Fiat E-Scudo electric van review (2023)

• Effortless torque, and very refined
• Automatic transmission and light steering
• Handles well

If you've had a Fiat fleet for a while and are looking for the next generation, you won't regret boldly going for the E-Scudo. When the original Eurovan family was developed Fiat was crucial to the project, and after a short distraction in the form of the Renault-based Talento it's back in the fold.

Designed for electric power right from the start, the E-Scudo is a thoroughly modern van that feels cohesive and capable.

What powers the E-Scudo?

Driving the front wheels, there's a 100kW electric motor. Equivalent to 136hp, it's more powerful than the entry-level diesel and offers a useful 260Nm of torque. There's no clutch, no complex gearbox, and no combustion cycle to smooth out so the end result is stronger, quieter and simpler than any traditional diesel, and it's got the potential to be very long-lived.

Better yet, that torque is delivered almost instantly, and the van is brisk off the line and up to urban speeds, yet immensely easy relaxing for the driver.

It offers three driving modes – Normal, Eco and Sport – to tailor response and range. Ultimately even in power mode, if you accelerate and drive at the same speed you can in Eco mode the range is pretty much the same.

What’s the E-Scudo like to drive?

Responsive, and well behaved. You can, if you wish, race away from the lights rather dramatically, but you can also tip-toe around pedestrianised precincts with absolute precision, a gentle electronic hum alerting people to your presence. Without clutch or gears, once you've become accustomed to the E-Scudo you won't want those traditional controls back.

A limiter keeps it below 81mph, and it'll reach 60mph rapidly if needed. Compared to a diesel van it's another world, a very quiet one.

What are the driving modes for?

Fiat hasn't altered the programmes for the driving modes, so this is familiar territory. The three driving modes are very distinct, and place limits on power output to prevent you aggressively wasting range with the sort of habitual accelerator movements you end up learning with a diesel.

Normal mode is a practical blend of performance and efficiency. Restricting the motor to 80kW, equivalent to 109hp, this setting is about the same as driving a typical smaller diesel. Strong initial response means you’ll only really notice the difference between Sport and Normal mode if you drive flat-out all the time.

There's more to the Eco mode. It holds the motor back to 60kW (81.5hp) and reduces the power consumption of air-conditioning and other accessories in order to extend the range. If you're anxious about how much charge you have left, flicking Eco mode on will usually add a reassuring extra few miles to the digital dashboard remaining range display.

It might feel a bit sluggish with a full load in this mode, but it's still quick enough for normal traffic.

If you want your full 136hp, Sport mode unlocks the maximum 100kW. Aside from the drop in predicted range, you can feel the extra power and responsiveness from the pedal. It lends credence to the car-like claims for the E-Scudo as, without the distraction of changing gear, you can enjoy the handling more.

What’s the real-world driving range?

In summer, driven gently, the Fiat E-Scudo can deliver close to the claimed range both in the brochure, and on the dashboard.

Our experience of similar vans is that in cold weather, or driven aggressively, that range can fall very rapidly, though that is partly down to the way the van recalibrates its range estimates as you drive.

We found the related Vivaro-e would adapt its predictions for different driving styles very quickly, so as you become familiar with the E-Scudo and it becomes familiar with you, the remaining range prediction should become more realistic and trustworthy.

You will also find small changes in driving style can have a bigger impact – and more immediate – than with combustion engines.

Activated by a B (for Brake) button on the centre console, the regeneration mode is less versatile than some electric vehicles. It applies some braking effect while charging the battery, saving on brake pads, smoothing deceleration, and overall delivering a gentler driving experience.

It's best switched on below 40mph and in urban environments as every roundabout becomes a chance to recover wasted energy, and disabled on faster roads. However, it is a fixed-rate system so you can't increase the braking effect or use one-pedal driving.

The range does fall in winter, but it's also worth remembering that charging can take longer in cold conditions too. For this reason alone the 75kWh battery may be essential for year-round operation, allowing a good range without being fully charged every time.

• Familiar interior and controls
• Simple forward-reverse switch, no gearlever
• Cab is still relatively small

The E-Scudo - and Scudo - share the same interior as the other vans, aside from the badging. That means a soft-curved and car-like dashboard, a slightly offset driving position, and just changes to the gauges and gear selector to mark it out as electric.

What has changed?

