Here is a familiar three-wheeled light commercial vehicle for travelers who visit Italy: Piaggio’s Ape Calessino. This one however has a silent ride and produces no emission because it is electric!

The Ape Calessino Electric Lithium is a limited production zero-emission version of Piaggio’s three-wheeled neoclassic.

Here is a familiar three-wheeled light commercial vehicle for travelers who visit Italy: Piaggio’s Ape Calessino. This one however has a silent ride and produces no emission because it is electric!

With the refreshed 2009 Ape range (new trim levels and new style), Piaggio has introduced this zero-emission version of the Ape Calessino. Electric drives and lithium batteries replace the usual 422 cc direct injection Diesel engine.

An icon of Italian roads
The Ape (pronounced "ah-peh"; Italian for bee) was first introduced in 1948 by Piaggio. In that post-war reconstruction period, aimed at small businesses it turned out to be perfect for transporting goods even in the narrowest city streets. Quickly however the Ape became an alternative choice for personal mobility as well.

In 2007, Piaggio launched – or rather re-launched -- the Ape Calessino, a model inspired by its namesake of the 50s: a small rickshaw-like passenger vehicle designed to ferry around Hollywood stars visiting Italy's islands and some of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean.

Initially conceived as a limited edition of just 999 units, the Ape Calessino turned into an astonishing success, not only because of its cheeky character, but also because of its versatility.

Electrifying neoclassic
Now, there’s the Ape Calessino Electric Lithium, a three-wheeled neoclassic that offers the same features and elegance as the diesel-engined version. The electric version boasts a unique livery, with an elegant blue and white two-tone color scheme for the bodywork and canvas elements.

The same two-tone scheme is echoed in the interior, with cream colored upholstery trimmed with blue piping. The cheeky vintage look is emphasized by whitewall tires mounted on chromed wheels; inserts in tropical wood and elegant yachting style trim details.

This vehicle is driven using a handlebar.

Ideal as a shuttle for resorts, hotels and tourism operators, the electric Calessino has a range of 75 km. And it is completely silent, something rather unusual one might say, for a vehicle people have become accustomed to associate to “wizzers”!

Piaggio’s green revolution
At the heart of what Piaggio calls a “green revolution” is an electric motor powered by the innovative Aenerbox system with latest generation Lithium ion batteries. This new technology overcomes the range, weight, dimensions and charge times limitations of previous solutions using lead-gel or sodium-nickel batteries. The Aenerbox accumulator system offers substantially more performance, with a better power to battery weight ratio. Charging times have also been cut by more than half.

With the top down, the Ape turns into a pleasant touring vehicle.

The Aenerbox system also offers another advantage: the battery does not discharge while the vehicle is not in use, even if left for prolonged periods. Moreover, the life cycle of these batteries is estimated to 15 years, or more than 800 recharge cycles. This equates to an approximate total of 60,000 km.

Only 100 units of the Ape Calessino Electric Lithium will be built. Selling price on the Italian market will be over 30 000 $ (€ 19,900 VAT not included).