A unique piece of electric vehicle history has recently surfaced on eBay: the early prototype of SONDORS' unreleased three-wheeled electric car. This vehicle represents an intriguing fragment from a period when SONDORS aimed to replicate its success in affordable electric bicycles within the electric car market. Originally showcased at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, the car was promoted as an innovative, budget-friendly EV, although it never advanced beyond the prototype stage. The current eBay listing, offering the vehicle for $10,000, coincidentally matches the original projected retail price, bringing an unexpected full circle to its story.
This article delves into the unexpected reappearance of SONDORS' ambitious three-wheeled electric car prototype on eBay. It explores the vehicle's initial unveiling, its unfulfilled production promises, and the current state of the prototype as it seeks a new owner. The listing not only sheds light on a 'vaporware' chapter in EV development but also raises questions about its true value and historical significance.
The Brief, Ambitious Journey of SONDORS' Three-Wheeler
In 2017, SONDORS, riding high on the popularity of its cost-effective electric bicycles, unveiled a bold vision: a three-wheeled electric autocycle with a starting price of just $10,000. This innovative vehicle, designed to seat two passengers in the front and one in the rear, promised impressive performance metrics, including various battery options offering ranges from 75 to 200 miles and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 5-8 seconds. The company's aspiration was to disrupt the electric car market by offering an ultra-affordable option, and it even began accepting $100 reservations in early 2018, targeting a 2019 production start. However, despite the initial fanfare and ambitious plans, the project ultimately failed to transition from prototype to mass production, leaving behind only a handful of conceptual vehicles.
The three-wheeled electric car was presented as a game-changer, drawing considerable attention for its unconventional design and aggressive pricing strategy. Early reports from the Los Angeles Auto Show highlighted its potential, though also noting the prototype's limitations, such as being restricted to low speeds. SONDORS' strategy mirrored its success in the e-bike sector, aiming to make electric mobility accessible to a broader audience. The substantial investment, estimated to be over $1.5 million by some accounts, underscores the seriousness with which SONDORS pursued this venture. Yet, the challenges of scaling production and navigating the complexities of the automotive industry proved insurmountable, leading to the project's quiet discontinuation and solidifying its status as a notable 'what if' in the evolution of electric vehicles.
The Prototype's Unexpected Re-emergence and Its Historical Significance
The recent appearance of this elusive SONDORS prototype on eBay offers enthusiasts and collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a tangible piece of unfulfilled automotive history. Listed for $10,000, the same price SONDORS had envisioned for the production model, the vehicle's condition is described as non-operational, requiring cosmetic work, and sold strictly as-is. Despite these caveats, the seller asserts that all components appear to be present, suggesting it might only need minimal effort to become functional again. However, the listing explicitly states that the vehicle is not street legal, confirming its status as a concept car rather than a road-ready automobile. This re-emergence not only highlights the ambitious dreams that once surrounded the project but also underscores the significant hurdles faced by startups in the competitive electric vehicle landscape.
While the exact origins of this particular prototype, including potential color changes or design modifications over time, remain somewhat ambiguous, its listing sparks curiosity about its journey since SONDORS' shift away from electric cars. For a brief period, SONDORS truly believed it could introduce a stylish, highway-capable electric vehicle to the American market at an unprecedented price point. The ultimate failure of this dream, followed by the company's later struggles with its electric motorcycle venture and eventual bankruptcy, casts a nostalgic shadow over this prototype. Nevertheless, its availability on eBay offers a unique insight into the ambitious yet often challenging world of electric vehicle innovation, making it a fascinating artifact for anyone interested in the road not taken in automotive development.