Piaggio Hybrid Scooter - When will it hit the market?

The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid has four operational modes, one of them all-electric and three others that are designed either to increase performance, decrease fuel consumption or quickly charge up the batteries.

by Ross Bonander

Specs:

Type: Plug-in hybrid
Class: Three-wheel scooter
Manufacturer: Piaggio
Propulsion system: 125cc four stroke gas engine plus electric motor
Top Speed: NA
Zero-to-60: About 5 seconds
Fuel efficiency: 141 mph
Vehicle range: On full electric power only, 12.5 miles
Fuel(s): Electricity, conventional gasoline
Battery system: NA, but whatever they are, Piaggio claims they can be recharged in three hours from a standard socket.
Tailpipe emissions: Yes, in some operational modes

The manufacturer says...

So far Piaggio hasn’t said much, which should be cause for some concern.

The critics say...

“Other than achieving stupendously impressive fuel economy, the MP3 Hybrid looks and works just like the non-hybrid version.” Hellforleathermagazine.com

Overview

Take a good look at the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid, as it may be the first true mass-produced plug-in to land on the roads in history and surely the most fuel-efficient for a long, long while. If all goes according to plan, Piaggio thinks the MP3 Hybrid will be on those roads in early 2009.

What we like...

The two front wheels. Although it might look shaky, the MP3 Hybrid’s front wheels allow the scooter to lean to the side as much as 40 degrees, according to HellforLeathermagazine.com.

The parallel hybrid system. The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid has four operational modes, one of them all-electric and three others that are designed either to increase performance, decrease fuel consumption or quickly charge up the batteries.

The emissions. According to Wired, Piaggio claims the MP3 Hybrid’s CO2 emissions are 40g/km.

What we don’t...

The fact that it’s a scooter, but maybe we should lighten up. This is definitely not your grandad's scooter.

Conclusions

So long as Piaggio stays mum on some of the specs—and what their asking price will be—it’s hard to pass too much judgment on the MP3 Hybrid. We’ll wait and see, and report back to you when we learn more.