Piaggio to launch MP3 Hybrid in Europe

The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid, the world's first production-ready hybrid scooter, is ready to go on sale now!

The Piaggio MP3 three-wheeler is already one of the most intriguing, technologically sophisticated scooters in the world. And soon, it will be the world’s first scooter with dual powerplants – a conventional 125cc petrol engine, and a lithium-ion battery-powered electric motor.

The MP3 Hybrid, which is slated to go on sale in Europe very soon, is fitted with Piaggio’s hybrid drive system which was developed specifically for two-wheelers (or, well, three wheels in the MP3’s case!) and combines the advantages of a petrol engine with those of an electric motor. This is a ‘parallel hybrid’ system where the combustion engine and electric motor are mechanically and electronically linked, and simultaneously supply power to the rear wheel in perfect synergy.

The internal combustion engine, in addition to powering the MP3, also recharges its batteries on the run. And whenever the rider calls for hard acceleration, the electric motor kicks in, supplementing the petrol unit to provide a significant boost in performance. Plus, the scooter’s automatic transmission, electric starter and ride-by-wire throttle control ensure sparkling performance that’s ideal for the cut-and-thrust of city traffic.

New-age hybrid trikes/scooters like the MP3 may well be the future of urban commuting

The MP3 Hybrid’s ride-by-wire control system and its Vehicle Management System (VMS) decides how much power to draw from the petrol engine and the electric motor in relation to the effective operating conditions, in order to optimise both performance and consumption. This synergy between the two powerplants not only offers better performance but also reduces fuel consumption – the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid can return up to 60km/l of fuel efficiency. For shorter journeys, the rider can also choose to ride in electric-only mode, cutting out on fuel costs completely.

The best part is, the MP3 might actually come to India in the next 2-3 years. Piaggio, which currently only has commercial vehicle operations in India, is committed to ramping up its operations in this country in a much bigger way. The Italian company has plans to start manufacturing its scooters (and perhaps motorcycles as well, from the half-dozen brands it owns!) in India, which is likely to happen by 2011-12. We’ll keep you posted on Piaggio’s India plans, so watch this space...