Mitka: Sustainable Commuter Transport?

Mitka (short for ‘individual mobility concept for short distance’ in Dutch) was a three-wheel, human-powered vehicle with an electric motor and a maximum speed of 40 km per hour that could cover up to 25 km without recharge. Seven Dutch organizations – two design companies, two vehicle manufacturers, a sportswear manufacturer, a university and a consulting company – joined forces to develop and market Mitka, hoping it would replace cars for short-distance travel. The ultimate goal was to improve the natural environment by introducing radical technological innovation. The project took off supported by the team’s strong conviction and the media’s enthusiastic response. Within four years (1997-2001), Mitka grew from a vague concept to a sleek, life-size mock-up. An additional €600.000 investment (atop the initial €300.000) was secured to build a functioning prototype that could attract more investment. The team was filled with spirit but still faced challenges. Technological complications and an unfamiliar market environment both posed obstacles. Above all, many potential customers had trouble accepting Mitka’s highly innovative design and seeing themselves use it in daily life.