Being showcased in Hanover will be the new Fiat Fiorino with electric traction, a development of the design that created the Doblò Electric; it is produced by Micro-Vett, the leading company in Europe in the “Zero Emission Vehicles” sector.

The new Fiat Fiorino with electric traction is a development of the design that created the Doblò Electric – the vehicle chosen by various public authorities and companies - and is produced by Micro-Vett, the leading company in Europe in the “Zero Emission Vehicles” sector, that avails itself of the co-operation of the Centro Ricerche Fiat (Fiat Research Centre). It will be showcased at this month's Hanover Commercial Vehicle Show.

Therefore, the Fiorino Electric is not a show van but a practical solution for specific customers that wish to combine their transport needs and protect the environment. In particular, the new vehicle is ideal for distribution and transport services in urban areas where the technical features of an electric traction vehicle are enhanced. In fact, statistics referred to various European cities indicate an average distance travelled that is less than 30 km for the majority of users (95% of the users travel a distance of less than 100 km in one day).

The Fiorino Electric will be on sale at the end of year and is equipped with a three-phase asynchronous electric motor with an output of 30 / 60 kW achieving an acceleration from 0 to 50 km/h in 6.4 seconds and can reach a maximum speed that exceeds 100 km/h. An outstanding performance (a 20% gradient can be climbed at full load) confirming that electric traction represents a valid alternative to vehicles equipped with conventional engines in the town/city. The motor is supplied by the batteries via the interposition of a three-phase DC/AC inverter to maximise performance and to ensure high efficiency.

The motor has a nominal torque of 130 Nm, made available when stationary up to 2,300 r.p.m. In addition, the motor can provide a transition torque of 260 Nm, to ensure brilliant starting when stationary and peak power when climbing gradients. As regards the power output, the 30 kW delivered continuously by the motor (starting from 2,200 r.p.m.) enables the town/city traffic to be addressed with agility and safety. Moreover, the peak power is twice the value compared with the nominal power, enabling the vehicle to perform brilliantly when overtaking. The Fiorino Electric will be also be available with a 65 Nm nominal torque motor (130 Nm peak torque value) and with a maximum power output of 15/30 kW.

Therefore, a generous performance that is combined with a spacious loading area (usable volume: 2.5 m3 that can become 2.8 m3 with the front passenger seat folded down) and a maximum payload of 450 kg, enabling the new Fiorino Electric to be particularly well-suited to transporting small/medium size parcels in urban areas, restricted traffic areas (ZTL), markets and hospitals.

The energy accumulation system is worthy of a separate mention, since the batteries have been chosen on a global ‘best practice’ basis. In particular, lithium ion accumulators are used: they are characterised by a distinctly superior duration in terms of recharge cycles compared with other battery types, and are capable of being recharged without being damaged and rapidly even if not fully discharged and without harmful or hazardous gas emissions. In particular, the batteries are housed in three high-resistance steel structures positioned in areas which, in the case of the base vehicle, house the mechanical components, the spare wheel and the exhaust system, therefore without reducing the volume and without increasing the vehicle's overall dimensions (the spare wheel is replaced by the fix&go tire inflating kit). It is important to mention that the batteries ensure a range that exceeds 100 km according to the ECE 101 urban cycle and are recharged in 6-8 hours using the domestic mains supply with a 3 kW socket (the recharging operation is completed in only 3 hours if a 9 kW mains supply is available).

The Fiorino Electric inherits all the points of strength of the base model: the same original exterior design, the same interior solutions greatly appreciated for the excellent ergonomic features, visibility and flexibility. The scheme adopted for the suspensions has not been changed compared with the base version: Mc Pherson type independent wheels (front suspension), torsion bar (rear suspension). In the same way the dynamic features of the electric traction vehicle are fully comparable with the features of the Fiorino version equipped with a thermal engine. The driving comfort is excellent, thanks to the detailed fine tuning of the electronic system, with special attention being paid to the motor management solutions, to proportion the torque delivered gradually, to the full advantage of the drivability and driving pleasure.