The Podbike Frikar isn’t your typical e-bike. Imagine a recumbent bicycle, add four wheels, wrap it in a weatherproof shell, and power it with a pedal-driven generator hooked to dual hub motors. That’s the Frikar in a nutshell. It’s classified as an e-bike across Europe, meaning no driver’s license or registration is needed, and you can cruise on bike lanes at speeds up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) with electric assist. Pedal harder, and you can hit 60 km/h (37 mph) downhill, though you’ll be doing most of the work at that point.
Measuring 2.3 meters long, 0.8 meters wide, and 1.5 meters high, the Frikar is about the size of a bike trailer but feels more like a microcar. Its enclosed cabin, complete with a windshield wiper, defogger fan, and carpeting, shields you from rain, snow, or that biting Oslo wind. The canopy pops off for sunny days, letting you soak in the breeze. Inside, there’s room for one adult, 160 liters of cargo (think groceries or a gym bag), or an optional child seat for a kid up to 6 years old or 22 kg. A trailer hitch is available for extra hauling.
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The Frikar’s propulsion is where things get clever. Instead of a chain, your pedaling powers a generator that feeds two rear-wheel hub motors via an electronic transmission. A 250W assist motor kicks in for hills or lazy days, while a custom battery pack delivers 30–60 km (18–37 miles) of range, depending on weather, terrain, and how much you’re pedaling. You can swap in extra batteries for longer trips, and winter tires keep it grippy on icy paths.
The cabin’s creature comforts are a nod to practicality: dual side mirrors, turn indicators, and a full lighting system keep you visible, while optional extras like a high-visibility flag add peace of mind. It’s not perfect—taller riders (over 1.95 meters) might feel cramped, and the belt-driven system, while low-maintenance, lacks the simplicity of a traditional chain. Still, the Frikar arrives nearly fully assembled, sparing you a weekend of wrenching.
Frikar’s journey to the market has been a slow burn. First unveiled as a prototype in 2018, it faced production delays, with initial plans for a 2020 Europe-wide launch pushed back. Podbike pivoted to small-series production in 2023, starting deliveries in Norway and Germany. As of May 2025, the company is expanding to Austria and Belgium, with deliveries expected before July. Cities like Vienna, Brussels, and Berlin are next on the list, and Podbike is eyeing other European markets based on demand.
Pre-orders are open for €300, with over 4,600 eager buyers already signed up. Pricing starts at €10,916 (about $12,245), though VAT, shipping, and extras like a child seat or winter tires can push it closer to €12,990 in some regions. Deliveries prioritize early pre-orderers based on location and payment date, so new buyers might not see their Frikar until late 2025. Outside Europe, you’re out of luck—regulations in places like the US limit e-bikes to three wheels, and Podbike has no immediate plans for a North American debut.
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