The four-wheeled Intelectra cargo bike can carry nearly 1,000 pounds on its pickup-like bed
Photo: Dynamic Drives Giessen GmbH
With the advent of electric vehicles, a new era has dawned in the urban transportation sector, that much is certain. People in today’s hectic modern cities are looking for more efficient and environmentally friendly transportation solutions, and new and fascinating designs are emerging every day.
In the rapidly changing urban landscape, Germany-based mobility startup DYNAMIC DRIVES Giessen GmbH has developed a four-wheeled cargo e-bike that looks like nothing you’ve ever seen before. The Intelectra Cargo Bike, as the unusual vehicle is called, looks like a cross between a heavy go-kart and a pickup truck.
There are several different types of cargo bikes available on the market today, but most of them are clearly inspired by traditional bicycles. However, this German startup seems to have designed this cargo e-bike from scratch, proving that designers can still push boundaries to create innovative personal mobility solutions.
The Intelectra Cargo Bike features a four-wheel configuration and has the driver’s seat and intuitive control unit at the front and a slightly forward-leaning cargo area behind the driver, enclosed in a robust aluminum frame. The forward positioning of the ergonomic seat allows for “quicker entry and exit,” according to the company, and the driver sits in an upright position instead of the usual forward-leaning boke driving position. The seat can be adjusted according to the driver’s leg length and the handlebars are mounted on the sides.
Photo: Dynamic Drives Giessen GmbH
The rear cargo bed is actually a sort of pickup truck bed that can be used to transport various loads, from goods to passengers. It is four feet (1.21 meters) long and can accommodate up to half a dozen Euro boxes. In terms of cargo capacity, it exceeds expectations of what an e-bike can do, with a total weight capacity of 450 kg (992 pounds), including the rider.
That’s a lot of luggage for a bike, you might think, but cycling with such a heavy load has never been easier, thanks to a powerful 1,500W motor with a peak torque of 190Nm that makes even uphill rides a pleasant experience. The four-wheeler can reach a top speed of 25 kilometers per hour, which is fast enough for city riding.
With a 1,400 Wh battery pack, the Intelectra offers a range of up to 93 km (58 miles) per charge, depending on drive configuration and load. The battery takes about an hour and a half to charge, minimizing downtime while driving. Regenerative braking increases range while driving.
Photo: Dynamic Drives Giessen GmbH
Dynamic Drives uses the Intelectra Cargo Bike to showcase its innovative Intelectric Series Hybrid System, a chainless drive technology that relies on wheel-integrated motors, a generator in the pedal pinions, a hand steering and braking system, and a battery pack to control and operate the vehicle. The 250W generator converts the rider’s pedal power into electrical energy that charges the battery that powers the rear hub motors. This drive configuration minimizes maintenance requirements because there are no chains, belts, or other complicated drivetrain components to worry about.
Since the power is generated by pedaling and the quad does not have a throttle for non-pedal acceleration, it is basically a Pedelec and can therefore be driven without a driver’s license.
The bike rides on a set of rather peculiar disc wheels. They are tall and thin and support the square aluminum tubes of the bike frame. The four-wheel configuration guarantees a stable and safe ride, and the bike also has an adjustable rear suspension that ensures a smooth ride regardless of the load weight.
Photo: Dynamic Drives Giessen GmbH
Dynamic Drives offers two variants of the Intelectra Cargo Bike – Cargo L and Cargo XL. Both are equally capable of heavy-duty tasks, but differ in their overall dimensions and the size of the cargo area. The Cargo L version measures 2,728 mm (107.4 inches) in length and 976 mm (38.4 inches) in width and its cargo area can accommodate six Euro crates, while the XL model is 3,128 mm (123 inches) long and the same width but can accommodate up to eight crates.
Various optional accessories are available to enhance the functionality of the e-cargo bike, such as a passenger seat for transporting up to two people (this is attached to the vehicle frame in the cargo area), plastic cover plates to protect the loading area or a covered hood as weather protection.
As for pricing, the standard version starts at €9,250 (approximately $10,170), and Dynamic Drives plans to begin deliveries this fall. With its eco-friendliness and ability to carry large loads, the Intelectra Cargo Bike could meet various transportation needs and could potentially be used in urban logistics and last-mile delivery. Furthermore, this innovative vehicle offers a perfect blend of practicality, stability and ease of use and could prove to be a transformative device in the urban mobility scene, especially for those who need a device for short distances.
