Automotive

Peugeot splits the difference between two and four wheels with tilting PHEV scooter

Peugeot splits the difference between two and four wheels with tilting PHEV scooter
Peugeot's PHEV tilting scooter is based on the architecture of a tricycle
Peugeot's PHEV tilting scooter is based on the architecture of a tricycle
View 6 Images
Peugeot's PHEV tilting scooter is based on the architecture of a tricycle
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Peugeot's PHEV tilting scooter is based on the architecture of a tricycle
Groupe PSA's Peugeot PHEV scooter (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) was developed as part of the “Efficient Urban LIght Vehicle” (EU-LIVE) European consortium
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Groupe PSA's Peugeot PHEV scooter (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) was developed as part of the “Efficient Urban LIght Vehicle” (EU-LIVE) European consortium
Electric three-wheeled scooters that tilt into turns occupy one of the more interesting spaces when it comes to futuristic vehicle design
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Electric three-wheeled scooters that tilt into turns occupy one of the more interesting spaces when it comes to futuristic vehicle design
The cabin inside Peugeot's tilting PHEV scooter is heated and features seatbelts and an airbag
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The cabin inside Peugeot's tilting PHEV scooter is heated and features seatbelts and an airbag
The cabin inside Peugeot's tilting PHEV scooter is heated and features seatbelts and an airbag
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The cabin inside Peugeot's tilting PHEV scooter is heated and features seatbelts and an airbag
Peugeot's PHEV tilting scooter is based on the architecture of a tricycle
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Peugeot's PHEV tilting scooter is based on the architecture of a tricycle
View gallery - 6 images

Electrified three-wheeled scooters that tilt into turns occupy one of the more interesting spaces when it comes to futuristic vehicle design. Sitting somewhere between a motorbike and a traditional motorcar, they could form part of a sustainable future for cities by offering a little privacy along with a relatively small footprint. Peugeot has hit on these key points with a new hybrid scooter built to weave its way through urban centers and hum along at freeway speeds when the time is right.

Groupe PSA's Peugeot PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) scooter was developed as part of the "Efficient Urban LIght Vehicle" (EU-LIVE) European consortium, an urban mobility project involving 12 partners from six countries. The consortium aims to standardize a European approach for the design, development and building of electric L-category vehicles, which consists of motorbikes, mopeds and all-terrain vehicles with three or four wheels.

The scooter is powered by two electric in-wheel motors along with an internal combustion engine, which combine with a 48 V Samsung battery to offer a total range of 300 km (186 mi). The electric motors handle city driving at speeds of up to 70 km/h (43.5 mph), but on the wide open road the 31-kW single-cylinder gasoline engine takes over to nudge the scooter up to 130 km/h (80 mph).

The cabin inside Peugeot's tilting PHEV scooter is heated and features seatbelts and an airbag
The cabin inside Peugeot's tilting PHEV scooter is heated and features seatbelts and an airbag

With a footprint of 2.4 x 0.85 m (7.8 x 2.7 ft), the scooter is based on the architecture of a tricycle and Groupe PSA says its hydraulic tilting system should make it as easy to drive as a regular ol' three-wheeler. For those looking at the images and thinking "that looks more like four wheels than three," you'd be correct, but Groupe PSA says it will still be categorized as a three-wheeler.

"The PSA Hybrid plug-in light vehicle is classified as an L5 Tricyle," explains Laure de Servigny, Groupe PSA spokesperson. "It's a question of the distance between the wheels that must measure less than 460 mm."

Since the rear wheels of the vehicle are 456 mm apart, it falls within the L5 three-wheeler category. Meanwhile, the cabin is heated inside and features seatbelts and an airbag, and the doors that rotate in line with the body should make parking in tight spaces a little more comfortable.

"Groupe PSA has committed to protecting individual freedom of movement. EU-LIVE is an illustrative example of it," says Carla Gohin, Senior Vice President, Research and Advanced Engineering. "This new electrified light vehicle allows an individual, safe and sustainable mobility thanks to its zero-emission mode."

Source: Groupe PSA

View gallery - 6 images
15 comments
15 comments
Tom Lee Mullins
I think that is really cool. I would not mind owning one of those.
Bionic88
I think it looks good. Something like it would be great for everyday local use, but that seat does looks comfy, so maybe even a road trip. Sign me up!
(Disclaimer: My Camaro's seats looked comfy, but were not good for road trips..some of this was due to the stiffer suspension though.)
Riaanh
Yeah, that is what I need!
Bob Stuart
Range, speed, weight, tilt angle and carrying capacity please. Also, every tilter's most controversial stat: How is the hydraulic tilt system controlled? Humans lack attention, and robots lack foresight. How do they tell if you are turning or doing a fast lane change?
ikarus342000
That ding looks cool. The point here again will be the costs. There is so much technic in this thing. Three engines, battery, hydraulics, electronic etc. The other drawback, only for one person.
BenH
Shut up and take my money! This is exactly what I need for getting around San Francisco. I don't even need it to go 80mph or 180+ miles. For city driving, 40mph and 30 miles would be sufficient. I've been eagerly following the Lit Motors C-1 for years, but I'm beginning to fear it's vaporware.
Douglas Bennett Rogers
It should be lighter than a non-tilting vehicle because it doesn't need to resist side loads. Won't fall down on ice or when stopped like two wheeler.
El Bonko
Too car-like for my tastes. I just want an electric Piaggio MP3.
RobertEhresman
Hard to take it seriously without a price. Arcimoto, Elio, Electra Mechanica, and Sondors all quote a price.
BartyLobethal
I'm sure this will be priced at a point where I will choose not to afford one, and probably won't be available in my country anyway. Otherwise, this is exactly the sort of thing I've been waiting for, for commuting and short-range extra-urban trips.
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