Urban Transport

Poland's EV4 rides out a semi-recumbent electric-assist trike

Poland's EV4 rides out a semi-recumbent electric-assist trike
The EV4 semi-recumbent is currently up for pre-order
The EV4 semi-recumbent is currently up for pre-order
View 16 Images
The EV4 semi-recumbent features Jack Skopinski's signature tilting mechanism
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The EV4 semi-recumbent features Jack Skopinski's  signature tilting mechanism
The EV4 semi-recumbent's bucket seat can be adjusted for different riders
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The EV4 semi-recumbent's bucket seat can be adjusted for different riders
The EV4 semi-recumbent's handlebars are home to a trip computer, gear selector and brake lever
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The EV4 semi-recumbent's handlebars are home to a trip computer, gear selector and brake lever
The EV4 semi-recumbent's 250 W brushless motor can provide pedal assist up to 25 km/h
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The EV4 semi-recumbent's 250 W brushless motor can provide pedal assist up to 25 km/h
The pedals on the EV4 semi-recumbent have been moved forward to cater for the laid back riding position
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The pedals on the EV4 semi-recumbent have been moved forward to cater for the laid back riding position
The EV4 semi-recumbent doesn't sport quite as many rivets as previous models, but the result is no less striking
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The EV4 semi-recumbent doesn't sport quite as many rivets as previous models, but the result is no less striking
The EV4 semi-recumbent's Li-ion battery pack can be removed for storage and charging
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The EV4 semi-recumbent's Li-ion battery pack can be removed for storage and charging
There are cargo racks front and rear on the EV4 semi-recumbent
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There are cargo racks front and rear on the EV4 semi-recumbent
Close-up of the EV4 semi-recumbent's tilting mechanism
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Close-up of the EV4 semi-recumbent's tilting mechanism
The bucket seat of the EV4 semi-recumbent can be adjusted without needing tools
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The bucket seat of the EV4 semi-recumbent can be adjusted without needing tools
The EV4 semi-recumbent's battery pack has a range of up to 80 km between charges, depending on riding style
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The EV4 semi-recumbent's battery pack has a range of up to 80 km between charges, depending on riding style
Though it leans slightly, the EV4 semi-recumbent doesn't need a kickstand when parked
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Though it leans slightly, the EV4 semi-recumbent doesn't need a kickstand when parked
The EV4 semi-recumbent is reported to weigh 47 kg (including the battery)
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The EV4 semi-recumbent is reported to weigh 47 kg (including the battery)
The EV4 semi-recumbent features Jack Skopinski's signature tilting mechanism
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The EV4 semi-recumbent features Jack Skopinski's  signature tilting mechanism
Though it leans slightly, the EV4 semi-recumbent doesn't need a kickstand when parked
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Though it leans slightly, the EV4 semi-recumbent doesn't need a kickstand when parked
The EV4 semi-recumbent is currently up for pre-order
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The EV4 semi-recumbent is currently up for pre-order
View gallery - 16 images

We've been quite taken by Jack Skopinski's industrial-looking electric mobility solutions for a few years now, and his latest build brings a semi-recumbent riding position to his expanding catalog. The new design riffs off of 2016's EV4 trike, with that signature tilting mechanism, but moves the pedals to the front of the frame and replaces the upright bike seat with a laid-back bucket.

Unlike his earlier designs, Skopinski hasn't gone all out with the aircraft-inspired rivets for the EV4 semi-recumbent's all aluminum frame, but the result is no less striking. The pedals are now near the front wheels to cater for a more laid-back riding position and the steering column tilts towards the rider. A comfy-looking bucket seat can be adjusted without tools to fit riders of different sizes.

The new EV4 trike features a 250 W brushless rear hub motor for up to 25 km/h (16 mph) of electric assist, and a removable 36 V/10 Ah Li-ion battery pack that's reported good for up to 80 km (50 miles) per charge, depending on riding style. Stopping power is provided by hydraulic disc brakes on all three wheels.

There are cargo racks front and rear on the EV4 semi-recumbent
There are cargo racks front and rear on the EV4 semi-recumbent

As you might expect, the semi-recumbent is longer than the original trike at 190 cm (75 in), and wider (at 90 cm) and heavier (47 kg/103 lb with battery) too. There are racks at the front and rear for stowing travel essentials, or just somewhere to put the shopping. Skopinski says that the front rack is capable of carrying a 20 kg (44 lb) load with ease, though it does tilt quite a bit in the corners so riders will have to ensure cargo is securely attached.

Elsewhere, the trike has 16-inch wheels to the front and a 20-inch rear wheel, seven-speed Shimano gears and two pneumatic bike shocks to help smooth out rough terrain. And of course, being a three-wheeler means that a kickstand is not needed when parked up.

The EV4 semi-recumbent is said to be the most comfortable ride in the EV4 family, and the company is currently taking pre-orders for a ticket price of US$3,976. Buyers can expect a two month build time. You can see the new model twisting and turning in the video below.

Source: Aero Service

EV4 Semi-Recumbent

View gallery - 16 images
10 comments
10 comments
Douglas Bennett Rogers
Uphill stops will be much easier than with a bicycle.
Mzungu_Mkubwa
Love this design! Some thots, tho: for the US market, ramp it up to full road capable power & speed (lose the pedals.) Would like to see the rider's position lowered just a little bit. Also appears ready to fit a tall windscreen or even a lightweight canopy for all-weather riding! How about tying that front rack into the tilting mechanism so that it stays level despite the tilt. (Challenge: I bet they could figure out how to do that!)
Jonathan Colvin
At 100 lb going uphill you will need the motor
Paul Anthony
With that weight I'm surprised there is not at least a 500 watt motor
Tom Lee Mullins
I like how it tilts. I am glad it has electric assist. That seats looks more comfortable than a regular bike seat.
highlandboy
Riding position still too upright to get the most Cd benefit from the recumbent position. Like on any push bike, the load needs to lean with the rider or you would highside (tip over to the outside of the corner) when cornering quickly. This has long been a problem with motorised trikes, or motorbikes with sidecars.
ljaques
Let's see: figure $500 for the frame+wheels+seat ($300 retail for brand new trike @W), $125 for the tiny motor+ display+controller, $500 for the battery, plus $800 profit (71%), then tack on a wee $2k for the name EV4. Yeah, that's fair, right? :-/ Articulation is unnecessary and makes me wonder how any cargo (and the rider) would fare at low speeds. With the small front wheels, that bike could not run up onto a standard curb to get out of the street if it had to.
Lee Bell
$4000? That's about $3000 overpriced. I can buy a nice motorcycle for that much that comes with many more parts that had to be made. What the heck is going on in these company's minds? A 250w motor is a total joke but that's required in Europe so.... That will barely make up for the extra weight of the bike and a 36v 10 amp battery pack will give you about 10-15 miles max and that's if you are pedaling the whole time when using the assist motor. Good luck on finding 16" tubes and tires when new ones are needed too. Those things are about as rare as hens teeth these days. It is a nice looking trike and is probably fun to ride but that price is going to have to come down a lot if they REALLY plan to actually sell these things.
johnk
I'm in the U.S. and early in 2018 I ordered a bike from Jacek Skopinski and Aero-Servuces in Poland, The bike stopped working after 3 hours of use and he gives no support, no parts list, no wiring diagram or anything else that would help me fix it. As for the bike, it is harder to steer than a regular bike and feels top heavy when it leans over. I'm going to manufacture a fix for this and will update this in the future.
nehopsa
Too bad. Looks nice but overpriced and cheaply made - or not checked properly/unproven design...and even at that price no support whatsoever. Sorry to hear that.