SCUD WITH A SPARK (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 91

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.

Modelsword count: 3

Medium-sized van (Full-Electric)

Historyword count: 251

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.

What You Getword count: 358

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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