Cambridge Electric Transport (CET) is raising £900,000 to launch the CitiPod four-wheeler e-bike, which was inspired by the Morris Minor economy car.
The CitiPod is less than 1 metre wide and 1.4m in height, features a low centre of gravity and is designed to fit through a single door frame. Its long-range batteries are suitable for all weather conditions and it has a 100kg payload, said CEO Sean Moroney.
It has no requirement for insurance, tax or a driving licence, and could be on roads and cycleways in the UK by mid-2025. Production will start next year, with operations scaled to new markets across the UK and Europe, Zag Daily reports.
Moroney told ebiketips: “CitiPod is raising £900,000 to launch CitiPod to the UK and European micromobiliy markets - our vision is to replace cars and vans across towns and cities, drastically reducing carbon emissions which align with government targets worldwide.
“Originally inspired by the Morris Minor economy car, the CitiPod puts a green spin on the British staple with a solar panel and pedalling power to reduce grid dependency.”
CitiPod says the cargo version will be aimed at last-mile delivery companies, while the passenger version will aim to replace cars on school runs and shopping trips.
Moroney added: “The difference between CitiPod and our competitors is the covered exterior which caters for the eight months of rain in the UK, and the unique ‘sit-down’ driving position rather than having to climb onto a saddle. This makes it far more accessible and quicker to get in and out.”
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Anthony Browne, MP for South Cambridgeshire and Minister for Decarbonisation, visited the Bradfield Centre, Cambridge Science Park back in February to test ride the CitiPod, and said he was “delighted” to see innovations like this being developed by a local start-up.
