Piaggio To Launch An India-Only Electric Three-Wheeler

We are advancing into the era of electric vehicles and Piaggio, a world-famous automaker wants its share of the future too. For the last seven decades, one of the company’s models has been considered the revolutionary force in light commercial mobility. And now, a full electricity-powered version of that vehicle has made it to New Delhi, India. It is specially made to cater to the needs of the Indian market.

Piaggio’s tricycle is expected to meet the needs of last-mile travel in the country. The look of it is no different from the traditional, fossil fuel Piaggio’s Ape but the interior is a different story. What sets this vehicle apart is its interchangeable battery tech, which allows a quick switch of battery at a service station in just a few minutes.

To meet the power need of the Ape E-City, a station network will be set up all over India so that drivers can change to another battery anywhere.

The Indian government recently announced FAME, a policy to support two to three-wheel electrical vehicles. To encourage the application of these automobiles, their Goods and Services Tax is reduced to 5%, from 12%.

The Ape E-City electrical tricycles will be assembled locally at Piaggio’s factories in Maharashtra. As for the price, the company plans to offer the vehicles at the same price as the gas models.

So far, not much is revealed about the vehicle’s specifications but it has the potential to be the ideal solution for last-mile travel in India. All we know now is that India is the first market that sees the launch of Ape E-City. The company has said nothing about releasing it in other markets.