discovering Light Intermediate Vehicles

Between the bicycle and the car or van, there is room for a whole range of Light Intermediate Vehicles. Maxime Fontanier and I went to discover these “Vélis” in Laval (53), at the third eXtrême Défi show scheduled by Ademe from December 10 to 12, 2024.

eXtreme Challenge

An engineer specializing in transport and mobility, Gabriel Plassat launched the eXtrême Défi program at the start of 2022 for Ademe. Building on the success of the electrically assisted bicycle, the agency wanted to help startups develop solutions capable of “ 1000 times better » than a daily car carrying one, two, even three people, or a user with a load in the back.

Specifications clearly in favor of sobriety and accessibility to as many people as possible have been established: 10 times less expensive, 10 times more durable, 10 times lighter, 10 times simpler, 10 times less powerful, and use as quickly in town despite a speed limited to 25 km/h for similar electrically assisted bicycles, 45 km/h for light quadricycles, and 80 km/h for the heaviest.

Among the program’s partners, manufacturers, universities and engineering schools, laboratories and public authorities ready to provide resources and funding. By pooling as many elements as possible, dozens of vehicles with two, three, four wheels and more are expected to access the mobility markets.

Tests via the In’VD association

Previously, the prototypes assembled in France were tested more particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. This is precisely one of the missions that has been set through its program “ Vitamins 12 » the In’VD association (Soft Vehicle Innovation Association) which had a large stand at the Laval show.

Located in the department of Aveyron where the roads can have steep slopes under very diverse weather conditions, the structure has already made it possible to test these Intermediate Light Vehicles or Bicycles over a cumulative distance of more than 80,000 km. Free of charge, nurses, farmers, teachers, retirees, people looking for work, etc. can experiment for one to three months with two machines from the association’s fleet.

Before setting off for a minimum of 600 km to be covered over the period, the testers undergo a day of training for handling and safe driving. Then, they note in a notebook over the duration of the loan the sensations felt, the views of others as they pass, and the different driving conditions. The elements are then analyzed by Ademe and the ESO laboratory of the CNRS in Angers (49).

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Who are the Vélis for?

Because they allow you to take two children with you, Vélis enter into direct competition with electrically assisted cargo bikes, in particular those of the type longtailto replace one or more cars in families.

Van-type models may be of interest to a number of professionals, from traders and craftsmen who travel moderate distances in town, to industrialists for use on closed sites. There is also talk of equipping tourist areas. A very current reflection, for example in Belle-Ile-en-Mer, in Morbihan, where the In’VD association was invited the weekend following the Laval show.

In the Mayenne town, the eXtrême Défi program included conferences and workshops over the three days for all professionals concerned and/or interested in Vélis. However, several events were accessible to the general public, starting with the evening broadcast on Tuesday December 10, 2024 of the film “ The new mobile adventure », followed by an exchange with cycling reporter Jérôme Zindy.

The next afternoon, the Vélis paraded through Laval, before returning to the Espace Mayenne where the exhibition hall and outdoor testing track were open to all.

From classic to originality

As shown in Maxime Fontanier’s video, visitors were greeted at the entrance to the interior exhibition space by Mobilize Bento and Duo. The two-person model was presented undressed, with the battery and motor visible. The genre lends itself to it, the Vélis sometimes exploit very surprising technologies. So with the AirNAM Scorpio.

Developed for the L1e category of electrically assisted bicycles, it is however equipped with four wheels, the two at the rear of which are steered by operating a steering wheel. Its main originality is to be based on a structure which is inflatable, just like its bodywork. Thus, it is unbreakable, foldable, taking up less space to transport it. Solar cells make it possible to make short daily trips for free.

Circle’s vehicle is much more classic, a two-seater quadricycle type. Its 15 kW Valeo engine receives its energy from six removable battery modules each weighing 10 kg, for a total range of around 140 km. Available from next year, its commercial model targets local authority fleets.

