Piaggio NT3 concept

At Eicma 2010 Piaggio Group of Italy introduces the NT3 Concept. An extraordinarily innovative vehicle, designed to meet mobility needs in areas with the highest development rates, specifically in India, Vietnam and South East Asia. Can we see competitor for Tata Nano here, if the concept converts to reality soon?

NT3 is a compact, safe, flexible, manoeuvrable and attractive vehicle as well as being highly competitive thanks to its contained costs.

The Piaggio NT3 Concept can have three different engines.

The 200cc engine is characterised by significantly reduced costs of operation, consumption and polluting emissions.

The 300cc engine, based on the consolidated technology of the Piaggio Mp3 three-wheeled scooter, provides brilliant performance in the internal combustion 300cc version.

The 300 hybrid engine version integrates – as with the new Piaggio Mp3 300 Hybrid – the traditional low environmental impact internal-combustion powertrain with the zero emissions electric powertrain with performance equal to the 300cc internal combustion (80 km/hour max speed) and a speed of 30 km/hour in the ZEV "electric only" mode.

Concept NT3: key characteristics

- Compact size: thanks to a length of only 2.4 metres, NT3 moves about easily in traffic and is easy to park.

- Load capacity: In the people carrier version, optimisation of the spaces guarantees full accommodations for three people thanks to the innovative three seat configuration with centre driving position.

- Safety: NT3 is conceived around a space frame structure with crash box in order to guarantee maximum protection of the occupants.

- Economy: more than 30 km with one litre of fuel.

- Respect for the environment: the reduced weight allows consumption and emissions to be contained. NT3 can be available with high efficiency and low emissions power drives, including hybrid Piaggio HyS technology.

- Modular: NT3 is a vehicle conceived to allow various transport solutions, such to configure a complete and diversified range of products.

Incentive for electric vehicles

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Govt. Of India has announced a great incentive program to promote the development and sales of Electric Vehicles In India. As per the incentive scheme declared, Govt. has decided to provide a 20% rebate on the ex-factory price of the electric vehicles. This will mean that there will be a drop of Rs. 4000 in the price of low-speed electric two-wheelers. This rebate will be about Rs. 5000 for high speed two-wheelers. For a seven seater three wheeler passenger vehicle, it will be Rs. 60,000 of rebate and about Rs. 1 Lakh for an electric car. In total, Govt. will provide financial incentives of about Rs. 95 Crores. Owing this these rebates, the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) expects a growth of about 100% in electric-vehicle sales in the near future.

Happy with this decision, SMEV director Sohinder Gill quotes

“This could have an immediate impact on sales of electric two-wheelers. In terms of monthly sales, we expect an immediate doubling of sales. We have convened a meeting of our members this week to see how quickly we can pass on the benefits to consumers. Although these incentives are for manufacturers to carry out R&D activities and to increase capacities, we will surely pass on partial benefits to the buyers.”

Hyundai Nano competitor - Green Baby (GB)

According to Mr. Kil Chun, Hyundai Motors Senior VP for its Asia and Pacific Division, Hyundai already has a similar micro car as Tata Nano under development and that is destined to hit the Asian markets in 2011.

The new Hyundai GB micro car will likely be powered by a 0.8 or 1.0L gasoline engine, but there will also be a small diesel engine developed specially for the European market. Unlike Tata Nano, the all-new new Hyundai GB will feature all of the up-to-date safety equippment and will also satisfy latest European emission standards!