Mobilität: „Neue Fahrzeugklasse“: Novus will Autofahrer für seine Lightbikes begeistern

After years of work, René Renger, the founder of Novus, has developed his dream vehicle. Initially in his living room, it has been under development with his startup Novus since 2019. The company aims to become the market leader in urban lightweight mobility. However, the path has been long and challenging. The first Novus model took longer than planned to hit the streets and is heavier than initially advertised.

Despite these setbacks, Novus sees an opportunity for market breakthrough and has convinced some prominent investors of their business model. A recent funding round reportedly raised a low six-figure sum, including investors such as Eric Bach, former chief engineer of Lucid Motors, and Martin Hoffmann, who brought the running shoe specialist On to the stock market.

The company's German founder has apparently already generated attention in the electric mobility scene early on. In 2019, when he presented the first model of his electric lightweight motorcycle at the CES trade fair, he reportedly received a call from Elon Musk's secretary. The Tesla CEO wanted to buy the first prototype. The company wants to create a new class of vehicles, not just replicating motorcycles or other existing models.

The Novus One features a hub motor, a self-supporting carbon frame with an integrated battery. While competitors simply electrify existing models, Novus builds the vehicle around the electric motor, with the weight distribution as low as possible. The result is a bike that is as light as a Vespa, has more torque than a Ducati, and is as easy to ride as an e-bike.

A special "Founders Edition" will initially launch 100 vehicles, many of which have already been shipped. They weigh 121 kilograms and cost the proud net price of 21,300 euros, more than some small cars. In some European countries, the Novus One can be ridden with a car driver's license. In Germany, this applies to the weaker-powered version, while the other can be operated with an extension of the car driver's license.

The Novus One reaches a top speed of 130 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 50 km/h in 1.9 seconds. The 6.2 kWh battery is supposed to charge to 80 percent in 90 minutes. The torque is 430 Newtonmetern. The entry-level version corresponds to a 50 cubic centimeter motorcycle, with a 125 configuration possible via software. By the end of 2027, the Volumenmarkt should be addressed with the Novus Two, which is half as expensive.

The data for the entry-level model is not yet available, but it is based on the same platform. Later, four-wheel variants are also planned. The market is a challenge, as electric motorcycles have traditionally been a niche. According to the Motor Industry Association, 2025 will see around 2,400 electric motorcycles and almost 3,900 electric scooters like classic motorcycles newly licensed.

The electric share is significantly lower than in cars, at a calculator two or ten percent. Novus primarily targets a different group of customers. "The Novus Lightbike is a vehicle for non-motorcycle drivers," says Renger. The target group are the more than 400 million drivers in Europe and North America who prefer to be more agile on their way to work.

City centers are already too crowded and noisy, says Chief Strategy Officer Hannes Krieger. Electric cars that are as large as internal combustion engines only solve a part of the problem. "We need to distribute urban mobility anew." Andreas Knie, a sociologist and mobility researcher at the Berlin Research Center, sees opportunities for the project, but considers some claims to be somewhat exaggerated.

"The vehicle looks good, seems solid and stable," he told the Handelsblatt. A new vehicle class is, however, not out of the question in his view. "It is just a stylish small motorcycle." It is possible that some car drivers will switch. There is indeed interest among drivers in alternatives, especially in the city. Even young people who don't have a car find the bike particularly interesting.

"But there is already a lot of competition: E-scooters, Pedelecs and S-Bikes, mopeds and small motorbikes," he said. Therefore, for him, "yes, such a vehicle will find its market, but it will initially remain small." The investor network intends to help Novus. They point out that the Novus is much easier and simpler to drive than traditional motorcycles.

It takes only five minutes for most non-motorcycle drivers to master it. Renger is convinced: "The market is there, we have absolutely no doubt about that." He wants to build Novus into a major European manufacturer with a presence in Germany. "We want to grow to the size of today's Harley-Davidson or Vespa." Both brands sell a six-figure number of vehicles annually. Whether Novus can scale to such dimensions remains to be seen.