Contrary to initial reports when it first announced, the hybrid petrol-electric version of the Piaggio MP3 three-wheeler will not be coming to Australia -- at least in the short term.
As it prepares to go on sale in Europe, a Piaggio Australia spokesman has confirmed the model will not make it Down Under, with price believed to be the main sticking point.
The hybrid was due to go on sale around September.
Technically speaking, the Piaggio MP3 hybrid uses a parallel hybrid system, where both the petrol and electric systems can work in tandem to produce explosive acceleration (for a scooter).
However the vehicle can also run on pure electricity during light throttle inputs, and Piaggio claims the hybrid can travel 60km on just one litre of petrol, compared to the average of 26km per litre on 'normal' 250cc scoots.