AN EV technologist has revealed his thoughts behind a pile of defunct cars that drivers recently paid more than $18,000 to buy.
An Arizona junkyard now contains a pile of decomposing EVs in various states of disrepair — the battery engineer said more testing could have helped.
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Instagrammer Nicholas Bauer (@startupslick) posted a video revealing an accumulation of ElectraMeccanica Solos.
Bauer, who said he is a former automotive engineer who worked on battery technology for truck manufacturers, posted after finding the backlog of cars in Gilbert, Arizona.
“I could see them over the fence,” he told The US Sun.
“I made a video showing my theories about why the vehicles were being destroyed, and that video went viral.”
SOIL EDUCATION
ElectraMeccanica sold dozens of single-seat electric vehicles for about $18,000. The company introduced the tiny cars as daily drivers, perfect for any urban commute.
Engineers gave the car a unique shape. At the front, the car featured a normal-looking hood and two headlights.
The car had two doors in the middle, which allowed drivers to access the single seat from both sides.
But the vehicle’s design diverged from everything else on the road near the rear.
Designers slimmed down the vehicle at the rear, ensuring it took up only enough space to accommodate a seat and some standard driver amenities.
Only one wheel supported the weight of the vehicle at the rear. All solos used three wheels overall.
“I think the design is practical and more efficient for urban commuting as a single-occupant three-wheeler,” Bauer told The US Sun.
“Three-quarters of Americans drive alone to work.”
THEN, A SOLO FALL
Despite the enthusiasm behind the company’s unique product, ElectraMeccanica recalled most of its products in 2023.
The recall has effectively killed the brand ever since.
Electric vs gas vehicles
Pros and cons of electric vehicles versus gasoline-powered vehicles
EV PROS:
- Convenient (when charging at home)
- Cheapest (depending on the state or city)
- Cheaper maintenance due to lack of mechanical parts
- Great for commuting
- Reduced CO2 emissions
- Federal and state tax incentives
- More performance (speed, handling – depending on make and model)
EV CONS:
- Higher initial cost
- Higher Insurance Rates
- More frequent tire and brake replacement intervals
- Higher tare weight (thus causing faster wear on crucial parts)
- Low resale value
- High depreciation rates
- Lack of charging infrastructure
- Unreliable public loading (related: slow loading times)
- Poor performance in winter and summer
- Lack of clean energy alternatives means more “dirty energy” from coal and nuclear sources
- Range anxiety
PROS OF GAS:
- Highly developed refueling infrastructure
- Fast replenishment
- Cheapest insurance rates depending on make, model and configuration
- Established repair industry
- Lower initial cost
- Greater range before refueling, especially with hybrids
- Many manufacturers produce engines with almost fewer emissions
- Cheaper refueling depending on location
CONS OF GAS:
- Finite resource (related: heavy dependence on oil)
- Carbon emissions/greenhouse gases
- Higher repair costs
- Higher insurance rates depending on make, model and configuration
- Varying costs at the pump depending on state, city and county
Source: Driver, Perch Energy, Automatic Week
The company said the vehicles were losing power from the proprietary battery. Proper maintenance was too expensive for the fledgling company.
So ElectraMeccanica bought back vehicles built between 2018 and 2023 and sent them to a scrapyard near its final production center in Mesa, Arizona.
Bauer felt that fan-favorite cars could have lasted longer on the market if the company devoted more time to its research and development projects.
He also wondered if the American buyer was ready for a unique approach to transportation.
“I believe the idea of a single-seat, three-wheel vehicle will put off many potential U.S. buyers, as it is small in U.S. traffic and U.S. drivers prefer larger vehicles,” he said.
“On my opinion, the Solo was rushed into production. It was not properly validated and tested before launch, and that is what led to its recall, destruction and failure of the company.”
In March 2024, Xos Inc.., maker of electric trucks, bought ElectraMeccanica for US$48 million, according to Yahoo Finance.
The CEO of Xos Inc. said the newly acquired factories would allow the truck maker to build more products.
Xos is coming off a quarter in which it set new records for electric trucks produced.
Bauer said he worked for Xos before becoming a social media influencer.
TODAY’S EV MARKET
Several EV-only brands are working through their development phases, but glimmers of hope are interspersed with manufacturers’ declines in the sector.
Tesla, the biggest name in the vehicle market, has reported two consecutive quarters of disappointing sales numbers.
However, the company is likely buoyed by its initial investment in charging infrastructure and enthusiasm for its autonomous driving technology.
The company’s CEO Elon Musk said it will soon launch its Robotaxi vehicle and program.
He also said the company’s Supercharger network, the largest vehicle charging network in the U.S., anticipates an influx of money after more cars get adapters to connect to the network.
Meanwhile, Rivian and Lucid announced sales numbers above Wall Street expectations.
Companies have huge investments of billions of dollars from rich giants. Rivian secured investments from Volkswagen and Amazon while Lucid benefits in cash through the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.
Some companies without large investments have been fighting.
In June, Fisker, an electric vehicle startup with an SUV that thrilled many passionate fans, declared bankruptcy.
Still, EV sales are gaining more momentum.
Several giant manufacturers such as Honda, GM, Ford, Hyundai and Kia have launched well-received products that have recently achieved more sales records.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
