Automotive

This stunning concept machine combines race-inspired styling and a number of innovative ideas for maximizing performance – including the use of a sustainable, lightweight natural composite for its bodywork.

The Frikar was certainly one of the most compelling pedal-electric vehicles to come our way in the past several years. And although its maker went bankrupt last year, the bike is now set to ride again – as the TwoZero Classic.

Glass-filled polypropylene is already a very commonly used plastic for automotive parts, but could it be improved? Well, yes. A new substance, Gratek, is claimed to make the plastic 20% stronger yet 18% lighter, thanks to the addition of graphene.

So one night a tractor trailer jackknifes and flips in front of me on I-80 in a shower of sparks. I stop to help, and the guy pops out like Chatty-Cathy, still talking on the phone like nothing happened. That’s when I decided to get a dashcam.

In some ways, the humble door handles we use to open our vehicles haven’t changed much in over five decades. In others, today’s modern handles represent a leap forward in technology.

We've featured a number of cargo ebikes that are pitched as family car alternatives. We've also covered a bunch of velomobiles over the years. The ZET pedal-assist quadricycle combines the best of both for a family hauler, minivan or personal cruiser.

Credit where it's due: Tesla CEO Elon Musk promised his company would launch a robotaxi service this June, and it actually rolled out self-driving cabs in Austin over the weekend. Too bad you'll probably have a hard time hailing one at the moment.

For many delivery riders, a supersized cargo box worn like a backpack and a powerful ebike are all that's needed to keep goods moving in the city. Multiple large packages require bigger thinking, as seen in Honda's upcoming Fastport eQuad.

Back in 2014, e-mobility company AEMotion set out to "combine the agility of a motorcycle with the safety profile of a four-wheeled vehicle." After much prototyping, its two-person tilting creation is up for pre-order ahead of production next year.

Norwegian company Podbike has just stated that it is filing for bankruptcy, only a few months after announcing the availability of its Frikar pedal-electric quadcycle to buyers in Austria and Belgium. It was already being sold in Norway and Germany.

There are times when a car is more of a vehicle than you need, but even a three-wheeled velomobile is just a little too … little. That's where the pedal-electric Acticycle comes in, with its four wheels, two seats, and top speed of 45 km/h (28 mph).

Toyota's just unveiled a quadricycle concept that I really hope it gets around to building. The compact FT-Me seats two, takes up just half a parking space, and is designed to offer plenty of flexibility in a small package.