Hyundai’s New Workhorse is This Futuristic-Looking Three-Wheeled Electric Cutie
While it was only briefly mentioned in Hyundai’s CEO Investor Day presentation today in Seoul, the pint-sized E3W electric three-wheeler caught our eye. This joint venture with TVS Motor Company, an Indian moto...
While it was only briefly mentioned in Hyundai’s CEO Investor Day presentation today in Seoul, the pint-sized E3W electric three-wheeler caught our eye. This joint venture with TVS Motor Company, an Indian motorcycle manufacturer, is a “mobility solution” we can get behind.
The three-wheeled E3W is in development now for Asian and African markets where small vehicles are used by couriers and rickshaw drivers. A height-adjustable body provides for some adaptability for regions that deal with flooding on roads.
The interior is an exercise in modern ergonomics, with a focus on driver comfort and convenience. There’s a built-in phone holder and peg-board inspired panels inside that allow users to create their own storage solutions.
Hyundai imagines several uses for the E3W, including last-mile delivery, ride-share duty, and even as a rapid-response emergency vehicle. In a group shot of all of the different concepts, we even spied one that looks like a mini race car painted in Hyundai Performance Blue and sporting a sizable rear wing—E3W N-Line anyone?
The E3W was shown for the first time back in January 2025, but given the fact that it isn’t likely to make it to the U.S., it didn’t land on our radar until now. A four-wheeled E4W was also part of that announcement, but today Hyundai only referenced the three-wheeled one. Either way, these cute little workhorses are said to be coming soon and will be built in India and distributed throughout the Asian and African markets. The E3W will battle the likes of the Fiat Tris, an electric tuk-tuk revealed in 2025.
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Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.