«««< HEAD A study by Fiat Professional has found that drivers feel less stressed when driving an electric van compared to a diesel-powered equivalent, largely due to the differing noise levels in the cabin.
Methods
As part of the study, drivers completed a twenty-minute circuit around parts of London in both a diesel Fiat Ducato and the company’s new all-electric E-Ducato with “penalties” for not completing drop-offs within a certain timeframe to add realism to the scenario.
The drivers were equipped with wearable devices measuring skin temperature, levels of sweat and heart rate. Microphones inside the cabins of both vans measured loudness and acoustic sharpness, both of which have been correlated with stress in humans. Following the run, the drivers were asked to complete a questionnaire to see how their perceived level of stress corresponded with that recorded by the wearable device.
Quieter = Less stressful
Overall, the study found that the relative quietness in the electric van’s cabin created a calmer, less stressful environment for the driver, with levels of sweat, skin temperature and heart rate lower than in the diesel Ducato.
As part of the questionnaire, drivers reported “marginally lower levels of stress” in the E-Ducato, although there was a discrepancy that showed the biometrically recorded stress indicators as being higher than the drivers’ reported levels of stress.
Noise levels in the diesel-powered Ducato were shown to be some ten decibels louder than in the E-Ducato - or around four times the electric van’s volume. Sound was also recorded as being 55 per cent sharper than in the E-Ducato.
Many of the participants reported that they preferred the quietness of the E-Ducato and that it was “more peaceful to drive”.
A number of the participants however, Fiat said, found the sound of the diesel engine to be comforting and more familiar with a perceived level of stress only a fraction higher than in the electric van.
According to psycho-acoustician Dr Duncan Williams, whose field involves measuring the effects of noise on humans and who collaborated with Fiat Professional on the survey:
“The results clearly show, especially the readings from the smart watch, a strong correlation between the quietness of the E-Ducato and lower levels of stress in comparison to an ICE van. It’s a fascinating result and, given the movement towards electric commercial vehicles, shows there are potentially more benefits to van drivers going electric beyond things like cost saving on fuel.”
A study from the World Health Organisation has shown that the health (mental and physical) of around 100 million people in Europe is negatively impacted by traffic noise pollution.
E-Ducato
The Fiat E-Ducato will shortly go on sale in Ireland and will provide a WLTP-certified electric range of 182- or 370km depending on whether buyers opt for the 47kWh or the 79kWh battery pack. A 90kW electric motor will drive the front wheels and the E-Ducato will be compatible with DC fast chargers up to 50kW and AC chargers up to 11kW.
A study by Fiat Professional has found that drivers feel less stressed when driving an electric van compared to a diesel-powered equivalent, largely due to the differing noise levels in the cabin.
Methods
As part of the study, drivers completed a twenty-minute circuit around parts of London in both a diesel Fiat Ducato and the company’s new all-electric E-Ducato with “penalties” for not completing drop-offs within a certain timeframe to add realism to the scenario.
The drivers were equipped with wearable devices measuring skin temperature, levels of sweat and heart rate. Microphones inside the cabins of both vans measured loudness and acoustic sharpness, both of which have been correlated with stress in humans. Following the run, the drivers were asked to complete a questionnaire to see how their perceived level of stress corresponded with that recorded by the wearable device.
Quieter = Less stressful
Overall, the study found that the relative quietness in the electric van’s cabin created a calmer, less stressful environment for the driver, with levels of sweat, skin temperature and heart rate lower than in the diesel Ducato.
As part of the questionnaire, drivers reported “marginally lower levels of stress” in the E-Ducato, although there was a discrepancy that showed the biometrically recorded stress indicators as being higher than the drivers’ reported levels of stress.
Noise levels in the diesel-powered Ducato were shown to be some ten decibels louder than in the E-Ducato - or around four times the electric van’s volume. Sound was also recorded as being 55 per cent sharper than in the E-Ducato.
Many of the participants reported that they preferred the quietness of the E-Ducato and that it was “more peaceful to drive”.
A number of the participants however, Fiat said, found the sound of the diesel engine to be comforting and more familiar with a perceived level of stress only a fraction higher than in the electric van.
According to psycho-acoustician Dr Duncan Williams, whose field involves measuring the effects of noise on humans and who collaborated with Fiat Professional on the survey:
“The results clearly show, especially the readings from the smart watch, a strong correlation between the quietness of the E-Ducato and lower levels of stress in comparison to an ICE van. It’s a fascinating result and, given the movement towards electric commercial vehicles, shows there are potentially more benefits to van drivers going electric beyond things like cost saving on fuel.”
A study from the World Health Organisation has shown that the health (mental and physical) of around 100 million people in Europe is negatively impacted by traffic noise pollution.
E-Ducato
The Fiat E-Ducato will shortly go on sale in Ireland and will provide a WLTP-certified electric range of 182- or 370km depending on whether buyers opt for the 47kWh or the 79kWh battery pack. A 90kW electric motor will drive the front wheels and the E-Ducato will be compatible with DC fast chargers up to 50kW and AC chargers up to 11kW.
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