A DOB TO SAVE A FEW BOB (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_fiatedoblo_2023

By Jonathan Crouch

Fiat's E-Doblo is a small EV van with big ideas. Jonathan Crouch looks at the improved version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 47

If you think switching to electric with a small van will save money for your business in the long term, then you'll want one that'll be well looked after. Fiat's improved E-Doblo might well fit the bill. And there are few practical compromises over the diesel version.

Backgroundword count: 175

Small vans are of big importance when it comes to reducing smog in our cities. With other sizes of LCV, you can see why for many operators diesel still makes sense. Small vans though, less troubled by the issues of payload and range which trip up EV vans in other categories, ought to be electric. If you run a few in your fleet but you're still wedded to the black pump, then possibly you're just waiting for the right proposition to come along. Maybe this could be it - Fiat's E-Doblo, here usefully improved. Historically, the Doblo model line's been Fiat through and through, but the current generation version, first launched here in mid-2022 then improved in Spring 2024, is a platform-shared Stellantis Group design. Which means it's essentially the same thing as a Citroen e-Berlingo, a Peugeot E-Partner or a Vauxhall Combo Electric; the Toyota Proace City Electric's the same too. Which means that apart from the badging, the differences here lie in value, service support and warranty. As we'll see, these are significant.

Driving Experienceword count: 335

One day in the not-too-distant future, you won't be able to acquire a new van of this size with a combustion engine and if you want that day to come a bit sooner, then this E-Doblo is ready to oblige. It uses a 100kW motor driving the front wheels and powered by a 50kWh battery, which when fully charged can take the E-Doblo up to 205 miles. As usual with this powertrain, there are three driving modes, 'Normal', 'Eco' and 'Power'. You won't want to spend too long in 'ECO', unless you really are eeking out battery capacity because it reduces the powertrain's normal 134bhp output to just 80bhp and also restricts the climate system to conserve power. Fiat recommends that you do most of your driving in the 'Normal' setting, which increases the motor output to 107bhp. The top 'Power' mode isn't really intended for sporty driving but for situations when you're carrying heavy loads. The powertrain also has a 'B' setting which increases the level of regenerative braking to a point where the van slows so much when you come off throttle that you'll very rarely need to use the brake, unless you're coming to a complete stop. You need that B setting to get anywhere near the official driving range figure. As with all electric vehicles, this one has a bit of a weight problem - that drivetrain adds over 300kgs of bulk, but that arguably helps the E-Doblo when it comes to ride quality; you'll feel things like speed humps keenly, but at speed on the open road, it handles tarmac tears a little better than its diesel cousin. This E-Doblo feels really at home in an urban environment and you'll feel really confident in it because the steering is light and the suspension deals with poorer surfaces quite well. The rest to 62mph sprint takes 11.7s and the top speed is restricted to just 81mph, so this EV won't be as good as its diesel counterpart for extended motorway runs.

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