And now, the bicycle car
AT first glance, you would be forgiven for mistaking this tiny car for a child’s toy.
But the four-wheeled vehicle is, in fact, the world’s first all-weather e-bike, designed to make eco-friendly journeys.
While the PodRide vehicle is currently only a concept, its designer says that he is planning on selling the first batch of models later this year.
Design engineer Mikael Kjellman produced the bizarre PodRide vehicle in Ostersund, Sweden, with the basic idea of creating a weather-protected and more comfortable bicycle.
Making use of an electric motor, this road-legal e-bicycle car can travel long distances both easier and cheaper while maintaining an eco-friendly journey.
“A lot of effort has been put into making the PodRide more comfortable and practical but it has also proven to be real fun to drive,” said Kjellman.
“So my solution has been this fourwheeled, fully-covered bicycle car.”
PodRide allows drivers to sit at the same height as those in normal cars and with extra room in the back for luggage and shopping bags.
“In the front, I have installed an extra air vent, headlights and indicators. It has a 250w crankshaft engine, with rear suspension and a comfortable, padded seat. You steer with sticks on the side of the vehicle and apply brake using handles.
“We drive on both rear wheels and with many gears. It can even take on steep hills and rough terrain.
“To get better ventilation in the summer, you can open up the lower part of the front window and both the side windows.
“There is also a small electric heater to defrost the windows when parked outside in the winter.”
With a range of 60km and a top engine speed of around 25km/h, PodRide is roadlegal in Sweden and a few other countries.
The team is planning on selling the first batch of models later this year, with the price as yet unconfirmed.
“It’s still just a prototype. But I’ve been driving it to work for more than a year now and it has proven to work very well,” said Kjellman. PodRide allows drivers to sit at the same height as those in normal cars and with extra room in the back for luggage and shopping bags.