In place of a rev counter there's a power meter. It shows how much energy is being used, gives a hint as to how much energy you can have in your selected driving mode, and how much is going back to the battery when you coast, brake or use cruise control with B-mode on.

There's no gearlever, just a toggle switch for forward and reverse set into the dashboard next to the buttons for park and B mode. The drive mode selector is on the same panel, so intuitive to reach for.

You can select an energy flow display on the touchscreen, which gives a graphic representation of the battery and motor.

Is the cabin that small?

This family of vans is based on a car platform, and it shows in how compact the cab is. It's not uncomfortably cramped, but if you're used to stretching out and scattering things everywhere in a lorry-like environment this is more cosy.

There's a reasonable amount of storage, but the door bins are adequate rather than cavernous, and some drivers may find the steering wheel, pedals and seat slightly offset, giving a twisted driving position. Our testers have mixed feelings about how much of an impact this has, but it suggests that 'one size does not fit all'.

It's not an E-Scudo feature - all five brands, diesel or electric, share this trait. You should take time for more than just a quick sit in the showroom to make sure it's comfortable for you or your drivers.

• Total cost of ownership comparable to diesel
• Battery warranty of eight years, three for the whole van
• Well equipped overall

Even as energy prices fluctuate electricity remains the most cost-effective solution per mile, and depending on your distances and charging infrastructure the additional premium of an electric vehicle of any kind usually fits into the budget needed to run a diesel equivalent. That's ignoring the benefits of zero emissions and any PR, personal ethics or local business incentives that may be in place, too.

The only time you may find electricity more expensive than diesel – and less convenient – is at higher-speed public chargers. If you're investing in a fleet of electric vans then factoring in the cost of on-site charging and availability is an inevitable burden, but one that gives you control over your fuel supply even in the event of shortages at the pumps.

Convenience is evolving for electric vans, and the traditional 'charge overnight on cheap electricity' approach has complementary tech in development, such as wireless charging pads that could top up a battery while loading. It's early days, but trials are underway.

Electric vehicles attract a lower burden of tax as well, both as a personal benefit and as a business asset and tool.

Fiat E-Scudo service intervals

Thanks to fewer moving parts to wear and fluids and filters to change, the Fiat E-Scudo should be very easy to maintain. Regenerative braking even ensures pads and discs last longer, and less soot and oil means fewer contaminants on bodywork and trim.

For warranty and making sure everything is in good order, servicing intervals are 25,000 miles or two years, whichever is sooner. The first service is still required at one year or 12,500 miles.

Fiat E-Scudo warranty

Fiat provide a three-year / 100,000-mile warranty, with extended cover for the battery components up to eight-years / 100,000-mile warranty.

Standard equipment

The E-Scudo comes in a choice of three trim levels: SX, Technico and Business. However, the SX level is only offered on the chassis-cab model.

Fiat E-Scudo Tecnico standard equipment highlights:

• Twin sliding side doors
• Moduwork load-through bulkhead
• Cruise control and speed limiter
• Six-way adjustable driver’s seat
• Dual front passenger seat
• Automatic lights and wipers
• Rear parking sensors
• 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Electric, heated door mirrors
• Alarm

Fiat E-Scudo Business standard equipment highlights (in addition to Tecnico):

• Satellite-navigation
• Head-up display
• Lane-departure warning
• Blindspot monitors
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Front parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Metallic paint

Double cab crew vans are available as both SWB and LWB, in Tecnico or Business specification.

The van that the E-Scudo is based on has a fair number of official recalls, though these could just as easily indicate that any issues discovered are being very proactively addressed.

Although the E-Scudo is new, it has identical versions that have been on sale for long enough that any problems with the electric powertrain would have become well known, and so far, those vans have been reliable. Stellantis uses the same motor and battery tech across thousands of electric vehicles, so the technology is being proven in more than just one van design.

• Lots of safety kit on the highest-spec models
• Euro NCAP Silver award
• Alarm fitted as standard

Unsurprisingly, the Business spec carries the best safety kit.

You'll find the essentials in the Technico – driver’s airbag, electronic stability control (ESC) – but Business comes as standard with modern active safety aids such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blindspot monitors and lane-departure warning.

Euro NCAP tested the identical Vauxhall Vivaro when evaluating van safety, earning it a reasonable Silver award, which the Fiat E-Scudo can equally wear with pride.

Business models feature a head up display, and there's an optional driver alert camera system.

All versions of the E-Scudo come with an alarm as standard.