Electra Meccanica Finally Reveals The Solo Single-Seat EV Commuter
It’s been a while since we spoke of Electra Meccanica, and last we covered the company, it was teasing us with the reveal of its single user Commuter three-wheel electric vehicle (EV). The company also announced the Solo EV at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES).
Electra Meccanica Releases The Solo EV Commuter
Electra Meccanica has an interesting history which you can check out in the story we covered on its enticing roadster Tofino. But the focus of the company is still the Solo commuter car.
Although the Solo EV Commuter answers a very niche market, the single-seater car boasts a 100-mile range at a $15,500 price tag. It is highway legal since its top speed is 85 MPH, and should you want to pump some adrenaline, it sprints from 0 to 60 in 8 seconds. It boasts 61.14 kW (82 hp) with 94.4 pf ft. lb. of torque (128 Nm) powered by a 16.1 kWh lithium battery pack.
It rests on a lightweight “aerospace composite chassis” weighing close to 1,378 pounds (625 kg), which should make that 61.14 kW electric motor feel brisk. It has all wheel disc brakes, as well as an LCD digital instrument cluster, remote keyless entry, power windows, and a stereo with Bluetooth/CD/USB. It also has a rear view backup camera and a front and rear trunk.
And since it is an EV, it qualifies for the HOV lane access in many states as well as the $5,000 tax credit. The company is accepting a refundable $250 CAD (~$160 at time of print) deposit. We are told shipping will begin by the end of 2018.
The Electra Meccanica One-Seater Solo Revealed At CES
Electra Meccanica’s single-seater Solo EV was revealed at CES’ ShowStoppers on January 9 of this year. The company says the Solo will only take three hours to recharge on a 220-volt charging station.
Jerry Kroll, CEO of Electra Meccanica was quoted as saying: “We are looking forward to offering a sneak peek at the SOLO to as many people as possible during these world-class events. We want to show — not simply tell — our audience that we are doing our part to invest in a cleaner planet for future generations. Essentially, the SOLO has two doors, three wheels and one overarching mission — to close the last gas station.”
The company also offers the Super Solo EV commuter, and although the latest announcement doesn’t say anything about the Super, we hope it will also be part of the launch at the end of the year.
It also teases the future release of other vehicles called the EMV19 and Project K. Both can be reserved with a refundable deposit of $1,000 CAD (~$803 at time of print).
Final Thoughts and Conclusion on the Electra Meccanica Solo
Do we need small and light EV commuters? You bet. But we do question the use of a single-seater vehicle if it is to answer the congestion problems our modern cities have. Perhaps the Electra Meccanica Solo EV commuter would be better used in suburbia where traffic and space are not nearly a problem.
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