Hands-on: The Veemo pedal-electric velomobile gets put through its ...

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Hands-on: The Veemo pedal-electric velomobile gets put through its ... New Atlas

When it comes to electric vehicles, there's definitely a gap between small, simple ebikes and larger, costlier electric cars. The new-and-improved Veemo Velomobile is intended to firmly fill that niche – and I recently got to try it out for myself.

We first heard about the pedal-electric Veemo back in 2016, when it was being developed by Vancouver-based startup VeloMetro. Although that firm ended up going bankrupt, Canadian company Envo Drive Systems acquired the rights to the vehicle earlier this year.

Whereas VeloMetro was putting all its eggs in one basket (the Veemo), Envo has a considerably wider range of micro-electric mobility solutions to its name. These include various ebikes and e-trikes, along with things like a SnowBike, an e-ATV and even a Water Bike.

For this reason, the company's founders believe that they have the experience, resources and diversified portfolio necessary for making the Veemo into a successful commercial product. They're confident enough that they invited members of the media to ride a prototype version of the velomobile last week at the company's headquarters in Burnaby, British Columbia.

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For readers who aren't familiar with velomobiles, they're essentially recumbent tricycles that are enclosed within a streamlined shell that reduces wind drag and provides protection from the elements.

The Veemo is no exception to that design, although with its relatively tall stance of 150 cm (59 in), it's definitely made more for comfort, rain protection and visibility. In fact, one of the target markets is seniors looking for a comfier and more stable alternative to an ebike...

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Acquisition Breathes New Life into the Quirky and Cool Velomobile ... Momentum Mag

The e-mobility market has always welcomed innovation. So when ENVO Drive Systems revealed its acquisition of the Veemo ‘e-velomobile’, it piqued industry interest. This move not only strengthens a large Canadian e-mobility brand in the market but also highlights its commitment to evolving the field.

For the uninitiated, what exactly is a velomobile? A velomobile is a human-powered vehicle with an enclosed shell for aerodynamics and protection from the weather. Over the years, these vehicles have evolved, with the addition of electric assistance turning them into electric velomobiles.

The ENVO Veemo is a modern spin on the traditional velomobile. This three-wheeled, semi-enclosed e-trike isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about fusing practicality with innovation. With the two wheels up front, it ensures greater stability, making sharp turns and navigation through cityscapes a breeze. Its design, which accommodates two passengers, is a nod to the future of eco-friendly urban commuting. Its unique blend of a traditional bike’s posture with the comfort of recumbents makes it stand out.

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Beyond its structural design, the Veemo is all about ensuring an enhanced riding experience. A full-front windshield protects against rain and debris, while a hard plastic roof offers shelter, making all-weather commuting feasible. Side openings ensure easy entry and exit, simultaneously providing ventilation, which is a boon, especially during warm weather.

The journey of Veemo, though innovative, was not without challenges. Financial difficulties and market challenges led Velo Metro, its parent company, to bankruptcy. But where many saw an end, ENVO saw potential.

“A few years ago we started a project at ENVO called ‘Velo Mobile’. That project has since been focussed on developing a product whose features and specifications address deficiencies across the micro e-mobility space, like the desirability of the product, size, weight, quality of ride, noise, safety, transportability, and after-sales services,” says ENVO founder and CEO Ali Kazemkhani. “But while we’ve made strong progress along those lines, Veemo was well ahead and offered the best project in this field, thanks to the excellent teamwork among their top-of-the-line engineers, plus 10 years of experimental research and development. The Veemo is extremely well-developed in terms of weight, stability, and ergonomics; and equally important, it’s a great-looking product that’s super fun to ride.

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