Quadvelo Aims to Bridge the Gap Between e-Bikes and Cars, Even Lets You Take a Passenger

This is no joke, either. Aside from the diehard cyclist who does it for pleasure and not necessarily because they need to get to work in a more timely, less stressful manner, no one willingly goes out riding in the pouring rain – let alone in the cold winds of winter, sleet, or snow. For most people, cycling is exclusively a summer or at least weather-dependent activity.

You can see where this is going. As much as e-bike manufacturers will strive to convince people to ditch the personal car in favor of a bicycle to save the planet, save money, save time, and get in better shape or get to work with minimal effort thanks to motor assistance, the question pops up again. What if it rains?

That's not a problem if you live in a temperate area with minimal temperature fluctuations and little rain. But most cyclists will hang up or put the bike in storage for the colder season, and they're back to using public transport or their personal car for the daily commute.

An electric vehicle that could bridge the gap between a bicycle and a car would come in handy because it would offer the much-needed protection against the elements, additional cargo space, and more stability and safety. Enclosed electric quad-cycles do exists, but they're still a novelty on the market. Quadvelo hopes to make a difference and bring them to the forefront as a fixture.

Quadvelo is an electric quad-cycle that's been in development since 2017 as a collaboration between teams from Belgium, Hungary, Germany, and Slovakia. The chassis wasn't designed until 2019, with the first prototype completed the following year. In April this year, the 2023 limited-series model was on display at the SPEZI in Lauchringen, Germany.

Quadvelo (the company) is hoping to sell a couple more limited series of 10 units before taking the quad-cycle into full production, New Atlas reports. They were taking pre-orders at the event and gauging interest in such a vehicle by means of test drives. They're convinced that there's a market for such an EV.

The Quadvelo looks like the lovechild of a bicycle with a car, so it's as aesthetically appealing as one. It's an electric bike riding on four wheels, with a fully enclosed cabin (the doors are optional) and some cargo space behind the driver's seat. Conversely, this area can be used to add a child's seat, so you could actually take a passenger with you inside.

The EV is 250 cm long, 84 cm wide, and 133 cm high (98.4 x 33 x 52.3 inches), which means it's still small enough to be allowed on cycle paths yet visible in traffic on the road. Quadvelo points out that it's as high as a Porsche 911, which is definitely the only comparison possible between the two.

The frame is aluminum, with a body of fiberglass epoxy and scratch-resistant polycarbonate windows. You get mirrors on both sides, lights front and rear, and indicators because the EV is road-legal. You also get a 250W Sachs RS 925 motor in the front, offering 112 Nm (83 lb-ft) of torque and a top speed of 25 kph (15.5 mph) with assistance. That said, there's nothing stopping you from going faster if your legs can carry you. To that end, Quadvelo has a 9-speed gearshift.

Battery is good for 75 km (47 miles) on a single charge, but you can increase estimated range by adding a second battery and optional solar charging with roof-mounted panels. The Quadvelo weighs 85 kg (187 lbs) without the doors and comes with a maximum payload of 200 kg (441 lbs), which includes the driver and whatever cargo inside.

Aside from weather protection and more stability on the road than with a regular bicycle, Quadvelo promises enhanced comfort by means of four-wheel suspension and the cushioned seat. It also promises clear advantages over a passenger car because it doesn't require insurance, fuel, or vehicle taxes, but has access to car-free areas of the city, can beat traffic by using cycle paths, and is easier to park because of its reduced dimensions.

Features include front air inlet, windshield-defogging fan, manual wiper, interior lights, a touchscreen display, and remote Bluetooth control for the battery and motor. Five color options are available as of right now, but the plan is to add more as the EV goes into series production.

For the series production model, Quadvelo plans to offer optional Samagaga hydraulic brakes (as an upgrade over the Sturmey Archer 90 mm drumbreaks on the current model) and solar panels.

Having gotten this far, you must be wondering why we haven't seen more of these EVs on city streets, seeing how they seem perfect for city traffic. The answer lies partly in pricing: like other electric quad-cycles to have made headlines these past few years, the Quadvelo is priced in the "real" car range. It starts at €9,900 ($10,900 at the current exchange rate), not including shipping, and we have a feeling that, for this kind of money, most cyclists would rather they got wet. Or, better yet, drive a car.