Three-Wheeled EV With a Radical Layout Is Nearing Its Debut — an Electric Rickshaw?

Electric three-wheelers are steadily rising in popularity worldwide. Not long ago, Taiwan–Japan firm Lean Mobility unveiled one of the latest entries in this category.

Their model, the Lean3, uses a traditional setup: two wheels up front and one in the back. Now a new competitor is on the way from the international startup Helix Motors, which plans to flip that layout entirely — opting for a single front wheel and two in the rear.

Early images suggest a sleek, aerodynamic design. Steering will be handled with handlebars, and the vehicle will lean into turns much like a motorcycle.

The wide dual rear wheels should give the trike the kind of stability you’d expect from a small car, while its compact footprint will make it easy to maneuver and park in tight urban spaces.

Inside the yet-unnamed Helix Motors trike, there will be seating for two — a driver up front and a passenger behind. The vehicle will be enclosed in a protective shell to shield occupants from wind and rain, and a small cargo compartment is planned in the rear.

The battery pack appears to be integrated into the chassis, though its specifications haven’t been disclosed.

Helix Motors hasn’t announced a launch date, but the new trike will likely arrive within the next couple of years.