Electric bikes are a dime a dozen these days, but a new one from Copenhagen-based startup Kvaern has two things that stand out: a unique compact style and a solar-powered battery pack for charging.
The €999 ($1,200) Kvaern bike is pedal-assist (meaning you still have to do some work) and uses a 250W motor that’s built into the frame to get up to 15 miles per hour in just a few seconds, according to the company. An integrated battery is good enough for about 30 miles of range, which also pops out for easy charging.
If you want to go all in on that green e-bike lifestyle, though, Kvaern is also selling a 360wH battery and solar panel combo for €449 ($548), so you can power the bike with nothing but sunlight.
Kvaern is launching the bike and solar power pack on Indiegogo later this week, and customers around the world will be able to buy the bike and the power pack together or separately. (Just know there’s no discount if you buy them together.) Kvaern plans to enter production soon in order to deliver the bike this summer and the power pack combo this fall.
As is always is the case with companies that launch products on Indiegogo, there’s a chance those things never happen. But if you’re in love with the idea and don’t particularly want to roll the dice on a startup, there are plenty of similarly priced portable batteries and solar panels already available on the market, and an abundance of e-bikes at or under Kvaern’s price tag. You might have to do a little comparison shopping if you want to find something that matches the Copenhagen startup’s style, but you’ll certainly be able to ride the sun’s rays a lot sooner.