Is it a bicycle or an electric car? It’s a little bit of both

If you’re looking for a more environmentally-friendly mode of transportation, velomobiles are an option. A velomobile is a human-powered vehicle that comes in an aerodynamic shell.

A Sweden-based company called JMK Innovation has developed a new velomobile called PodRide, which looks a lot like a tiny car. 

With the PodRide, drivers can either run the electric motor to cruise around or turn it off and get some exercise in and pedal manually. The vehicle can be operated on both roads and bike paths due to its versatile size.

The tiny car has about the same sitting position and seat height as a small car, with  four wheels and a waterproof body to keep drivers warm and dry in various weather conditions. It even has a heated windshield with wipers, air suspension and studded tires for winter conditions.

Its  250-W electric motor and the battery are the same you’d find on an electric bike. The PodRide can reach speeds up to 15 mph when the motor is in use.

According to the company, the vehicle only emits 7g/km of CO2, as compared to a standard car with about 140g/km CO2 emissions or an electric vehicle at 70g/km.

Creator Mikael Kjellman has launched an Indiegogo campaign to raise production funds for the PodRide. It is offering a range of purchasing options from $300 for the building instructions to create your own or $1000 and 20% a fully developed ride.