Production of ElectraMeccanica’s (EM) Solo three-wheel electric vehicle dipped in the third quarter because of pandemic-related “aftershocks,” the company said in its third-quarter report.
EM produced 103 of the single-seat commuter EVs, compared with 193 in the second quarter, and a total of 575 since production began in the third quarter of 2021.
“From a production perspective, we were adversely impacted by the application of zero-COVID policies to our manufacturing and component supply partners in China, as pandemic aftershocks continue to challenge our supply chain,” the company said Nov. 14.
Deliveries also dropped slightly to 64 from 68 the previous quarter. The Solo is built in China, but EM plans to move production to a Mesa, Ariz., facility under construction.
The Vancouver-based company reported revenue of US $1.44 million — compared with $1.55 million in Q2 — but that’s up almost 12 times from a year ago. EM’s net loss grew to $21.5 million, compared with $12.8 million in Q3 2021. — Steve Mertl
CANADIAN CHARGING COMPANY IS OFF TO MARKET
Vancouver-based Hypercharge Networks Corp. has listed its shares on the seven-year-old NEO Exchange, saying it’s the first Canadianfounded electric vehicle charging company to go public. Hypercharge (listed as HC) said it offers turnkey, smart EV charging for a range of customers, including multi-unit residential, commercial/retail and fleet operators. Company President David Bibby said Nov. 18 that developing charging infrastructure is crucial to support the growth of EV adoption.
The NEO Exchange bills itself as “Canada’s Tier 1 stock exchange for the innovation economy, bringing together investors and capital raisers within a fair, liquid, efficient, and service-oriented environment.” — Steve Mertl
EV INTEREST FUELED BY PRICE SHOCK AT THE PUMPS
TORONTO — BMW polled Canadians on their thoughts about electric vehicles, and it appears that high fuel prices are pushing more people to consider electric vehicles.
According to the survey of 1,200 Canadians from every province, 79 per cent are concerned with the operating costs of internal combustion vehicles, and 25 per cent are considering buying an EV in the next two years. The survey, released Oct. 19, noted that fuel prices soared across the country this year, peaking in June above $2 per litre.
For demographics, 66 per cent of men consider themselves the primary vehicle-buying decision-maker, compared with 47 per cent of women; 79 per cent of women say helping the environment is an important factor in buying an EV. Men are seven per cent more willing than women to pay extra for an EV. — Kelly Taylor