Flying SOLO: Electra Meccanica's Three-Wheeler Goes on Sale

Buy an Electra Meccanica SOLO and never argue with a passenger again.

The Vancouver-based company’s single-seat, three-wheeled electric commuter vehicle went on sale in Canada today, promising a range of about 100 miles and plenty of double takes from other motorists.

Electra Meccanica spent years working on the diminutive EV, which it says can accelerate to 62 miles per hour in about eight seconds. Charging takes three hours from a 220-volt outlet, or six hours from a 110-volt household wall socket.

The SOLO’s main purpose is to shuttle people to and from their workplace, while being easy to own and operate. With a length 19 inches shorter than a Fiat 500, parking shouldn’t be an issue. Weighing about 1,000 pounds (thanks to a composite body and aluminum drivetrain), the vehicle sports a 0.24 drag coefficient and draws power from a 16.1 kWh lithium-ion battery.

The quirky EV’s electric motor offers up 82 horsepower and 140 pounds-feet of torque to motivate the half-ton vehicle, so driving a SOLO might not be a boring experience. Hell, those figures easily top a Mitsubishi Mirage. Top speed is about 80 miles per hour.

The company describes itself as combining “founder Jerry Kroll’s extensive background in the race car industry with Intermeccanica custom coach builders’ 50 years of experience building high-quality, specialty vehicles.” SOLO deliveries begin in 2017, the company claims.

While the thought of buying from an independent car manufacturer, especially one selling three-wheelers, is enough to give any would-be customer cold feet (see Elio Motors), Electra Meccanica claims its online deposits (just $250) are fully refundable. The SOLO carries a Canadian MSRP of $19,888, lower than any EV offered in that country, but double the price of a base Nissan Micra, Chevrolet Spark or Mitsubishi Mirage.

[Image: Electra Meccanica Vehicles]