Piaggio Group has launched two new Piaggio Ape Electric three-wheelers in India. One is a replacement for the Piaggio Ape E-City called Piaggio Ape E-City FX, and the other is a cargo version of the new model, called Piaggio Ape E-Xtra FX. The Piaggio Ape E-City FX costs INR 3.12 lakh (ex-showroom, incl. FAME-II subsidy), while the Piaggio Ape E-Xtra FX retails at INR 2.83 lakh (ex-showroom, incl. FAME-II subsidy).
The Piaggio Ape E-City FX replaces the Piaggio Ape E-City that was introduced in December 2019. While the old Piaggio electric auto rickshaw had a swappable battery pack, the new electric auto rickshaw features a fixed battery pack. The swappable battery pack came with a capacity of 4.5 kWh, good enough to cover a distance of 68 km on a full charge. The fixed battery pack’s rated capacity is 7.5 kWh, and it allows a range of 110 ± 5 km. There are some differences with respect to the suspension, ground clearance, and weights, too. The motor is the same unit, which generates 5.44 kW and 29 Nm.
| Aspect\Specifications | Piaggio Ape E-City Specifications | Piaggio Ape E-City FX Specifications |
| Battery Pack Capacity | 4.5 kWh (rated) | 7.5 kWh |
| Transmission Type | Constant mesh two stage reduction with integrated differential constant | PT gear with differential (Integral) |
| Range | 68 km | 110 ± 5 km |
| Home Charger Type | – | 48-volt/3,000-watt off-board charger |
| Charging Time (Home Charger) | – | 3 hours, 45 minutes |
| Front Suspension | Hydraulic telescopic shock absorber with helical compression spring with damper | Leading arm, constant rate coil spring with hydraulic dampener |
| Rear Suspension | Hydraulic telescopic shock absorber with rubber compression spring with damper | Semi trailing arm, rubber spring with hydraulic dampener |
| Minimum Ground Clearance | 200 mm | 163 mm |
| Kerb Weight | 389 kg | 413 kg |
| Gross Weight | 689 kg | 713 kg |
The Piaggio Ape E-Xtra FX is a single-seat cargo version with a 6-feet deck. It has an even bigger fixed battery pack with a capacity of 8 kWh. Moreover, the motor generates higher outputs demanded by the heavier load: 9.55 kW and 45 Nm. Customised delivery van options are available. The range of the Piaggio Ape E-Xtra is 90 km, but it can vary by 5 km. The payload capacity of the electric cargo three-wheeler is 506 kg.
| Aspect\Specifications | Piaggio Ape E-Xtra FX Specifications |
| Battery Pack Capacity | 8 kWh |
| Motor Power | 9.55 kW |
| Motor Torque | 45 Nm |
| Transmission Type | PT gear with differential (Integral) |
| Range | 90 ± 5 km |
| Home Charger Type | 48-volt/3,000-watt off-board charger |
| Charging Time (Home Charger) | 3 hours, 45 minutes |
| Gradeability | 17% |
| Front Suspension | Helical spring with dampener |
| Rear Suspension | Rubber spring with dampener |
| Vehicle Length/Width/Height | 3,315 mm/1,490 mm/1,770 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,100 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 220 mm |
| Cargo Box Length/Width/Height | 1,830 mm/1,400 mm/285 mm |
| Payload Capacity | 506 kg |
| Gross Weight | 975 kg |
Featured Image Source: Piaggio
