Toyota shows off electric three-wheel mobility concept

Toyota has teased an electric three-wheel foldable mobility concept designed for short-distance urban commuting ahead of the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo this week.

Dubbed the Land Hopper, the compact machine appears to sit in the same space as electric scooters and small electric bicycles.

Toyota says the Land Hopper can be ridden without a licence, which means it will likely be low powered enough to be classified as a bicycle and won’t require road registration.

Automotive media around the globe initially assumed that "Land Hopper" was the name for a rumoured "mini" Land Cruiser, but it is now clear that it refers to the quirky personal mobility concept.

While details are scarce, it appears that the Land Hopper is driven by a small electric hub motor. The gizmo also has a low seat height and rear suspension, while the mechanically linked front wheels benefit from a lean mechanism which enhances manoeuvrability.

Photos also show a small TFT-like screen with speed and battery level readouts, though it is possible it is just a smartphone linked to a special Toyota app.

The Land Hopper can be folded up to be even more compact so that it can be easily placed in the back of a car or a ute (presumably a Toyota is the preference).

It is unclear whether this little gadget will make its way to Australian shores or what the price point will be, but it’s safe to say that Toyota won’t be busting open the motorcycle market any time soon.