Affordable mobility solutions aimed at supporting last-mile delivery, reducing transport costs and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs are driving automotive manufacturer Stellantis’ micromobility strategy, says Stellantis micromobility director Kabelo Rabotho.

The strategy targets the provision of affordable and accessible transport, particularly in congested cities, supporting the movement of people and the delivery of goods.

“Last-mile delivery has become an increasingly important part of mobility solutions as e-commerce continues to grow, with more consumers choosing home deliveries,” he says.

Rabotho notes that the last mile accounts for 41% to 53% of logistics costs, making it important to adopt transport solutions that reduce these expenses.

Micromobility also offers a practical way of addressing growing transport demand while infrastructure development struggles to keep pace. Referring to recent discussions regarding the shift from road to rail transport, Rabotho notes that infrastructure expansion takes years, but micromobility allows for existing infrastructure to be used more efficiently in the interim.

“Affordable vehicles can also help entrepreneurs overcome barriers to finance by providing accessible transport options that support business activities and job creation.”

Rabotho says Stellantis plans to assemble and produce micromobility vehicles in several African markets, including South Africa. Production has started in Morocco with the Fiat Tris, while the company also produces the Fiat Topolino and Citroën Ami.

He describes the Fiat Tris as a fully electric half-ton vehicle designed for African operating conditions. The vehicle has a payload capacity of 540 kg and a driving range of 90 km.

“The vehicle is intended for ‘milk run’ operations, allowing operators to deliver multiple orders in a single trip rather than making one delivery at a time.”

Rabotho adds that the vehicle has been designed with a full chassis frame to improve durability.

The Fiat Tris can be charged from a standard 230 V household power supply, taking just over four hours to charge and about three hours to reach 80% charge. This enables operators to charge the vehicle overnight before using it during the day.

He says electric power also lowers operating and maintenance costs, improving profitability.

Meanwhile, Stellantis is developing an ecosystem that will enable operators to acquire vehicles at affordable cost through a leasing model that enables them to generate income while paying for the vehicle, instead of using conventional instalment sale or hire purchase arrangements.

Further details will be shared when the vehicles are launched in Southern, East and West Africa.

The company also plans to introduce electric two-, three- and four-wheelers under the Fiat brand for passenger and goods transport.

In terms of vehicle security, the Fiat Tris has a vehicle identification number and a motor identification number and is manufactured to the same standards as the company’s other vehicles.



Rabotho says Stellantis is engaging government on micromobility policies, noting that regulations for the sector are still being developed.