Norwegian mobility 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. The vehicle was already being sold to customers in Norway and Germany.
We last heard about the Frikar back in 2017, when it was known as the Podbike.
At that time, a physical prototype of the fully-enclosed, pedal-electric four-wheeler had just been revealed to the public for the first time. It was still in the process of being commercialized by Norwegian firm Elpedal, which is now called Podbike.
Fast-forward to April 2025, and not only was the Frikar being manufactured, but its availability to buyers in Austria and Belgium was announced. And it is a pretty cool machine.
While the Frikar does have pedals, it doesn't have a chain or a belt drive. Instead, the pedals are linked directly to a generator.
As the rider pedals, the power that they generate is electrically transferred to a couple of hub motors – one in each of the rear wheels. A removable battery pack adds some additional power, making an electronically-limited top speed of 25 km/h (16 mph) possible. The setup is similar to the unrelated Free Drive system, among others.
Range still sits at the previously-estimated 60 km (37 miles) for one battery, although there is room for multiple batteries for extended range. The vehicle accommodates one adult rider, with space for 160 liters of cargo or an optional child seat behind the main seat.
The whole thing is claimed to tip the scales at 100 kg (220.5 lb), and can manage a maximum rider/child/cargo load of 230 kg (507 lb).
Some of the Frikar's other features include a full lighting system with turn indicators; a windshield wiper and interior defogger fan; dual side mirrors; a carpeted cabin; plus the ability to remove the canopy in hot weather.
Pricing started at €10,916 (about US$12,204), depending on the market. Buyers in Austria and Belgium were expected to receive their vehicles sometime before July. North American availability wasn't expected to happen anytime soon, as the Frikar's four-wheeled design keeps it from being classified as an ebike in that region. And now, the Frikar is no longer available anywhere.
On May 16th, 2025, Podbike announced that it was filing for bankruptcy. The company stated:
Despite initial success and a loyal customer base, Podbike has faced significant financial challenges over the past year. Increasing production costs, supply chain disruptions, and the global economic slowdown have contributed to sales being lower than anticipated and mounting operational expenses. Efforts to secure additional funding through investment rounds and partnerships proved insufficient to bridge the financial gap. After thorough consideration and consultation with financial advisors, Podbike's board of directors concluded that filing for bankruptcy was the most prudent course of action.
There's currently no word on what will happen to deposits that have already been placed on vehicles.
You can still check out what could have been yours, in the following video.
Source: Podbike
