Electra Meccanica is making some substantial changes as part of its “Fresh Start” campaign, including ending production of its three-wheeled EV, the Solo.
In a blog post, Electra Meccanica CEO Susan E. Docherty announced significant changes for the company.
- Electra Meccanica will cease production of the Solo EV.
- The company will also conclude its contract manufacturing relationship with Zongshen Industrial Group. It will now shift its manufacturing facility operations to its Mesa facility.
- Subject to the outcome of a pending National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration investigation, the company plans to sell the remaining 800 Solo vehicles it has in stock. The investigation is around a voluntary recall for the Solo related to unplanned deacceleration.
- The company is shifting its focus to develop and manufacture a new four-wheeled EV called Project E4. The company has not made any other details available, including specs or pricing.
On the decision to end production of the Solo, Doherty noted challenges related to government rebates and difficulty faced by consumers in insuring, financing and servicing a three-wheeled vehicle.
Beyond that, Doherty noted:
Beyond the technical issues associated with the recall notice, these barriers and others to broad consumer acceptance of three-wheeled EVs make it impossible for us to profitably manufacture and sell that version of the SOLO.
For the once Vancouver-based company, Project E4 may be the make or break for Electra Meccanica.
