Electra Meccanica unveiled a new miniature electric commuter car to help reduce traffic congestion during rush hour. The Solo has been dubbed an ‘electric commuter car’ which is environmentally-friendly. However, it’s bizarre three-wheeled design, reminiscent of the Reliant Robin, is not such an appealing option.
Makers claim it isn’t intended to replace the family car, and is meant for single use. Solo’s designers evaluated and determined the number of people who commute back and forth work alone in their large cars. That is why it was designed to have a single seat for the driver, with enough space in the back to place your personal belongings, shopping bags and valuables. Solo’s small size allows it to reach a driving range of 100 miles in just one full charge. Considering the average daily round trip to work is around 40 miles it means one charge could last for two days of commuting.
Electra Meccanica, according to Hybrid Cars, is based in Canada. It is the electric division of InterMeccanica—a company that has been building custom vehicles and car parts since 1959. The company supposes that the Solo will become the commuter vehicle of choice for the masses, thus, delivering them a non-polluting and very economical offering. Furthermore, the creators state that the electric car is fun to drive and will become so familiar on roads that the quirky design will grow on consumers.
The Bold Idea on the Electric Commuter Car
The Solo houses a 16.1-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery which provides power to operate the back wheel. The motor produces 82 horsepower which will take you from 0 to 60 mph in less than eight seconds, with a top speed of 80 mph. With an asking price of around $15,000, the Solo is a cheap addition to the electric car market. The size of the car is enough to fit into car spaces allocated for motorcycles. Also, the battery can be fully charged in just three hours. Although this little run around may get you to work on time, enabling you to zip around traffic and fit into hard to reach spaces, the safety implications are yet to be realized.
It’s a bold idea that has many positive attributes, but it remains to be seen what will happen to the unlucky driver if they are hit by a Mini Cooper—or even worse a bulky Sedan.
