Piaggio goes green !!!

Adopting uniquely exclusive technology - this is the first vehicle in the entire automotive sector using lithium ion batteries, which can also be charged from the mains - Piaggio Mp3 Hybrid reduces both fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 50%, complementing the already enviable attributes in terms of technology, safety and rider enjoyment that make the Piaggio Mp3 - the revolutionary three-wheeled scooter - such a hit.

Piaggio MP3 Hybrid makes hybrid technology accessible to everyone. Scooters have come to symbolise urban mobility: it is the ideal tool for carving easily through the congested traffic of the big city, but also the perfect vehicle for enjoyable weekend excursions.

In recent years, however, the need to reduce harmful airborne emissions has led to the creation of ever larger restricted traffic areas. Often, even scooters are prohibited from accessing these areas. Electric vehicles were created in response to this which, thanks to their zero emissions powerplants, are allowed everywhere. Both internal and electric units have their own advantages and drawbacks. In many cases, however, the advantages of one compensates for the drawbacks of the other: on the one hand, internal combustion engines offer generous range, power and flexibility, but are penalised by their exhaust emissions (in spite of today's strict Euro 3 regulations); while on the other, the zero emissions and impressive standing start acceleration of an electric motor come at the cost of limited battery range and top speed.

With the Piaggio Mp3 Hybrid, you no longer have to choose between performance and ecology, between a vehicle for accessing the city centre and one capable of longer journeys, even beyond the city limits. Mp3 Hybrid is powered by a revolutionary hybrid drive system developed first by the Piaggio Group for a two-wheeled application and combining the advantages of a petrol engine with those of an electric motor. Piaggio MP3 Hybrid now makes hybrid technology accessible to everyone, offering the possibility of environmentally friendly mobility to an ever larger user base.

The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid incorporates a “parallel” hybrid drive in which a combustion engine and an electric motor are mechanically and electronically linked and simultaneously supply power to the wheel in perfect synergy.

But as well as giving the scooter its impressive performance, while it runs, the internal combustion engine also recharges the batteries used to power the electric heart of the vehicle. However, the symbiotic relationship between the two powerplants of the Piaggio Mp3 Hybrid does not end here: whenever the rider calls for particularly brisk acceleration, such as when setting off from a standing start, for example, the electric motor kicks in, supplementing the petrol unit to provide up to an 85% boost in performance, offering more immediate and responsive pickup during the first few metres - which is precisely where it is most needed in city use.

Through the “Ride by Wire” power control system, the on board electronics (VMS – Vehicle Management System) decides how much power to draw from the petrol engine and the electric motor in relation to the effective operating conditions to optimise both performance and consumption.This synergy between the two powerplants, achieved with integrated electronic management, does not only offer better performance but also reduces fuel consumption - the Piaggio Mp3 Hybrid can return up to 60 Km/l (141 MPG), compared with an average of 26 Km/l (61 MPG) for petrol scooters with mid sized engines (56% fuel consumption reduction!) - and CO2 emissions, at just 40 g/Km compared with 90 g/Km for a conventional internal combustion engined scooter .Hybrid is more than just another hybrid system: where other scooters have to stop, Piaggio Mp3 Hybrid keeps on going swiftly and quietly, as it can also run on electric power alone. Simply press the button on the handlebar to disengage the petrol engine and turn Mp3 Hybrid into a totally ecological scooter, a zero emissions vehicle that can circulate freely in areas restricted to internal combustion engines.

The rider can switch between the full electric and hybrid mode even while on the move, by simply selecting the desired mode by pressing and holding the “Hy Tech” button for a few seconds. Once in the garage, plug-in technology lets you recharge the batteries from the mains, using the battery charger built into the on board electronics. In addition to the normal controls, a special selector also lets the rider choose from four operating modes for the vehicle: with two hybrid and full electric modes (including reverse).MP3 Hybrid manages the power delivered from the petrol and electric units with a Ride-By-Wire system: the torque requested by the rider via the throttle and brake is processed by the integrated electronic management system which, on the basis of a number of parameters (such as battery charge, for example), splits the power delivery between the power plants.

When decelerating and braking, the management system recovers energy and accumulates it in the battery; - energy which is wasted in normal vehicles. The hybrid modes (Hybrid Charge for maximum battery charge, and Hybrid Power, for maximum performance) have been conceived to allow the user to manage and optimise performance, consumption and battery charge capacity.

In full electric mode, Hybrid fully disengages the petrol engine to turn into a silent, electric vehicle with zero exhaust emissions. The reverse mode, which uses the electric motor, is particularly useful when parking. Piaggio MP3 Hybrid is the first vehicle in the world to combine plug-in charging from the mains with lithium ion batteries which – with their superior energy density and reliability – offering higher performance, greater lightness and increased longevity than the technologies currently in use.

The battery pack, with integrated control electronics, is hidden away in the compartment under the saddle, which still has enough room to accommodate a helmet and other objects. An indicator integrated into the dashboard lets the rider keep a constant eye on the battery charge level. The vehicle is charged easily from the mains with a normal electrical cable, plugged into the relative socket with the panel switched off. The full charge cycle takes approximately three hours , although 85% charge is achieved in just two hours.

Source : AZO Cleantech, July 8th, 2009