The Cixi Vigoz is one of the strangest electric mobility concepts to come out of France: a three-wheeled, two-seat vehicle that looks closer to a small EV than a conventional e-bike, yet still requires the driver to pedal. Cixi says the Vigoz can reach a top speed of 75 mph and deliver up to 100 miles of range on a full charge, depending on the level of electric assistance.
Developed by French startup Cixi, the Vigoz is not quite a car, not quite a motorcycle and not a normal e-bike either. It uses the company’s PERS chainless pedaling system, which allows the driver to control the vehicle’s speed through pedaling. According to the source, the vehicle will not move unless the driver pedals.
The project has been in development since 2015, and the latest version is described as being in the design intent phase. That means the final production model is expected to remain close to the current prototype, although there is still no confirmed production date.
The Cixi Vigoz uses a 22-kWh battery connected to a rear electric motor. Cixi claims the vehicle can travel up to 100 miles, or around 160 kilometers, on a full charge. It is also said to be highway-compatible, with a claimed top speed of 75 mph, equivalent to roughly 120 km/h.
Charging is handled through a Type 2 AC charging port, which gives the Vigoz a more car-like charging setup than most electric bikes. However, unlike a traditional EV, its pedal-based control system remains central to how it operates.
Despite its unusual layout, the Vigoz is designed with some practical features. It has two seats, and the rear seat includes Isofix mounting points for a certified child seat. There is also an open rear trunk area, which can be expanded by folding down the rear body panel. When that rear section is extended, the Vigoz becomes a single-seater.
The vehicle has two side doors, allowing occupants to enter from the safer side depending on the road environment. When a door opens, the steering bar automatically drops to make entry easier.
One of the Vigoz’s most notable technical features is its automatic tilting function. Cixi says the system helps the vehicle corner smoothly and improves handling. The same PERS chainless pedaling system is also used for reversing the vehicle.
In terms of size, the latest Vigoz prototype measures 137.8 inches long, 65 inches tall and 60.6 inches wide. That makes it larger than many might expect from something described as an e-bike. Cixi says the finished vehicle is intended to be approved for use on public roads, including highways.
The Vigoz includes three-point seatbelts as standard, but it does not have airbags or a traditional air conditioning system. Instead, the driver gets seat-mounted fans for cooling in warm weather. Cixi argues that the absence of a steering wheel makes airbag integration difficult, while the seatbelts provide the main safety protection.
Licensing requirements will vary by market. Depending on the country, drivers may need either a small car license or a combination of a regular car license and a light motorcycle license.
Cixi has not announced a production date or pricing for the Vigoz. However, the company has confirmed one key detail: the vehicle will not be sold outright. Instead, it will be offered through a subscription model.
That decision could make the Vigoz an even more unusual entry in the growing world of alternative electric mobility. With its mix of pedals, EV hardware, two-seat practicality and highway-capable performance, the Cixi Vigoz sits in a category almost entirely of its own.
