velomobile
Podbike Frikar: Four-wheeled e-bike with various extras goes into production
The Podbike Frikar is launched as a four-wheel e-bike
© Podbike
The “Podbike Frikar” e-bike is almost reminiscent of an electric car: Not only does it have four wheels and an electric drive, it is also equipped with lights, indicators and heating. The four-wheeler will be rolling to customers this year.
With the Podbike Frikar, the Norwegian developer Podbike wants to set an example on the e-bike market. Because the four-wheeler appears with various functions and extras and is said to be safer than other velomobiles.
The four wheels ensure stability around corners, for example, and there is also a roll bar and optional seat belts. A front and rear suspension is noticeable when driving over cobblestones.
To get in, the glass hood swings open, which closes the Podbike Frikar and is intended to protect the occupants in bad weather. The hood can also be completely removed on hot days. The e-bike offers space for an adult and a child – adjustable for people with a height of 1.5 to a maximum of 2 meters. There is also storage space behind the seat with a capacity of 160 litres.
You pedal forward and steer the four-wheeler with levers to the left and right of the seat. The brake levers are also attached here. The driver receives the usual support from the electric motor when pedaling up to a speed of 25 km/h. The developers specify an electric range of 50 to 80 kilometers.
E-bike Podbike Frikar: Two equipment variants available
With a length of 2.30 meters and a width of 84 centimetres, the Podbike Frikar is about as wide as a normal bicycle trailer. It is considered a bicycle within Europe, which is why no driver’s license or insurance number plate is required.
The purchase price starts at a good 7400 euros. The equipment includes an exterior mirror, two headlights and two rear lights, turn signals, a mobile phone holder and a USB port. In addition, the Frikar Plus variant has a second exterior mirror, an interior light, a fan, side pockets and an alarm system at a price of around 8200 euros. Optionally, the four-wheel e-bike is also available with a windscreen wiper, child seat, trailer hitch for a bicycle trailer and winter tires.
Production of the four-wheeler will start in Germany in spring 2022 and can now be pre-ordered for a deposit price of 300 euros. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2022, with new orders expected to be delivered from 2023 onwards.
Development of further velomobiles with electric motors
However, the idea of a velomobile with an electric auxiliary motor is not new. The Canadian company Veemo, for example, has developed a three-wheeled e-bike that also has pedals and an electric motor. The tricycle has a roof, but is open on the sides. It was initially offered for 4999 US dollars, but due to the worldwide supply bottlenecks that have arisen and the price increases, the tricycle now costs 9999 US dollars. Veemo expects production to start in June.
Another tricycle was unsuccessful: the Spanish company Evovelo stopped developing the Mö, a vehicle with an auxiliary electric motor, pedals and a solar roof, after almost eight years. The reason for this is “enormous difficulties in raising funds” and an uncertain situation. The project is for sale.
The German bicycle manufacturer Canyon Bicycles is developing a “car and e-bike in one”. The Future Mobility Concept is very similar to a micro car, but is also powered by pedals. In addition, the steering is next to the driver’s seat – so there is no classic steering wheel. According to the manufacturer, with around 2000 watt hours, a range of 150 kilometers is possible according to the WLTP test cycle.
Sources: pod bike, Insideevs, Veemo, Evovelo, Canyon