Unbelievable: EV ‘Graveyard’ Full of $18k Cars Abandoned to Rot!

In a dusty junkyard just outside Phoenix, Arizona, a peculiar scene has emerged. Rows upon rows of three-wheeled electric vehicles, once the pride of city-dwellers, now sit abandoned and decaying under the relentless desert sun. These defunct EVs, once touted as the future of urban transport, have met an untimely demise, leaving many to question the sustainability and longevity of electric vehicle technology.

The vehicles in question are ElectraMeccanica Solos, single-passenger electric cars designed for navigating busy city streets with ease. With their narrow frames and unique three-wheel design, Solos were a distinctive choice for those looking to embrace the electric revolution. Priced at $18,000, they represented an affordable entry point into the world of electric vehicles. However, what was once seen as an innovative solution for urban transport has now become a symbol of broken promises and unfulfilled potential.

In a video shared on Instagram by the user @startupslick, the true extent of this EV graveyard is revealed. The footage shows dozens of overturned Solos, piled high in a junkyard, left to deteriorate. The sight of these abandoned vehicles has sparked outrage and disappointment among viewers. One commenter asked, “They can’t recycle the parts?” while another questioned, “Why not strip the working part for other use? Seems like a ridiculous waste.”

The story of the ElectraMeccanica Solo is one of ambition and setbacks. Production of the Solo began in 2016, with the vehicle quickly gaining attention for its compact design and environmentally friendly appeal. The company behind the Solo, ElectraMeccanica, moved production to various locations over the years, eventually settling in Mesa, Arizona. However, as the company expanded, so did its problems. A defect in the vehicles, discovered in 2023, led to a significant safety concern: the cars could lose propulsion without warning. This defect was severe enough that ElectraMeccanica’s parent company decided it was more cost-effective to buy back the vehicles than attempt costly repairs.

In a move that many saw as the final nail in the coffin for the Solo, ElectraMeccanica issued a buyback program for all cars built between 2021 and 2023. Customers who had invested in these vehicles were offered a refund, and the cars were scrapped. The sight of these once-promising vehicles now reduced to junk has reignited conversations about the challenges facing the electric vehicle industry.

“Their decision to scrap the vehicles instead of fixing them is a stark reminder of the production issues that plagued the Solo,” commented one observer. Despite the challenges, some individuals still hold a soft spot for the vehicle. “These were awesome; I wanted one,” another commenter added, expressing a sentiment shared by many who saw potential in the Solo.

In March 2024, the Solo brand was sold to Xos Inc., a manufacturer of electric trucks, for $48 million. The acquisition was seen as a strategic move by Xos to diversify its offerings and expand into the electric vehicle market. Xos hopes to leverage the technology behind the Solo to build more electric commercial trucks, a sector that continues to see growing demand.

The discovery of these Solos in an Arizona junkyard is more than just a tale of abandoned vehicles. It serves as a cautionary tale about the electric vehicle industry’s growing pains and the challenges of bringing new technology to market. As the debate over the future of transportation continues, the sight of these decaying vehicles is a sobering reminder of the hurdles that must be overcome.

As the conversation around electric vehicles evolves, the fate of the ElectraMeccanica Solo will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion. The abandoned EVs in that Arizona junkyard may serve as a stark symbol of the industry’s potential pitfalls, but they also highlight the resilience needed to drive innovation forward.

In the end, the story of the Solo is not just about a failed product; it’s about the journey of an industry still finding its way. As electric vehicles continue to evolve, the lessons learned from the Solo’s rise and fall will be crucial in shaping the future of sustainable transportation.