New tilting flatbed e-trike is like a pedal powered pickup truck

Cargo e-bikes are already replacing cars for a surprising number of people, but Cube’s newest electric trike goes a step further – literally adding a miniature pickup bed to a tilting three-wheeler platform designed for hauling just about anything. Meet the Cube Trike Flatbed Hybrid 750, the newest member of the company’s increasingly versatile Trike Hybrid lineup.

If the design looks vaguely familiar, that’s because this whole family of tilt-steer trikes began life as a wild BMW-backed concept several years ago. The idea was simple but brilliant: let the rider and front end lean like a normal bike while keeping the rear cargo section level.

It took Cube several rounds of engineering to turn that prototype into two production models – a family carrier and a traditional cargo box version – and now the company has flipped the script with a flat, open platform that works more like a pedal-assist pickup.

The new Flatbed Hybrid 750 swaps the rear box for an anti-slip platform rated for 60 kg (132 lb), complete with tie-down points on each corner. Instead of dictating how you haul your stuff, Cube leaves that part up to your imagination: strap down packages, bolt on specialty tool racks, mount a cooler, or even build your own modular cargo crate.

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Power comes from Bosch’s Powerful CX mid-drive motor, putting out 85 Nm of torque and capped at the EU’s 25 km/h (15.5 mph) assist limit.

Don’t get too excited on the power front: the “750” in the name refers to the 750 Wh battery feeding the system. Bosch’s motors are still technically listed as 250W continuous, helping them wink-wink their way to street-legal compliance in the EU.

The tilting linkage between the front end and the dual rear wheels keeps the handling surprisingly natural, even when loaded.

A Suntour suspension fork with 100 mm of travel, Enviolo’s manual stepless gearing, and Tektro hydraulic brakes round out the ride experience. Wheel sizes are 24 inches up front and 20 inches in the rear, all wrapped in Schwalbe tires.

Cube even sneaks in a storage cubby behind the seatpost, and buyers can add a front basket for extra capacity.

The Trike Flatbed Hybrid 750 is available now in Europe starting at €5,799 (about US$6,700). It’s not cheap, but as urban-friendly utility vehicles go, this is one of the most clever – and customizable – platforms on the market today.

via: New Atlas