PodRide is a small, very energy efficient commuter vehicle that can run on both roads and bike paths. It offers a comfortable, weatherproof and practical means of transport that unlike electric cars really can reduce emissions in the world.
Presentation
PodRide is a velomobile that is meant to be a practical every day vehicle.
It has approximately the same sitting position and seat height as a small car, allowing easy access and good visibility in traffic.
It has four wheels to be narrow enough for bicycle paths but still be stable in the curves.
It has a full body made of fabric, front and rear suspension, 14 gears, 250w electric motor and batteries from an electric bicycle.
It is design to be used for commuting and other shorter trips in urban environments up to 20km one way.
Eco
A normal electric car is unfortunately only marginally better for the environment than a modern petrol car, and in some countries with much electricity from coal and oil it is actually much worse then driving a petrol car.
But with a small energy efficient vehicle as Podride you really lowers the emissions and the environmental impact.
Co2 emissions lifecycle calculation:
Good diesel car 150g / km, good petrol 208g / km
Electric car on EU electricity 162g / km, totally clean electricity 75g / km
PodRide on EU electricity 17g / km, totally clean electricity 10g / km
Market
My assessment is that with large-scale production the price would be 2-3000€.
And then I think many people would be interested.
Today they sell 60 million cars and 130 million bicycles per year in the World
There are over 1 billion cars in the world now.
If one percent of that market could be made to choose a vehicle that is a cross between a car and a bicycle, it will be 1.9 million units.
1.9 million units with a sales price of € 2,500 resulting in revenues of € 4,7 billions.
