Probably the last time you were in a pedal car was as a toddler. But as popular as e-bikes have become, it was inevitable that we would start seeing more of them, but with four wheels instead of two. And that is what we have here, the Kinner EV peddle car. Could this be the next mobility frontier? Let’s take a look.

Who designed the Kinner EV pedal car bike?

First off, we love how it looks, don’t you? Sleek and smooth, it looks light and should be light since you’ll be pedaling it some of the time. It kind of looks like a motorized killer whale, with its black and white finish. The Kinner was designed by Ari-Jukka Luomaranta from Kokkola, Finland. It has both a quaint, old-timey look, yet it also conveys a futuristic vibe-sort of a steam-punk deal.

Part of the reason for the paint breakup is that the upper portion of the body tilts up to allow for ingress and egress. And ahead of the seating area is room for groceries or other cargo. Since you won’t be road tripping with the Kinner, a grocery getter seems like the perfect use. That, or just to get some exercise and take in the sights.

Part of Luomaranta’s pitch is that the Kinner is made locally in Finland, with no offshoring. So there is less carbon footprint and no cheap overseas production. Most of the components are sourced locally to him, as are the craftsmen involved. That includes the 3D design, CNC milling, laser cutting, welding, metalwork, composite work, and assembly.

How does the Kinner pedal car work?

For speeds up to 15 mph, there is electric motor assistance. If you need to go faster, then you use your muscle power. So for casual motoring, not much effort is required. With a composite body and lightweight components, the Kinner is easy to propel. And the driving position makes it a lot easier to generate some muscle power than it does sitting on top of a bicycle seat. 

Extras include a windscreen, mirrors, and lights combined with blinkers. You have your choice of colors, and also what material the body is made from. It can be fiberglass, carbon fiber, or green bio-based composite material. There is also an integral anti-theft system. It seats two comfortably and has a steering wheel, not handlebars. 

How much will it cost?

The Kinner website says production begins now, but it looks like it is still in the development stages. It retails for 15.000 EU which figures around $16,000. It is unknown if it will be imported into the US, or if a broken-down version is possible to be shipped. 

With some areas of Europe closing off downtown streets to cars, you can take the Kinner and slip into heavily populated areas with no problem. Since it is registered as a bicycle, you don’t even need a license.