Urban Transport

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.

The Utility Personal Transporter may do for EVs what smartphones did for gadgets – combining multiple types in one device. What's more, recent announcements suggest that people may soon start seeing the thing in actual use, in three countries.

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).

Some electric skateboards are nice sedate things, designed for leisurely commutes on city sidewalks. The Mach One isn't one those boards. It boasts a Formula 1 racecar-inspired design, a carbon deck, and a top speed of 45 mph (72 km/h).

We've seen some highly-portable electric vehicles before, including diminutive scooters and skateboards. Cocoa Motors' new WalkCar, however, makes those gizmos look huge. It's used more or less like a Segway, but it's not much bigger than a laptop.

Like many oddball ideas, the JackRabbit micro ebike began as a crowdfunding project in 2018. The cross between a compact bike and scooter has been growing in power and size ever since, with the new Pro models being the most beastly yet.

As is the case with ebikes, there are some electric skateboards that hide their tech in a retro design, and others that absolutely revel in it. Parsec's Aero Pro is definitely among the latter, looking a bit like an e-skateboard from the future.

It might look dumb, but this little engine catalyzed the American Air Boat industry, and its legacy might yet have several more significant chapters in general transportation. Pusher engines can create very efficient vehicles. Just not like this!

Though China's InMotion does roll out crazy powerful electric unicycles for adventure-hungry risk-takers, the company has models to suit every rider level. The V9 is pitched as the first e-uni in the world to be safety certified by TÜV Rheinland.

Dubai authorities have inked a deal with The Boring Company to create a network of tunnels likened to a "wormhole" that will allow users to move at speed under Dubai's streets and avoid traffic congestion.

A Singapore startup recently launched an e-mobility concept that looks like an unhappy marriage between an office chair and a mobility scooter. The Strutt ev1 sports a sensor array and smart algorithms that feed into a built-in drive-assist system.

The e-mobility specialists at Tomofree have launched on Kickstarter to fund production of a "sleek, dynamic marvel" called the BEE Electric Scooter. The sit/stand e-scoot can get up to 31 mph, features dual suspension and rolls for 28 miles per charge.

This is not your grandad's cable car gondola. Born of an amusement ride and opening to the public in 2026, this remarkably clever kiwi idea offers quick, cheap, on-demand urban transit – that's much more direct and private than public transport.

Around this time last year, Segway announced a pair of ebikes geared for adventure. Now the company has revealed full specs and pricing for the low-step Xafari and moto-inspired Xyber, as well as opening the pre-order books.