooms were a complete success and were visited diligently. For example, there were already 310 participants from Germany, 120 from Poland and 210 from non-EEA regions, while online training will soon begin in the other European markets, including Spain, France and the UK.
On its way to the market, the E-Ducato will soon be subjected to extensive field tests by partner customers under normal working conditions. On this basis, the E-Ducato is being prepared for its market launch, which should take place in the next few months.
