While most electric utility vehicles are growing in size, weight, and price, Fiat has opted to try something different and channel its inner Piaggio. Welcome the TRIS, a new three-wheeled, fully electric commercial vehicle aimed squarely at last-mile delivery work in busy urban environments.
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Developed by Stellantis and designed at Fiat’s Centro Stile in Turin, the TRIS has been developed as a cheap-to-run commercial vehicle aimed specifically designed for cities where tight spaces and quick stops are the norm, like Italy. At just 3.17 metres long, it slots into the ultra-light category and will first launch in the Middle East and Africa, with a potential expansion into Europe on the table. Built on a modular chassis, the TRIS comes in three body styles: chassis-cab, flatbed, and pickup. All versions share the same snub-nosed front end with angular LED headlights and a distinctive two-tone paint job. There are no doors—deliberately—making it easier for drivers to hop in and out during frequent stops.
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Inside, the layout is no-frills but functional. It features a 5.7-inch digital instrument cluster, a USB-C port, storage compartments, and a single seat built for comfort. Safety features include a three-point seatbelt, reverse buzzer, front LEDs, and a washer tank—enough to meet European homologation rules even though initial markets are outside the EU.
The numbers are surprisingly respectable for such a small vehicle. It can carry a payload of up to 540 kg and has a cargo area of 2.25 square metres. All this while keeping the total weight to just 1 025 kg. Power comes from a 9 kW electric motor producing 45 N.m of torque, fed by a 6.9 kWh battery taken from the Fiat Topolino. That gives the TRIS a range of 90 km and a full recharge time of 4 hours and 40 minutes from a standard household socket.
Three-wheelers often raise stability concerns, but Fiat has tried to address that with 12-inch wheels, a wide rear track, and a stretched wheelbase. The chassis is said to offer car-like rigidity and is treated with an automotive-grade zinc coating for corrosion resistance. Fiat CEO Olivier Francois believes the TRIS can be a tool for economic empowerment and improved mobility in underserved areas. Built in Morocco alongside other Stellantis microcars, it’s a reminder that sometimes less really is more, especially when it comes to navigating city streets.
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