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In 2022, Fiat's third generation Scudo van got a full-EV variant, the E-Scudo. The brand called this 'a van for true professionals' and it was the Italian marque's interpretation of the mid-sized full-electric design shared by other Stellantis Group models. Here though, it was backed by a dealer service network far better suited to demanding commercial needs. If the current state of commercial vehicle EV technology makes sense for you in this sector, it's quite a convincing proposition. Here, we look at the original pre-facelift 2022-2024-era version as a used buy.
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History
The design of vans may increasingly these days be very much the same but the dealer network and servicing support you get from different brands still differs widely. So you need to think beyond the test drive and spec sheet figures. Do that if you're in search of a used 1.0-tonne mid-sized electric van from the 2022-2024 period and there's just a chance your enquiries could lead you to this one, the original version of Fiat's E-Scudo.
The Scudo nameplate is unlikely to be that familiar. It was reintroduced to the Fiat Professional van range in 2022 after a gap of six years, during which the company's mid-sized models were badged 'Talento'. The Scudo model line's return came as its maker reverted to the shared EMP2 Stellantis Group platform, which meant there could also be an all-electric version, this E-Scudo.
But it also meant this full-battery LCV had to compete against three near-identical Stellantis Group models with different badges - the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, the Citroen e-Dispatch and the Peugeot e-Expert, plus another near-identical model, the Toyota Proace Electric. From that list, the E-Scudo might not initially be your first pick if prices were similar. But unlike its rivals, it came with the advantage of backing from a dealer network designed for commercials, rather than cars; many of the franchises are also in sister brand IVECO's network of service centres. That could be significant. This LCV was updated in Spring 2024, but it's the pre-facelift 2022-2024-era Scudo we concentrate on here.
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What you get
Apart from the badge work, there's little to set this full-electric Scudo apart from its diesel-engined stablemates. As with the combustion models, there's a choice of short wheelbase 'Standard' or long wheelbase 'Maxi' variants, but Fiat didn't offer a high roof option with either powertrain. Visually, it looks pretty similar to the Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall and Toyota versions of this design, but to differentiate the Scudo, there's a Fiat-specific front grille, complete with the company's brand badge, plus a swept-back pair of headlamps.
Inside, it's all pretty identical to the Scudo diesel, though the gear lever gets replaced by a drive selector and, next to it, a rocker switch for clicking between the various driving modes. In the instrument binnacle, in place of the usual righthand rev counter you get a Power Meter with 'Eco', 'Charge' and 'Power' sections. Further up are little gauges for battery charge and one showing whether you're using the powertrain on 'Max' or 'Eco'. A little screen between the main dials can be set to a PowerFlow Monitor showing state of charge and what's being powered by what, which is also duplicated in larger form on a 7-inch centre infotainment screen.
As in any ordinary Scudo, there's quite a low seating position (for a van), with plenty of seat and wheel adjustment. As usual in this class, a three-person bench seat is fitted and on most variants there's a Moduwork bulkhead flap so that longer items can be pushed through from the cargo area.
The EV drivetrain doesn't affect the cargo area. Carriage capacity is unchanged over an ordinary diesel Scudo, at 5.3 m3 for the Standard-length version and 6.1 m3 for the lwb Maxi variant. The only practical area where you really suffer with the electric model is in terms of maximum payload, which will be around 200kg down on what you'd get from the 2.0-litre diesel. The payload is 1,226kg in the Standard-length model and 1,000kg in the Maxi version. Predictably, you won't be able to tow as much with an electric Scudo as with a diesel one, but (unlike some rivals) at least it can tow - up to 1,000kgs.
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What to look for
There are no major issues reported with this electric E-Scudo, but do a thorough full charge to check the system through. The drive battery should have quite a bit of life in it. When the battery is on its way out, you'll obviously find that it won't go as far on each charge - and when it starts to run low on charge, you'll find that the car will particularly start to struggle going uphill. When it gets old, the lithium-ion battery used here can suffer from the ionised liquid in the battery freezing certain cells; those cells are then unable to receive charge.
These vans are pretty tough, but there are a few things you'll need to look out for. It's the usual advice with large LCVs to buy on condition rather than year and look for a van that has tended to have performed lightweight delivery duties rather than consistently butting up against its payload limits. Make sure that all the connectivity works properly - Bluetooth-linking and so on. Check for load bay scuffs and scratches. And insist on a fully stamped-up service history.
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Replacement parts
(approx based on an E-Scudo - 2022)
Air filters are around £8-£40. Front brake pads are around £28-£111 - it's £33-£51 for a set of rear pads. A pair of front brake discs cost in the £41-£60 bracket. A pair of rear brake discs are typically in the £27-£53 bracket. Wiper blades are around £6-£20. A headlight is in the £256-£308 bracket.
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On the road
This early E-Scudo van came with a choice of batteries. The smaller of the two has 50kWh and won't take you very far - up to 142 miles combined, or up to 196 miles in the city. With the pricier 75kWh battery fitted to your E-Scudo van, there's a 205 mile combined range, which rises to 267 miles in the city.
If you're wondering what driving a full-electric mid-sized van might be like, well, there's not too much to get your head around. You turn the key in the ignition, wait for the starting beep, then flick the gear toggle into Drive. There's a drive-mode selector that allows drivers to switch between 'Eco', 'Normal' and 'Sport' modes. The 'Normal' setting restricts you to 109hp and will feel a bit like driving a lower capacity diesel. 'Eco' mode restricts you further to 81.5hp and reduces the power consumption of the air conditioning and other accessories. If you want the full 136hp of the electric motor, selecting 'Sport' mode unlocks it. There's also a gearshift selector 'B' option that ploughs extra regenerated energy back into the battery, offering more resistance while you're slowing down. Top speed is just 84mph.
Charging via a 7.4kW wall box (11kW for faster charging is an option) will take over 7 hours for the 50kWh battery - it's more than 11 hours for the 75kWh unit. If you find a 100kW DC rapid charger when you're out and about, you'll be able to get the smaller battery from near empty to 80% full around half an hour: it'll take around 45 minutes to do the same with the larger capacity unit. A 13amp Type2 cable in a domestic socket will give you six miles of range per hour - and will need around 36 hours for a full charge.
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Overall
There's quite a lot to like here. As we've seen with Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall and Toyota versions of this same all-electric design, the E-Scudo is as class-competitive as you can currently get in the important areas of driving range, practicality and running costs for a mid-sized EV van of this kind.
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