Fiat Professional has carried out a small study in the UK that it says proves that driving an electric van is less stressful than the diesel equivalent.
Working with a leading psychoacoustician, Fiat set a group of drivers the challenge of driving an all-electric E-Ducato around a simulated parcel delivery run in central London, then had them repeat the 20-minute exercise in a conventional Ducato diesel.
Using data gathered from a biometric smart watch, the test shows not only that electric vans are quieter inside – no kidding – but also that they generate lower levels of stress in their drivers.
Parkers actually took part in the study, so let’s see how those results compare with our own experience.
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In what ways is driving an electric van less stressful?
The Van Delivery Stress Test, as Fiat is calling it, was overseen by Dr Duncan Williams, who’s an expert on the physiological and psychological impact of sound and other factors on stress levels.
The stress levels here were measured in two ways: by an Empatica E4, a medical grade monitoring device similar to highly sophisticated Fitbit that measures sweat level, heart rate, body temperature and blood volume pressure; and via a short questionnaire after each run.
In addition to this, two different types of sound level were measured inside the van, loudness and shrillness.
Both the data from the smart device and the surveys pointed towards the lower noise levels inside the E-Ducato as being key factors in the electric van feeling less stressful to drive. In fact, the surveys suggested this even more clearly than the biometric data, suggesting a strong relationship between drivers’ perceived stress levels and the noise they experience on the road.
This tallies with European statistics, which suggest that ‘around 100 million people in the EU are negatively impacted by road traffic noise pollution.’
>> Best electric vans you can buy in the UK
How much quieter is the E-Ducato inside?
Dr Williams measured the difference between the two models at 10 decibels – which actually makes the Ducato diesel nearly four times louder inside than the E-Ducato. That’s said to be the equivalent of someone talking from about a metre away and shouting from the same distance.
The ‘sharpness’ of the noise was measured at 55% higher, and its sharpness and shrillness that tends to make a sound more annoying.
No surprise, then, that typical comments on the survey about driving the electric Ducato included ‘very low in-cabin noise levels’ and ‘more peaceful to drive.’
However, the diesel also had its fans, with some commenting after driving that it was a ‘comforting’ and ‘familiar’ sound, even if it was louder.
What was it like to take part in the test?
While my results ultimately tallied with the overall findings, the experience of taking part in the test didn’t immediately leave me thinking that an electric van was automatically the better choice. Quieter, certainly, and with the built-in convenience of a single-speed transmission, but the diesel Ducato’s torque and performance felt more than adequate for the task of buzzing around London, and at no point did I feel it was overly noisy inside.
The test itself was fairly straightforward – though moving a large van around a busy area of London is never going to be entirely smooth sailing.
Amusingly, the initial biometrics trace in the E-Ducato was skewed by me cutting my finger on the steering wheel adjustment lever just after getting in, and didn’t really calm down until I accidentally clipped the door mirror on a parked van while negotiating traffic. From that point on, I was serene – something that carried on into the drive of the diesel model, even though the variation within that drive was greater than in the E-Ducato. Which tallies with Dr Williams’ theories about the impact of the diesel Ducato’s noise levels.
Similarly, in the survey I marked the E-Ducato two full points less stressful than the diesel. Not intentional, just as part of my instinctive reaction following each drive (which is when the survey for each vehicle was taken).
Chatting to Dr Williams during and after the test, it was also interesting to note the observations he had made about the people taking part who – like me – effectively drive for their living. We all, he said, narrated the journey as we drove, spotting and commenting not just on hazards but everything around us. An interesting and tangible example of the way ‘professional’ drivers engage with their surroundings, no matter what kind of vehicle they’re steering.
Would you buy an E-Ducato?
In our experience of it so far, the E-Ducato has certainly left us with a good impression. This is a very capable large electric van, which offers a wide range of choice in body size and body type. You can check out our full Fiat E-Ducato review to find out more.
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