The best looking enclosed electric bike-car yet isn’t going to make it
In a surprising and disappointing turn for fans of innovative micromobility, Podbike, the Norwegian maker of the sleek, fully enclosed Frikar electric pedal-car, has filed for bankruptcy. Despite gaining significant attention and accolades for its standout design and functionality, the company ultimately couldn’t overcome the financial hurdles that have cut down so many ambitious mobility startups lately.
Podbike’s flagship product, the Frikar, spent years making waves in the micromobility space due to its combination of car-like comfort with the practical, pedal-assisted features of an electric bicycle. Despite spending a considerable amount of time as a prototype, the innovative design immediately attracted broad appeal.
Its striking aerodynamic design, spacious enclosed cabin, and efficient electric assistance positioned it as an attractive urban commuting option for riders seeking shelter from harsh weather, safety from urban traffic, and an eco-friendly alternative to traditional cars.
Earlier this year, Podbike successfully began deliveries of the Frikar quadcycle to customers in Norway and subsequently expanded availability to several other European countries, including Austria and Belgium. The Frikar was gaining real traction, supported by positive feedback for its innovative design, ease of use, and the comfort provided by its weatherproof enclosure. It looked like the Frikar was finally set to do what so few others had – overcome industry hurdles to become an actual mass production fully-enclosed electric bike car.
However, despite the positive news and widespread enthusiasm around the Frikar, Podbike faced substantial financial challenges. The price of the Frikar ballooned from an initial target of around €5,000 in 2021 to as high as €13,000 recently for more premium trims. And with expensive production combined with reduced demand at such high price tags, the financial equitation was always going to be a battle.
Most recently, Podbike has cited those soaring production costs, ongoing global supply chain disruptions, and a slower-than-anticipated ramp-up in sales volume as major contributing factors to its financial distress. Ultimately, these economic pressures proved insurmountable, forcing Podbike to declare bankruptcy.
As the company explained to its followers last week, “After years of dreaming big, building bold, and pushing boundaries, we’re heartbroken to share that Podbike is probably at the end of the road. The Board has made the incredibly difficult decision to file for bankruptcy and cease operations.”
The fall of Podbike highlights the harsh reality that innovative hardware startups in the micromobility industry face every day. Even with an exceptional product, navigating the path from initial design to mass production and profitable scale-up can be fraught with obstacles. And with the amount of innovation in the Frikar, the company was pedaling uphill from the get-go.
We’ve seen the same happen in several other micromobility companies, from similar bike-cars like the ELF and PEBL to more conventional electric bicycle companies like Juiced Bikes and E-Cells.
Electrek’s Take
I think that while Podbike’s journey has come to a tragic end, the legacy of the Frikar will likely live on as inspiration and a blueprint for future electric micro-vehicles. The vehicle’s popularity demonstrated a clear demand for comfortable, efficient alternatives to conventional transportation methods, especially in dense urban settings. Its higher price and steep ramp-up to production were two significant nails in its coffin though that will need to be addressed in order for future electric bike-cars to succeed.
The bankruptcy filing has surely saddened many in the micromobility community who saw Podbike as a potential frontrunner in shaping the future of enclosed pedal car-type vehicles in urban transportation. Nevertheless, the concept behind the Frikar and its execution will undoubtedly serve as valuable lessons, and perhaps even a launching point, for future sustainable transportation innovations. Or at least we can hope!
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Elon Musk has finally confirmed that Tesla’s new ‘affordable’ electric car is just going to be the Model Y in a cheaper format.
Musk has ended months of speculations and misinformation, which he partly created, about Tesla’s upcoming cheaper electric vehicle model.
Since last year, Tesla has guided “launching new affordable models” in the first half of 2025.
We are past the first half of 2025, but Tesla confirmed yesterday that the “first build” of the new model was produced in June, and it will launch later this year.
During the shareholders’ call following the earnings results yesterday, Tesla was asked about what the new affordable model would look like. Tesla’s CFO, Vaibhav Taneja, initially stated that they wouldn’t disclose details about the design, but then Musk interrupted him and said, “It’s a Model Y.”
It’s hard to hear exactly on the call because he talked over Taneja, but he said, “the cat is out of the bag” and confirmed that the new vehicle is simply a Model Y.
Electrek has been reporting on this fact all year. We have known for months that Tesla’s upcoming “new affordable models” are Model 3 and Model Y with a stripped-down interior with fewer features, like no rear screen, and cheaper materials:
However, this fact was not accepted in the Tesla community because CEO Elon Musk falsely denied a report last year about Tesla’s “$25,000” EV model being canceled.
The facts are that Musk canceled two cheaper vehicles that Tesla was working on, commonly referred as “the $25,000 Tesla” in early 2024. Those vehicles were codenamed NV91 and NV92, and they were based on the new vehicle platform that Tesla is now reserving for the Cybercab.
