New Mate SUV is a cargo e-bike designed as a true car alternative

New Mate SUV is a cargo e-bike designed as a true car alternative

Autocar

Published

Danish firm's newest offering is an SUV by name, but definitely not by nature

Danish firm Mate has revealed a new SUV that really is a bit different: it's an electric cargo bike designed to tempt people to out of their four-wheeled SUVs.

The e-bike manufacturer claims that the new Mate SUV is a genuine alternative to a car for shorter urban journeys, and is designed to offer a more sustainable alternative to the estimated 60 per cent of car trips that are shorter than five miles.

*The latest e-bike news in your inbox: get the FREE Move Electric newsletter*

The three-wheeled Mate SUV features a frame made from 90 per cent recycled aluminium and features a 250W mid-drive motor that’s fitted with a torque sensor and offers 66lb ft of torque. There are Envilio internal gears, hydraulic twin disc brakes and an electric assist range of up to 62 miles.

The cargo load area is found at the front of the SUV and can be fitted with a variety of modular options, including a box, roof and seats. The storage capacity is 210 litres, which Mate claims can hold one adult or two children, or four crates of drink. The firm also says that ‘wing technology’ makes it easy to load, including step-in, barrier-free access for children.

*Move Electric's best electric bikes for Christmas 2022*

The bike also features built-in LED lights, shock absorbing materials and 4G connectivity, which allows for vehicle tracking and setting key functions via a smartphone app. The Mate SUV was styled by Zanzotti Design in Munich, Germany.

The Mate SUV will initially be offered in the UK and Europe, and is available to pre-order now for £49. Reserving a model will give a 20 per cent discount on the final price, which is expected to be around £5600.

Mate boss Thomas Vuillez said that “it is on our DNA to make e-biking cool and fun”, adding: “The SUV is something that was born out of our curiosity about how we move and to challenge the known ways of running errands and making short trips.”

*READ MORE*

*Subscribe to the Move Electric newsletter*

*e-CARS*

*E-cars news and reviews*

*Hyundai Ioniq 6 review*

*Chinese car brand Nio to expand into UK by end of 2023*

*Driving a Citroën Ami around London: five things we learned *

*New Polestar 3: 380kW performance EV aims to 'redefine' the electric SUV*

*e-BIKES*

*E-bike reviews and news*

*Cooper CG-7E e-bike review*

*How safe are electric bikes? *

*Seven essential accessories to improve your e-bike life*

*The Lake District village that's pioneering community e-bike schemes*

*e-MOTORBIKES*

*E-motorbike reviews and news*

*Honda to launch more than 10 electric motorbikes by 2030*

*New Zero DSR/X launched as electric adventure motorbike*

*Stilride: the brand reinventing electric motorbike production*

*e-SCOOTERS*

*E-scooter news and reviews*

*8Tev B12 Roam e-scooter review*

*Pure Electric launches two new machines that 'reinvent' the e-scooter*

*Rise in e-scooter accidents prompts call for 'urgent' government action*

*e-WORLD*

*E-world news*

*Artemis electric ferry revealed for Bangor to Belfast service*

*New Mobilize Solo Concept is a safety-conscious e-scooter rival*

*Volta Zero: the electric truck tearing up the rule book for the electric age*

Full Article