Karbike Is an Innovative Hybrid Vehicle That Stands at the Intersection of Car and Bicycle

The innovative new vehicle features four wheels, two seats, designer headlights, a windshield, and complete bodywork, which makes it look just like a miniature car. However, it is an electrically assisted cargo bike whose 250W electric motor is only triggered through pedaling.

As such, with an ingenious blend of practicality and eco-friendliness, the Karbike promises to offer both the benefits of an electric bike and the enhanced stability and comfort of a compact car, which means it could turn out to be a perfect companion for urban commuters.

Karbikes is a new player on the mobility scene, having been founded in April 2022 by Gaelle Richard and Lucas Vançon, two eco-driven engineers who have left their previous jobs to embark on this bicycle-car project. As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, and this unconventional design is also the result of a need. “Cycling when it's raining and cold doesn't always make you want to cycle, so I said to myself why not put a roof on the bike and, as we thought about it, we arrived at this concept,” Lucas Vançon explained.

Built with a steel frame, an aluminum roof, a windshield made of unbreakable polycarbonate, and rigid lockable doors (yet to be installed), this novel e-bike is designed to protect the rider from wind and rain while also providing enhanced stability and security.

According to statistics, 75% of cycling accidents happen due to a loss of balance on the part of the rider. Karbikes promises that its vehicle’s robust chassis and four-wheeled design will contribute to a lower risk of accidents. Moreover, riders will have better visibility, similar to that of a city car, while additional features like lockable doors, an alarm system, a horn, a stop lamp, and flashers will enhance safety.

Designed with weather protection in mind, the car-bike is equipped with a partially convertible bodywork. What this means is that you get complete protection in rainy or windy conditions, but the roof, windows, and trunk door are retractable if you want to enjoy the open air, feel the breeze in your hair, and be closer to nature on sunny days, especially if you’re riding down a scenic road.

In terms of dimensions, the Karbike is three times more compact than a standard car. It measures just 80 cm (31.5 inches) in width, which makes it thinner than even a three-wheeled cargo bike. This ensures easy maneuverability and makes it perfectly suited for the urban environment, both on cycle paths and roads.

The rider propels the hybrid vehicle using both pedals and a 250-watt mid-mounted Valeo motor. The electric motor is assisted by a 750Wh battery that promises an initial range of 75 km (46.6 miles). However, the inventors say riders can get more than that thanks to the aerodynamic bodywork, an optional solar panel, and the energy recovery system utilized during braking.

In terms of performance, the karbike is limited to 25 kph (15.5 mph), and its torquey engine will deliver around 130 Nm, meaning it can climb hills even while transporting heavy loads.

The vehicle starts with a password that you enter on a screen or using a connected phone. “Unlike the classic electric bike, there is no derailleur, but an automatic gearbox, manufactured by Valéo in the Lyon region. The gears shift by themselves, and there is reverse,” its creators explain.

The startup plans on offering two versions of the hybrid vehicle - a single-seater model focused on utility with a configuration that accommodates the rider in front and cargo space in the back and a family-oriented model that can transport an adult and two children along with groceries or other goods. The variant aimed at professionals offers one cubic meter of storage capacity and 200-kg (440-lb) load capability.

Showcasing the creators’ commitment to creating a sustainable product and contributing to a low-carbon world, this vehicle’s components are sourced from local manufacturers. As such, the chassis is made in Hochfelden, the windshields in Mulhouse, and the Valeo engines in the Lyon region, with everything being assembled in the company’s workshop in Strasbourg.

For now, the product is in the prototype stage, but its two Alsatian inventors plan to develop it in series and are currently looking for financing to launch production. If everything goes to plan, they say the first Karbike units will be delivered to their owners during the summer of 2024. With its convenient mix of practicality, safety, and functionality, this hybrid vehicle is certainly an interesting way of getting around town without getting soaked by rain.