Though occasionally derided here in the UK, scooters retain vast appeal throughout Europe where the Piaggio Group has now introduced the MP3 Hybrid, a plug-in hybrid version of its MP3 three-wheeled scooter.

The vehicle includes a grid chargeable lithium-ion battery pack as well as a parallel hybrid drive with a 124cc combustion engine and a 2.6kW, 15Nm synchronous brushless permanent magnet traction motor which are mechanically and electronically linked, simultaneously supplying power to the wheel.

The MP3 Hybrid achieves the power delivered from the petrol and electric units through a Ride-by-Wire System and when decelerating and braking, the management system recovers energy and accumulates it in the battery.

During start-up, as well as acceleration, the electric motor is able to supplement the petrol unit and provide up to an 85 per cent boost in performance. There is also an ultra-quiet reverse mode, which can be used for parking or moving in and out of tight spaces.

Its fuel economy figures are impressive as it reduces both fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by more than 50 per cent. Compared with an average of 61mpg for petrol scooters with mid-sized engines, the Piaggio MP3 Hybrid achieves 141mpg and CO2 emissions are just 40g/km compared to 90g/km for conventional internal combustion engine scooters.

The vehicle is capable of running on electric power alone and is easily charged from the mains with a normal electric cable. A full charge takes approximately three hours.

The Piaggio MP3 Hybrid is expected to debut in Italy and Spain later this summer and should be introduced in the US during quarter one of 2010.