Instead, Musk noticed that Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y production lines were starting to be underutilized as the Company faced demand issues. Therefore, Tesla canceled the vehicle programs based on the new platform and decided to build new vehicles on Model 3/Y platform using the same production lines.
Now, only the new Cybercab is going to be based on the new unboxed platform.
During the conference call last night, Musk stated that the primary goal of the more affordable Model Y is to expand the market by making the vehicle more accessible to a broader audience. He suggested that it will go on sale in Q4.
Electrek’s Take
Finally, we can put this to rest. I think we can expect something similar to what Tesla did with the Model 3 in Mexico.
I think we can expect changes, such as using cloth materials instead of vegan leather, no rear display, no ambient lighting, and a lesser audio system.
In the case of the Model Y, Tesla may consider dropping some exterior lighting features, such as the light bars.
I wouldn’t be surprised also to see some powertrain changes. Maybe a less powerful RWD motor.
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MIT spinout Electrified Thermal Solutions has inked a deal with HWI, a member of Calderys and one of the biggest refractory suppliers in the US, to make electrically conductive firebricks – electric bricks, or E-bricks – that store and deliver extreme heat using renewable electricity.
The innovative partnership is all about scaling up Electrified Thermal’s Joule Hive Thermal Battery, which conducts clean power and stores it as heat up to a scorching 1,800C (3,275F). That’s hot enough to drive even the most energy-hungry industrial processes like steelmaking, glass, or cement production.
The E-bricks enable factories to ditch fossil fuels and run on renewables without sacrificing performance or reliability, and at a lower cost.
The MIT-developed tech is getting paired with HWI’s 160-year track record in high-heat materials. The E-bricks will be built in HWI’s existing US plants, which means the system can scale fast using current supply chains instead of building new factories from scratch.
Electrified Thermal expects its first commercial-scale Joule Hive system to come online this year. By 2030, the Boston-based startup wants to deploy 2 gigawatts’ worth of thermal power across industry.
“Industrial heat represents one of the most challenging frontiers in the world’s effort to address climate change,” said Daniel Stack, Electrified Thermal’s CEO and co-founder. “The majority of energy used for it worldwide still comes from burning fossil fuels. Our partnership with HWI transforms what could have been a manufacturing bottleneck into a powerful scaling advantage.”
HWI says Electrified Thermal’s E-brick is a breakthrough. “It maintains the high-temperature durability required by customers, while also generating the heat to run their processes,” said Ben Stanton, director of applications technology at HWI.
Calderys’ global VP of innovation, Bruno Touzo, added that the company is ready to help expand E-brick production across its global network. “It enables us to respond effectively to the growing demand from industries transitioning to cleaner energy solutions,” he said.
Read more: 91% of renewables are cheaper than fossil fuels, but Trump just defunded a vital US grid upgrade
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The Chinese EV maker calls it a “high-energy super SUV.” BYD launched the Sealion 06 EV on Wednesday, a new entry-level electric SUV. It starts at just over $20,000, but BYD promises that the new Sealion 06 EV won’t feel like a base model, with advanced tech and safety features, fast charging, and a driving range of over 375 miles.
BYD launches the new Sealion 06 EV
The new midsize SUV was launched at a conference in China on Thursday in fully electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain options.
BYD stopped making gas-powered vehicles in 2022 and now offers EV or PHEV options across most of its lineup.
The all-electric BYD Sealion 06 EV is available in three trims, with prices ranging from 139,800 yuan ($21,000) to 163,800 yuan ($23,000). It comes in single and dual-motor variants with two BYD Blade battery pack options: 65.28 kWh and 78.72 kWh.
The single-motor features either a 227 hp (170 kW) or 241 hp (180 kW) at the rear. With the standard (65.28 kWh) battery, the RWD variant offers a CLTC driving range of 520 km (323 miles). Upgrading to the long-range (78.72 kWh) battery provides a CLTC range of 605 km (376 miles).
The AWD variant utilizes a 241 hp (180 kW) rear motor, paired with an additional 147 hp (110 kW) motor on the front, for a combined 388 hp (290 kW). It’s also available with a range of up to 520 km (323 miles).
BYD’s new electric SUV measures 4,810 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,675 mm in height, which is slightly larger than the Tesla Model Y.
The interior is based on an advanced version of BYD’s DiLink 100 smart cockpit, which includes a 15.6″ floating infotainment screen and a 26″ Head-up (HUD) display.
It also comes with features you won’t typically find on entry-level models, like a built-in refrigerator that can cool and heat.
Like most new BYD vehicles, it’s equipped with its God’s Eye C Intelligent Assisted Driving. The system utilizes five radars, 12 high-definition cameras, and 12 ultrasonic radars to offer over 30 safety features, including assisted driving on highways and remote parking.
Source: CarNewsChina, BYD
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