The NOVUS One has 25 kW of power output and a large hole in its frame. It costs 21,300 euros net.
The German startup NOVUS announced on October 19, 2026, that it had secured funding in the tens of millions of dollars. The funds are intended to support growth in Europe and entry into the U.S. in 2027, with the company’s flagship product remaining the electric NOVUS One featuring its distinctive open frame.
A lightweight motorcycle without a clutch or gearbox
The NOVUS One is already in mass production, with the first deliveries to Europe starting earlier in 2026. Its design was created by René Renger, the company’s founder and former chief designer at Volkswagen, who has worked on projects such as the Golf and ID. Buzz. Design, development, and final assembly take place in Germany, while most of the components are intended to come from Europe.
The most noticeable feature is the carbon fiber monocoque frame. Instead of a traditional motorcycle chassis, there’s a large empty space that looks as though someone removed the middle section of the vehicle in a graphics program. This design helps keep the weight at 121 kg.
The engine mounted in the hub generates up to 25 kW, or 33 horsepower, along with 430 Nm of torque in the most powerful mode. NOVUS claims the One can accelerate from 0 to 50 km/h in less than 2 seconds and reach a top speed of 130 km/h.
The battery has a capacity of 6.2 kWh. The claimed range is 150 km, but this applies to urban driving at lower speeds. It takes 90 minutes to charge the battery from 0 to 80%. The manufacturer did not provide more detailed conditions for measuring range or charging speed, so these values should not be directly compared to motorcycles tested using different procedures.
The rider gets three driving modes, smartphone integration, keyless start, and remote software updates.
One motorcycle, two categories, and a high price
The same chassis can be programmed as a vehicle for two classes. The L3e version reaches a top speed of 130 km/h, while the L1e is limited to 45 km/h and falls into a category similar to a scooter. The required license depends on the market. NOVUS calls its vehicle a “Lightbike” and tries to position it between a scooter and a motorcycle.
The problem is the price. The NOVUS One Founders Edition starts at 21,300 euros before taxes. That’s very high for an electric single-wheeler designed mainly for urban use, even though it weighs little and is hard to mistake for anything else.
A cheaper version is expected to appear by the end of 2027. The NOVUS Two is already in development and, according to the company, will have a “significantly lower” entry price and be produced on a larger scale. No specific figure has been released yet. It will be this model that shows whether the striking frame hole will attract customers as well as just draw attention.
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