Frikar Pedal-Electric Quadcycle Expands Across Europe

If you spot a sleek, futuristic-looking vehicle gliding silently through the streets of Oslo, Berlin, Vienna, or Brussels, take a closer look — someone might be pedaling it. If that’s the case, there’s a strong chance you’ve found the Frikar, a pedal-electric quadcycle that Podbike now sells in four European countries.

From Podbike to Frikar: A Brief History

The Frikar was first introduced back in 2017, when it debuted under the name Podbike.

Back then, the company publicly unveiled a prototype of the enclosed, pedal-assisted four-wheeled vehicle for the first time.It was still under development by the Norwegian company Elpedal, which has since rebranded as Podbike.

Fast forward to 2025, and the Frikar is now in production — with Austria and Belgium recently added to its list of active markets. These join Norway and Germany, where the vehicle has already been available for some time.

Although the manufacturers equipped the Frikar with pedals, they didn’t include a traditional chain or belt drive.Instead, the rider powers a generator through pedaling.

Electric Power and Performance

The system then delivers this electricity to two hub motors located in the rear wheels.A detachable battery supplements the pedaling power, helping the Frikar reach a top speed of 25 km/h (16 mph), electronically limited for regulatory compliance. The design is somewhat similar to other chainless systems, like Free Drive.

The estimated range remains at around 60 km (37 miles) per battery, and there’s capacity to add more batteries for greater distance.The designers built the vehicle to seat one adult and to include space for either 160 liters of cargo or an optional child seat behind the driver.

Weighing in at 100 kg (220.5 lb), the Frikar can support a combined weight of up to 230 kg (507 lb) — including the rider, any child passenger, and luggage.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Additional features include a full lighting system with blinkers, windshield wiper, interior fan to prevent fogging, side mirrors, a carpeted cabin, and a removable canopy for warmer days.

Prices begin at €10,916 (approximately US$12,204), though this can vary by region. The company expects to deliver vehicles to buyers in Austria and Belgium before July. Unfortunately, North American customers will have to wait — the Frikar’s four-wheeled design prevents it from being legally classified as an ebike in those markets.

Check out the video below for a look at the production-ready model.

Read the original article on: New Atlas

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