Post-2035 there will be a wide mobility gap between cycling, dominated by the young, fit and brave, and e-cars, which are unaffordable for a large proportion of the population. In addition, e-cars have substantial carbon and resource footprints upstream, perpetuate traffic congestion and particulate emissions, require extensive recharging infrastructure and with mass deployment will strain the national grid. They also create major recycling and disposal challenges downstream. A mass personal mobility strategy based primarily on e-cars is not sustainable in the long term.

The CitiPod provides a low-carbon, zero-emission mass micromobility solution. It combines e-bike technology with leading-edge automotive design and engineering techniques to create a safe, stable, weather-protected active travel vehicle. The CitiPod has almost the same level of comfort and protection as a microcar while still conforming to UK and EU e-bike regulations. It can travel on cycleways and roads, with a space footprint of less than a third of an average car. Its ultra-lightweight construction (sub-60kg) makes it highly manoeuvrable and minimises wear and tear on roads.

CitiPod will be deployed in shared mobility public operation fleets, with a user app similar to public bike share schemes. It will also be available for personal ownership or leasing for door-to-door journeys, with a target price of £3,000\. With a carriage capacity of 100kg in addition to the driver, CitiPod can include rear seating for two children or an adult. The cargo version will accommodate a payload volume of up to 550 litres/100kg , making it ideal for first- and last-mile deliveries.