If you slowly whittled down a Tesla Cybertruck into an e-bike, I imagine it would look something like this. Of course, I doubt the brand behind this innovative take on an electric bicycle would appreciate the comparison, given the political climate.
Regardless, the Olto looks different for a reason: It’s not quite like any e-bike/e-moped that has come before. Created by Infinite Machine, a startup based in New York City, the Olto is really a hybrid of a moped/scooter and an e-bike. It’s meant to function in both bike lanes and city streets, primarily for local transport and urban commuting.
Infinite Machine Olto
It’s the second offering from Infinite Machine, which first made the P1, a Vespa-inspired scooter with a top speed of 65 mph and a price tag of $10,000. But the U.S. doesn’t have the scooter culture — or slower-moving traffic — that makes the agile little vehicles so popular in Europe. So a design like the Olto, with a lower top speed and a footrest that transforms into pedals, may find more interest in the U.S. market.
Moreover, the Olto can move in reverse, carry two passengers, and offers various driving modes to ensure you’re meeting the constantly changing regulations for e-bikes. It has a top speed of 20 mph in the bike lane mode, but can also speed up to 33 mph for venturing off-road.
And with a $3,500 price tag, it’s a more realistic purchase for the majority of Americans who still have to keep an actual car on hand.
The Details
With 40 miles of range, a swappable battery, and magnetic foldable pedals, Infinite Machine claims the “Olto works perfectly in any environment, from the wide open landscape to the dense urban city.”
More specifically, the vehicle’s pedals fold out if you want to ride with pedal assist, or lock in magnetically if you prefer to use the throttle. A dual-suspension frame and whisper-quiet 750W rear hub motor will deliver a ride that feels “premium, intuitive, and fun,” Infinite Machine said.
Want to ride with a passenger? No problem, says the brand, as the bike comes with hidden footpegs and underseat handles for extra safety. It also has integrated turn signals and high and low beams, which supposedly turn off automatically when not needed.
Battery-Powered
The Olto’s UL-certified battery slides in under the seat and can be removed with one hand. The battery is also “hot-swappable,” meaning you can safely swap in a fresh battery without turning off the vehicle.
As for charging, it can reach 50% in 1 hour, though reaching full juice will take at least several additional hours of waiting.
It’s also from weatherproof, extruded aluminum, so the Olto can be stored outside. If that makes you worry about theft, Infinite Machine also calls its new vehicle “virtually theft-proof.” That’s thanks to its “Infinite Security suite.”
Every Olto bike is connected to the internet and tracked with GPS coordinates via the Infinite Machine app. The bikes also have a dedicated Apple AirTag slot so you can track Olto with Apple’s Find My network as well.
Security
When you park, Olto automatically locks the steering and wheels to make it “incredibly difficult to move,” the brand said. If someone does try to tamper with your vehicle, an alarm will sound and you’ll receive an instant notification on your phone.
There’s also no key for this thing. Starting and unlocking the Olto happens in the app, which can be programmed to start up the engine as soon as you walk up.
Infinite Machine Olto: Pricing & Availability
We’ll have to wait and see how it plays out, and if folks sharing the bike lanes will be intrigued or aggravated with the Olto, pedals or not. Preorders are available today for $3,495. You can put down a $100 deposit, or if you pay the full price now, your order will be prioritized to ship when the Olto is ready this fall.
But how will these vehicles actually perform when navigating busy bike lanes full of an increasingly diverse array of transportation options? Only time will tell.
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