A pendulum machine for 2026

In the same bay, between these Vélis, we discovered the Dual from ÆMotion, a pendulum machine: “ There are four wheels, but it is approved as an MP3. This vehicle, less than 80 cm wide, will lean in turns, up to more than 35 degrees “. As it is closed and fitted with a seat belt, the Dual, which can be used on expressways, can be driven without a helmet or glove.

If it has the appearance of polystyrene, the shield is made of expanded polypropylene (PPE). It is a kind of recyclable plastic foam that returns to its shape after a possible impact. Two versions will be offered. Accessible without a license, the one limited to 45 km/h has a 7 kW motor powered by two removable batteries each with an energy capacity of 2.2 kWh.

The version with a power of 15 kW will be equipped with a fixed battery allowing a range of up to 150 km. In this version, the machine can be driven with a B license and seven hours of training. The Dual would be offered from 2026, in the form of a long-term rental against a monthly rent of 200 euros, after a contribution of 3,000 euros. “ Frankly, I find it very relevant », appreciated Maxime Fontanier.

Animation on the test track

Many other Velis were on display in the building. Utility vehicles or for traveling in pairs, threes or even more with school transportation, a certain number of them were closer to the electrically assisted bicycle than to the automobile. This was evidenced by this Valeo Cyclee engine whose innards were exposed.

If a few stands particularly focused the attention of visitors, it was outside, around and on the testing track, that there was the most activity. The machine which undoubtedly surprised the most and perhaps the least convinced those who tested it in Laval, is this bike equipped with a treadmill on which you have to walk to activate the electric assistance. . Once the habit is formed, it is undoubtedly easier to exploit it.

The desire to discover the Vélis was such that there were real bottlenecks getting on and off the track. If it was difficult to test the accelerations due to a fairly short route and the traffic, the windings offered the advantage of observing the functioning of the pendulum models or more articulated than usual in terms of the suspensions.

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Diversity

Some machines that were displayed outside are already available. Thus the Woodybus that I discovered in Nantes for Cleanrider at the start of this year 2024. But also the Weez from Eon Motors, quickly spotted by Maxime Fontanier: “ It has been on sale since March 2023. Its big advantage is to offer you a volume of 600 liters in the trunk for a length of 3 meters “. And you can read his essay Saturday morning on Automobile Propre!

Like the BMW i3, it has opposing doors. Its four motors, one for each wheel, develop a maximum combined power of 12 kW. The whole thing is powered by an LFP (lithium iron phosphate) pack with a capacity of 11.5 kWh, for a range announced at 100 km. The Weez is priced at 15,890 euros in the utility version, and 16,890 euros in the version intended for individuals.

Next to her was the Avatar which, like the ÆMotion Dual, uses EPP for its bodywork. However, the chassis is made of steel on this vehicle, which is both light and spacious, equipped with photovoltaic cells on the top of its butterfly doors. The engine with a power of less than 15 kW receives its energy from four removable batteries giving this vehicle a range of around a hundred kilometers. Its price would be around 12,000 euros.

Quick discovery of the Kilow Car

Among the models that enjoyed great success on the track, the Kilow Bagnole that Maxime Fontanier was able to try: “ This mini Jeep has a very nice look. It exists in two versions, one limited to 45 km/h and the other to 80. Wider and lower than a Citroën Ami, it has a better center of gravity ».

The 15 kW motor is powered by two batteries of 6 kWh each. Because the cells are not soldered, the packs are easily repairable. Weighing less than 450 kg, this quadricycle offers 75 to 135 km of autonomy. The disappearance of the environmental bonus of 900 euros for this model increases the amount of the check to be signed from 9,900 euros including tax to 10,800. With an additional 1,000 euros, it is possible to add doors.

We left Laval enthusiastic: “ Seeing small startups trying to make real popular French vehicles, economical and affordable, that’s what we expect from French automobiles – the 4 L and the 2 CV electric -, rather than SUVs weighing more than two tonnes at more than 50,000 euros and which are aimed at a wealthy clientele ».