-The SitGo can be carried into cafes, bars and restaurants and into cars
-It is powered by a 180-watt brushless motor that runs off a lithium battery
-It can hit a top speed of 15mph with a range of 25 miles on a single charge
-The bike, which takes three to five hours to charge, costs around £420
Electric bikes have failed to take off in a big way, partly because they are heavy and take time to charge up.But now experts have created a new bike which can be folded down so small it fits inside a suitcase, and can be charged using an in-car cigarette lighter.
The makers of the SitGo bike say their revolutionary device is perfect for taking on commuter-packed trains and buses, and can be carried into cafes, bars and restaurants instead of having to be locked up outside.
The precision-engineered bike is powered by a 180-watt brushless motor that runs off a lithium battery, can hit a top speed of 15mph and has a range of 25 miles on a single charge.
It looks like a 21st century miniature version of the classic Penny Farthing bike, with the front wheel much bigger than the rear one.
But unlike its 19th century ancestor, because it is built from aerospace-grade aluminium it weighs just 18kgs.
It can also be charged using a regular 220V household plug, and has a built-in USB port that can in turn be used to charge smart devices on the go.
The bike is the brainchild of an international team of designers who came together in 2014 to design smart travel equipment.
They have launched the product on crowdfunding website Kickstarter in the hope of raising £15,000.
The bike can be pre-ordered for $649 - or £420 - but it will cost £700 when it goes on general sale later this year.
Wilson King, 31, a spokesman for the Hong Kong-based team, said: 'The next generation electric folding bike is here.
'Electric folding bikes have not changed much in over 10 years. They have normal wheels and less-than-ideal geometry.
'They ride poorly, they are heavy and awkward to use, and worst of all they don't actually fold down that small.
'We set out to change all of that.
'Two years ago we started working on a vision of the perfect electric folding bike - a bike that is lightweight, durable, safe and easy to use, and folds incredibly small.
'SitGo has taken a radical departure from conventional bike design. It is unlike any other electric bicycle in the world.
'It is the world's first electric bicycle that can be charged with a car's cigarette lighter socket, and is so compact it can fit almost anywhere.
'SitGo is easy to store and use with three simple folding and unfolding steps. It is the best partner for your daily travel needs.
'At the office, its folding design allows you to store it under your desk.
'It is so compact it can also be taken on the subway or bus, put inside a car trunk or packed inside a suitcase.
'SitGo is so compact it can fit almost anywhere.'
SitGo has so far raised £12,000 on Kickstarter with just over two days left to hit its target.