Geoff Middleton
We’ve been waiting for a long time for the IVECO eDaily. The all-electric model made its public debut at the Brisbane Truck Show in 2023, and since then the team at IVECO Australia has been hard at work refining the eDaily for our market.
And now here it is. The eDaily range can be ordered in several van and cab-chassis variants and with either one, two or three batteries depending on configuration, with combined battery capacities of up to 111kWh producing power and torque of up to 140kW and 400Nm.
There are three van variants on offer at the moment, with GVMs of 4.2 tonnes to 5.2 tonnes and overall lengths from 4100mm to 6109mm. Internal volumes range from nine cubic metres up to a massive 16 cubic metres for the high-roof long-wheelbase model.
Cab-chassis models come with GVMs of 4495kg for car-licence drivers, right up to 7.2 tonnes for operators that have a light-duty truck licence. Both single and dual rear wheels are available for van and cab-chassis variants.
An electric PTO producing up to 15kW and 400V is available to provide energy for refrigeration, cranes and other implements. Power supply from the batteries make it possible to use the ePTO even when the eMotor is switched off, too.
The all-important range of the vans is quoted as 200kms, while the cab-chassis models have a maximum range of 180kms.
Who’s it for?
With such a wide range of model options, the IVECO eDaily is suitable for a myriad of urban applications.
One of the most appropriate applications would be back-to-base delivery, where the vehicles can be recharged while operators are waiting to be reloaded.
However, local trade fleets in cities or large towns would also benefit in a big way from the cab-chassis or even the van versions as they can drive them to job sites and then use the batteries to power tools.
One of the big positives with the eDaily is that the interior and most of the controls – even switchgear – are exactly the same is the regular diesel Daily. This means that a fleet owner with regular Dailys can slot an eDaily into the fleet and any driver, with a small amount of coaching, can drive it.
It’s a similar case for bodybuilders too. All the main electrical components sit within the conventional chassis with no protruding parts, and the chassis itself carries the exact same body mounting positions as the diesel product, ensuring body fitment remains simple.
Powertrain
The eDaily is powered by a single electric motor that gives 140kW of power and 400Nm of torque instantly. Power is supplied from either two or three batteries and the modular battery installation allows you to align your eDaily range with the job at hand.
IVECO says that with the two-battery pack, the smaller van will have a range of 200kms and with three batteries it will have a range of 300kms. Our 72C test unit had three batteries, with a claimed range of 180kms. However, in our real-world testing we found this to be very much on the conservative side.
We were told by one of the IVECO engineers that the quoted range is a ‘worst-case scenario’ with the truck loaded to full GVM and with an unsympathetic driver.
Tech and Safety
Being a European van, it’s really a given that the eDaily fairly bristles with safety features. Along with the introduction of optional new Proactive Lane Keep Assist, new Daily models feature a wide range of active and passive safety features.
In addition to front and rear disc brakes with ABS, and driver as well as passenger front and curtain airbags, the range includes an Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), adaptive cruise control, and ESP9, IVECO’s suite of nine electronic stability technologies.
Lately, cooling of the electrical and battery systems has been in the news, and we were told that the eDaily has two cooling systems – one for the battery pack and one for the other electrical systems.
During the development phase, the system was successfully tested in extreme conditions, from -30°C to +50°C.
On the Road
Our test vehicle was an eDaily 72C with a Pantech body loaded with a 2000kg payload, which is approximately 75 percent of its maximum payload.
The test route would take us to the south-east of Melbourne with a combination of highway and city driving and with a steep climb up a long hill to test the pulling power of the electric motor and a good test of the regenerative braking on the downhill.
The eDaily has three driving modes, Sailing, Regenerative Braking and One Pedal Drive. Sailing mode is designed for highway and freeway driving where minimal regen braking is required, Regenerative Braking is for more stop-start driving and the One Pedal mode is for getting the maximum out of the regen system and thus lengthening the range.
In addition, there is a switch for normal driving or for Power mode, obviously for more power for overtaking or hills.
Selection of modes and forward, neutral and reverse is done via a shifter, which is the same as the transmission shifter on the regular Daily, and it sticks out of the dash. Simple.
I slipped the shifter into drive, selected Regenerative Braking mode and we were off. The first thing to notice, as with all electric vehicle, is the quietness. The eDaily does emit a noise at speeds below 40km/h, and this feature has an acronym that I can’t remember, but it is to warn pedestrians that it is coming – it’s that quiet.
Next is the suspension. The 72C has a really well sorted suspension setup that soaks up bumps and potholes like a European car. It is a beautifully comfortable ride, only enhanced by a lovely seat that features an adjustable arm rest on the left-hand side.
Power is instant and the 400Nm of torque comes on song, instantly getting the loaded IVECO up to speed easily and smoothly. On the freeway, I had no trouble keeping up with the traffic and had to keep an eye on the speedo so I didn’t go over the limit.
It’s worth noting that in Sailing mode in the regular drive setting, speed is limited to 90km/h to conserve energy, but slip it into One Pedal mode with the power setting and the eDaily is good for 120km/h.
Climbing up the long, steep hill that I often use for testing trucks of all sizes, we were actually accelerating, and the handling of the eDaily on the sharp curves was fantastic. The suspension combined with the excellent electric power steering makes this a very smooth and safe-handling vehicle – no doubt aided by the low centre of gravity achieved by the batteries in between the chassis rails.
I have driven many electric trucks and vans, and I am quite used to regenerative braking so I like to drive the eDaily in One Pedal mode, however some drivers might find it a bit harsh and opt for Regenerative Braking mode or even Sailing mode – either way you can adjust the response of the eDaily to suit your personal driving style which is a great thing if you’re sitting in it all day.
I have to say that I was impressed by the eDaily. It is a dream to drive and goes about its business with no fuss and in a sophisticated and comfortable manner.
Fleet Verdict
The IVECO eDaily in either van or cab-chassis form is a vehicle that will easily slot into any fleet – especially if that fleet already has some IVECO products in it.
It is very easy to drive, it has good range and will carry a decent load with ease.
IVECO Australia’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Blaire Race told us that the eDaily has already been on sale in Europe for over two years and the company has had them on the road in customer fleets here in Australia for 18 months with excellent results – so the runs are already on the board.
IVECO is backing the eDaily with a warranty on the batteries of eight years and up to 250,000 kilometres alongside the regular (extendable) warranty of three years/250,000.
IVECO eDaily 72C Quick Specs:
- Power: 140kW
- Torque: 400Nm
- Batteries: 3 x 37kWh total 111kWh
- Range: 180kms at GVM
- Wheelbase: 4350mm
- GVM: 7200kg
- Payload: 3500kg excluding body
