Electrically assisted bicycles (VAE) and cargo bikes are now common in urban areas, but other intermediate vehicles, between the car and the electric bicycle, could join them. They remain confidential for the time being, but, with the increase in fuels and the scarcity of resources, perhaps not for long…
The market for intermediate vehicles remains confidential, but motorized quadricycles, carts, velomobiles, velocars and microcars could represent the future of urban mobility Daily. So, do they fit favorably within the framework of the energetic transition ?
Intermediate vehicles conquering cities
As resources run out and fuel prices are rising, these intermediate vehicles, both sober and light, offer credible alternatives to thermal and electric cars for daily journeys. The only downside is their price!
The carts appeared one morning in front of prestigious high schools, and are now a hit with wealthy teenagers. These cars without a license are limited to 425 kg, drive up to 45 km / h and tend to become electric. Their market is booming : 16,000 models were sold in 2021, in particular the Citroen AMI at the competitive price of 7,000 euros against 11 to 15,000 euros for its competitors.
Velocars and velomobiles
Legally bicycles, closer to the car, the velomobiles are recumbent and faired vehicles. The cyclist, protected from the weather, pedals in a lying position with strength and comfort. For the same energy expended as on a conventional bicycle, these velomobiles go twice as fast.
Small downside: these velomobiles are low on the road and impractical for ordinary users. They cost between 2,500 and 10,000 euros and are rather made for speed or leisure than travel in urban areas.
Three or four wheels, a generally closed cabin, one to three seats and pedals. the bicyclecar has electric pedaling assistance which can go from 25 to 45 km/h depending on the model. These intermediate vehicles could eventually replace a car for home-to-work journeys of 20 to 30 kilometres. They cost between 6,000 and 9,000 euros.
Motorized quadricycle or microcar?
Similar to motorcycles, these motorized quadricycles can benefit from a roof or a protected cockpit. The pioneer of this species is the famous Renault Twizy, a quadricycle 2.3 meters long and 1.25 meters wide, quite unique in its kind. Easy to recharge and with a range of 100 kilometres, it is accessible with or without a licence, depending on the power of the engine.
The motorized quadricycles can travel up to 90 or even 130 km/h, and some of them are electric. But their speed and weak protection leave some doubtful experts about their commercial potential. It takes between 6,000 to 15,000 euros for models with a passenger compartment.
As light as they are confidential, the microcars look like electric urban quads. Without pedals, they have one or two seats and a roof. They are limited to a power of 4 kilowatts, and generally weigh less than 100 kg. They still cost between 9,000 and 13,000 euros.
