Tiny Three-Wheeled Electric Box Might Just Be the Future. Very, Very Italian Future
Image Credit: Stellantis.
For decades, I've had my hands on throttles, sticks, and steering wheels of just about anything that moves. When it comes to things powered by electricity, I've seen electric trucks that could tow a small moon, sedans that accelerate faster than gossip, and price tags that make even seasoned oligarchs wince. But just when I thought the script was written – bigger, faster, pricier – along comes Stellantis, specifically their Fiat Professional arm, with something that made me tilt my head like a confused Labrador.
It's called the TRIS, and it's a three-wheeled electric… something. Let's call it a "commercial solution" for now. And it's trying to make those big-budget electric trucks look utterly, hilariously absurd for certain jobs.
Image Credit: Stellantis.
Fiat. When I say the name, all I see are images of cheeky little 500s nipping through Roman alleyways or the ever-practical Panda. The masters of the small. But a three-wheeler? The fully electric TRIS was designed in Turin and is apparently Stellantis's first-ever entry into the thrilling world of tricycles built for work. It's an "ultra-light commercial vehicle" specifically for what the industry boffins call "last-mile delivery." That means more buzzing around city centers dropping off packages than hauling lumber up a mountain.
Initially, this little rascal is destined for the bustling streets of Africa and the Middle East. Fiat, however, in a fit of optimism that I can only describe as "peak Italian," is already eyeing up Europe. Maybe they know something we don't. Or maybe they've just had a bit too much espresso.
Image Credit: Stellantis.
Let's talk size, or rather the charming lack of it. The TRIS measures exactly 124.8 inches in length. That's just over ten feet. My garden shed is longer. You could probably park it inside some of the American pickups and still have room for a picnic. It comes in a few flavors: a chassis-cab (build your own adventure!), a flatbed (for, you know, flat things), and a pickup. All share the same front end, which, with its arrow-shaped LEDs and jaunty two-tone paint, looks surprisingly chipper, like a delivery robot that's genuinely happy to see you.
Step "inside" – and I use that term loosely as some versions appear to have an "open-door" policy, literally – and you're greeted by an interior that's an essence of utility, but with a thick Italian accent. A 5.7-inch digital instrument cluster, a USB-C port, a glove box, some storage nets, and a seat designed for "comfort during those long working hours." I'll reserve judgment on that last claim until my own posterior has made its acquaintance with said seat after eight hours of navigating cobblestones. The lack of doors, they say, makes it easier to hop in and out. Can't argue with that logic, though I do wonder about rainy days or some inquisitive pigeons.
Image Credit: Stellantis.
Powering this metropolitan marvel is a 48-Volt electric motor that churns out a colossal 12 horsepower. Right, twelve. My lawnmower might be staging a protest as we speak. It develops a total of 33 lb-ft of torque, which is… present. This "electrifying" powertrain is fed by a 6.9 kWh battery, the same unit found in the Fiat Topolino microcar. This setup promises a range of up to 56 miles on the WMTC cycle, which, for city deliveries, might just be enough. Top speed? 28 mph… Try not to get a speeding ticket. The good news is a full charge from a standard 220V household plug takes a leisurely 4 hours and 40 minutes. So, no complex charging infrastructure needed, just an outlet and some patience.
But three wheels? Isn't that a recipe for a rather undignified tumble when confronted with a corner taken with some Italian enthusiasm? Fiat insists that the TRIS, with its 12-inch wheels, a wide rear track, and an "extended wheelbase," is as stable as a very stable three-wheeled thing. They even claim its chassis and tubular structure match the "structural sturdiness found in passenger cars," all coated in automotive-grade zinc to fend off the dreaded tin worm. I remain skeptical due to my own experience in navigating corners in three-wheeled contraptions. It never went well.
Image Credit: Stellantis.
Despite its diminutive stature and modest muscle, the TRIS can actually haul a fair bit. The cargo area is a useful 24.2 square feet, and it has a payload capacity of 1,191 pounds. That's surprisingly not bad at all! The Gross Vehicle Weight is kept down to a trim 2,260 pounds. Clearly, this tiny trike isn't made for shifting grand pianos, but for a load of parcels or a small business's daily wares, it could be just the ticket.
Fiat's CEO, Olivier Francois, is naturally rather bullish. "With its debut in the Middle East and Africa, TRIS is set to transform last-mile mobility and open new doors to economic empowerment and social inclusion." Big words for a little three-wheeler! He also added, "And we believe its potential goes far beyond – Europe may be next, because this kind of smart, sustainable solution speaks a universal language." Universal language or not, I do admire the ambition.
Image Credit: Stellantis.
The TRIS is being assembled in Morocco, sharing factory space with other Stellantis micro-creations like the Citroen Ami and its Fiat Topolino cousin. As for the price? Well, that's still under wraps, shrouded in a cloak of "to be announced." However, knowing Fiat and its penchant for "affordability," we can expect it to be "competitive." One source dared to whisper a figure of around £10,000 if it ever graced British shores, which is roughly $12,700 of Uncle Sam's dollars. For a brand-new, albeit tiny, electric commercial vehicle, that's interesting. Affordable? That's debatable.
Is Fiat TRIS the answer to urban congestion and last-mile logistics? Or is it just an adorable, slightly bonkers Italian experiment that'll become a cult classic for entirely different reasons? Honestly, I'm leaning towards a bit of both. It's certainly not going to set any Nürburgring records, unless there's a new category for "Most Economical Lap by a Three-Wheeled Electric Pickup Carrying a Euro Pallet." But for a certain niche, for businesses that need something small, cheap to run, and emission-free for zipping about town, it might be a stroke of genius that we all have been waiting for. It's quirky, it's electric, and it's undeniably Fiat. A bit of genuine character, even on three wheels, is never a bad thing. I might be slightly baffled, but at least I'm smiling. Well, mostly smiling.
