Three-wheel electric car soon on road

In the US there’s a $7,500 federal tax credit for passenger vehicles, although if the Solo is classified as an electric motorcycle (the likely outcome), an Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit of $2500 would apply.

Jeff Holland, speaking for Electra Meccanica Vehicles Corp. says “eighty-three per cent of people, according to the United States department of transportation, commute daily by themselves in a auto”.

The Solo could go on sale as early as November pending approval by USA and Canadian regulators costing around NZD$20,000.

The vehicle is 10 feet long, approximately 14 inches longer than a Smart Car and 19 inches shorter than a Fiat 500. The 992-pound, single seat, three-wheel electric vehicle is rated for 100 miles per charge of its 16.1kWh lithium-ion battery. With an expected curb weight of just under 1,000 pounds, the SOLO is estimated to go 0-60 miles per hour in about 8 seconds, while top speed is limited to around 80 miles per hour.

The Solo is classified as a auto in Canada and as an autocycle in 41 states, Holland said. This means the driver is not required to wear a helmet or have a motorcycle license.

Electra Meccanica expects its customers to be urban commuters who want an environmentally friendly vehicle. The small runabout can be fully recharged in 3 hours via a 220 Volt power source. And with Titanium Silver, Electric Red, Raven Black, and Arctic White exterior color choices and Anthracite Gray or Platinum Silver 15-inch alloy wheels, Solo owners will have no problem finding their trike in a sea of other Solos in the commuter lot. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the outlook for Electra Meccanica’s future operations, plans and timing for Electra Meccanica’s SOLO vehicle, electric vehicle programs, statements about future market conditions, supply and demand conditions, forecasts of future costs and expenditures, and other expectations, intentions and plans that are not historical facts. The Solo could go on sale as early as November pending approval by USA and Canadian regulators.

While the same money will buy a five-passenger subcompact vehicle, features like an audio system with Bluetooth and USB, power windows, along with an available backup camera should keep commuters content.

The Solo’s gestation began back in 2007, when current Electra Meccanica CEO Jerry Kroll partnered with Henry Reisner, president of coachbuilder Intermeccanica.

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