Slovakia-based startup Sven has begun taking pre-orders for a very unusual vehicle allegedly worth only €3,000. The Smart Pedal Car has 60 km (37 miles) of electric range, but also acts as a four-wheel bicycle.
The company emphasizes that it only provides the main drivetrain and components; customers are expected to be able to produce the bodywork and everything else necessary themselves. This can be done using a 3D printer, but will probably cost quite a bit, since up to 70% of the car parts need printing.
The flexible design of the EV lets customers choose its parameters, such as cabin height and suspension weight capacity, to suit their individual needs. Blueprints are available for drivers weighing up to 110 kilograms (243 pounds) and between 135 and 198 cm tall (4’3” – 6’6”).
You can fold down the Smart Pedal Car to get a package 700x900x1200 millimeters (27.4x35.2x46.9 inches) large, which fits many car trunks.
For safety reasons, the EV comes equipped with rotor brakes and parking sensors at both ends. If a child is behind the steering wheel, the parents can control and override all main functions remotely. The company provides a set of headlights and taillights, as well as a steering wheel with an in-built touchscreen display serving as a dashboard.
Power comes from a 2.2-kW (3-hp) electric motor that maxes out at 25 km/h (15.5 miles per hour). There are two battery sets to choose from: the regular one takes eight hours to charge, while the rapid-charging one can be replenished within two hours.
Sven still needs €200,000 to begin road-testing its EV, and hopes to get enough funding from backers to launch mass production in late 2023.