This is the Electra Meccanica Solo, an independently developed electric vehicle from a company based in Canada.
The Solo features rather small dimensions in its bid to function as a cost-effective and environment friendly automobile, transporting you to work or the grocery store.
The Solo is 3 048 mm long, 1 209 mm wide and 1 283 mm tall. Thanks to its lightweight aerospace composite chassis, it weighs in at a paltry 450 kg and has an impressive Cd of 0,24. The external features include bi-halogen headlamps with daytime running lights, heated side-mirrors, and two speed windshield wipers.
The small EV also makes use of 15-inch alloy wheels which are mated to a set of 55/60 R15 front and 175/55 R15 rear Continental All Season tyres.
On the inside, the driver is greeted by an LCD digital instrument cluster, keyless ignition, electric windows, an audio system with AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth, CD and USB functionality, one adjustable cloth seat and a rear-view camera. The cargo space is said to match that of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe at 285 dm3.
Powering this little EV’s single rear wheel will be an AC synchronous electric motor drawing energy from a 8,64 kW/h lithium ion battery (with a 110 V charging time of six hours). This system delivers 61 kW and 190 N.m, giving it a power-to-weight ratio of 136 kW/ton and a 0-100 km/h time of 8,0 seconds and a top speed of 130 km/h. In terms of range, the claimed figure for the Solo is 160 km, which is just about what you would get from the all-electric BMW i3.
The Solo is still in the development stages despite having a suggested 20 000 refundable deposits in place. As a result, none of the aforementioned stats are a certainty should this R235 000 EV make it to the road. The official model will debut this weekend.
