KAIROS EV AIMS TO REVOLUTIONIZE THE ELECTRIC THREE-WHEELER
The Kairos EV is a tilting electric three-wheeler that blends the agility of a motorcycle with the stability and safety of a car. Conceived by young French transport designer Mathieu L'Hopitault and developed by the SIREMS Association, this electric leaning trike leans into corners while a clever counterweight system keeps it upright, positioning it as a genuinely fresh answer to safe, sustainable urban mobility.
What makes the Kairos EV different from other electric three-wheelers?
Most three-wheeled EVs place two wheels at the front. The Kairos EV flips that logic with a delta configuration: two wheels at the rear and a single steering wheel at the front, giving it a wider, more stable base. Paired with a semi-reclined, feet-forward riding position, this layout shifts weight over the rear wheels for better traction and weight distribution, which matters most when carrying a passenger or a heavy load. The result is a vehicle that feels like a motorcycle to ride but behaves far more predictably in everyday traffic.
How does the Kairos EV stay upright in corners?
The standout feature is a pair of Mobile Lateral Elements (MLEs), wedge-shaped appendages on either side of the front wheel. As the vehicle leans into a turn, the outer MLE acts as a counterweight to resist tipping, while the inner one can contact the road to stop a full topple. According to New Atlas, both MLEs also absorb impact energy in a collision and double as cargo space, keeping the center of gravity low without sacrificing practicality.
What safety technology protects the rider?
Beyond the leaning system, the Kairos EV adds a Programmed Restraint Device (PRD), a wedge-shaped chest pad mounted in the cockpit. In a frontal impact it absorbs inertial energy and helps prevent the rider from being thrown over the handlebars, a real risk on conventional trikes and motorcycles. As Robb Report notes, founder Philippe Girardi has made safety and functionality central to the project while keeping the experience dynamic and fun to ride.
When will the Kairos EV be available and how much will it cost?
The Kairos EV remains a pre-prototype, with a rolling demonstrator targeted for testing and a market launch hoped for by 2028 at a price of no more than 30,000 euros. If it reaches production, this electric three-wheeler could carve out a distinct niche between the e-bike and the compact city car, offering bike-like fun with car-like protection.
Explore electric urban mobility at TheArsenale
If the Kairos EV speaks to your taste for forward-thinking electric vehicles, TheArsenale curates the same spirit across its lineup. Browse the full electric vehicle collection and the e-bike collection, or get straight to compact electric mobility with the Duo by TheArsenale electric microcar, the Pave 1 electric scooter, and the high-design FUELL Flluid-3 e-bike.
Photo: SIREMS Association
