Sales of electric three-wheelers (e-3W) in India surpassed 580,000 units in 2023, compared to 320,000 vehicles sold in China, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Often the form factor is like a tiny pickup truck, so they are very versatile in terms of hauling stuff. The small size makes them very easy to park and maneuver through dense chaotic traffic. So from cost to functionality, they are in a pretty sweet spot. They aren’t super safe in high speed traffic accidents, but in crowded cities, vehicles are not going super fast anyway, so the drawbacks are less important than their positive attributes.
Is it just cost and turning radius, or is there some other reason to make these things?
Often the form factor is like a tiny pickup truck, so they are very versatile in terms of hauling stuff. The small size makes them very easy to park and maneuver through dense chaotic traffic. So from cost to functionality, they are in a pretty sweet spot. They aren’t super safe in high speed traffic accidents, but in crowded cities, vehicles are not going super fast anyway, so the drawbacks are less important than their positive attributes.