4-Wheel Electric Bikes With "Car-Like Functionalities" - CityQ's CEO, Morten Rynning

CityQ makes 'car-like' electric vehicles (EVs) for urban transport of cargo and people. The Norwegian startup has the potential to electrify urban transport with net zero emission vehicles, which can help solve issues with congestion, parking and lack of car charging infrastructure.

"We started CityQ as we saw cities implementing car restriction policies but offering no real alternatives. After building a few prototypes in Norway – we established an experienced team in Nurnberg in Germany – bringing automotive quality and processes to our innovative products. The team also implemented a chainless drive train and connectivity – making CityQ a vehicle platform for the future of last mile vehicles," says CityQ's CEO, Morten Rynning.

CityQ designs and produces multiple models of light weight 4-wheel electric bikes require no license to operate. They can be used and for daily urban transportation of individuals or families, as well as for moving goods. It has two product categories - passenger vehicles and cargo vehicles.

"Our passenger vehicle comfortably fits 1-2 adults or an adult plus up to 2 children. On the cargo side, we offer three models currently with capacities from 1000 litres up to 1500 litres for transporting goods. Both our passenger and cargo e-bikes are powered by state-of-the-art electric drivetrains that can travel up to 25 km/h and can enable a range of 50-120 kilometres on a swappable single full battery charge," explains Rynning.

For consumers, the e-bikes all-weather mobility without needing a license, insurance, or vehicle registration.

"CityQ enables a new type of safety and comfort in ebikes fitting the future of transport in inner cities. With a car-like chassis the rider is much more protected towards any type of normal impact versus any 2 or 3-wheeler. The CityQ 4-wheeler is also much more stable even in curves or when carrying cargo or passenger. CityQ is also equipped with bumper, doors, turning lights and the ability to add seat belts."

The Upsides Of Battery Swapping

CityQ's e-bikes offer up to 150km range, and feature two swappable batteries positioned under the rider seat.

"With swapping, the battery can be quickly replaced with a fully charged one in just a few minutes, avoiding lengthy charging downtimes. This enables more convenience and uptime for urban mobility needs. Swapping stations also have a much smaller footprint than EV chargers, making it easier to implement swap points at dense locations," explains Rynning.

Additionally, battery swapping allows charging to occur off-site at centralised facilities. 

"Another major advantage is that many countries in Europe, still lack widespread and fit-for-purpose public charging networks for electric vehicles. Battery swapping circumvents this infrastructure gap, providing a viable solution for electrified urban transport today," he adds.

CityQ's initial launch markets for its e-bikes are Germany, Benelux, UK and Scandinavia.

"At this early stage, CityQ ebikes are offered at prices starting at above €11k. As production ramps up and our vehicle development matures, the product, the same models will come at lower costs. This will better suit private families and provide an attractive leasing offering for corporations offering incentive programs towards their employees."

"We are currently selling small batches while seeking industrial partners to help us scale this vehicle platform to more markets and more models – all built upon the same chassis and modular technology platform. We will also scale in partnerships with other OEMs and partners interested in creating an industry within super light electric vehicles (LEV)," he adds.

Phasing Out Combustion Vehicles

Norway has rightfully been praised for its swift adoption of EVs. So what can other countries learn from its success?

"As a Norwegian company at the forefront of sustainable urban mobility, we've witnessed firsthand the successes that policy incentives and infrastructure investments can have in accelerating EV adoption. Norway demonstrates valuable lessons that other countries should emulate as they work towards transitioning to electric transportation," says Rynning.

"Consistent government incentives like tax breaks, toll exemptions, and generous EV subsidies have been instrumental in making electric vehicles cost-competitive with compared to fossil fuel models in Norway. This carrot approach, combined with disincentives like heavily taxing of gas/diesel vehicles, created a market conducive for rapid EV uptake," he adds.

Finally, we asked Rynning what urban mobility in Europe will look like by 2030.

"By 2030, urban mobility in Europe will be rapidly shifting away from traditional combustion vehicles and probably even big electric vehicles. The EU's requirement that all new cars and vans registered from 2035 onward must be zero emission is a driving force behind this transformation. Lightweight electric vehicles like our ebikes will become the preferred mode of transportation for moving both people and goods over short distances as cities prepare for this mandate," he predicts.

"By 2030 cities will be more actively building out infrastructure and incentives to support sustainable urban mobility solutions during this transition period. Dedicated lane networks optimised for smaller electric vehicles will be implemented, along with proliferating battery swapping stations to enable unlimited range with quick swap times."

"As private car ownership becomes increasingly impractical and restricted in dense urban areas, mobility will evolve into a seamless service model. Apps will allow locating and reserving available ebikes to get wherever you need to go efficiently and emissions-free. The shift to solutions like CityQ's ebikes is essential for meeting climate goals and enhancing urban livability before combustion vehicles are ultimately phased out," concludes Rynning.