Sondors' Three-Wheeled Electric Prototype Surfaces on eBay

A three-wheeled electric vehicle prototype from SONDORS has appeared on eBay, marking one of the last chances to examine a car that was never sold to the public. The asking price is $10,000, a figure that mirrors the original target price for a production model that ultimately failed to materialize. This listing offers a tangible piece of history from the electric vehicle startup's ambitious period before it pivoted entirely to two-wheeled transportation.

The vehicle in question is an autocycle with a unique seating layout, featuring two passengers in the front and a third seat positioned centrally behind them. It was first revealed at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show, where it was presented as a potential low-cost alternative to conventional cars. However, the prototype was strictly limited to low speeds during its debut, as the company prioritized protecting the unfinished engineering components.

Promises of a Budget EV

SONDORS had built a reputation for affordable electric bicycles and sought to apply that same value proposition to a four-wheel-equivalent vehicle. The company claimed the production version would offer battery options with ranges between 75 and 200 miles, along with acceleration times that rivaled more expensive sports cars. Reservations were even accepted in early 2018, with production targeted for the following year.

Those production targets were never met. The brand eventually shifted its focus to electric motorcycles, a move that contributed to its later financial difficulties and eventual bankruptcy. The car prototype remained a curiosity, never transitioning from a showroom prop to a street-legal product. This leaves the surviving example as a rare artifact of a specific era in EV development.

Significant Caveats for Buyers

Potential buyers should approach this purchase with significant caution. The seller lists the mileage as one mile and describes the vehicle as being sold strictly as-is with a bill of sale. The car currently does not run and requires cosmetic work, meaning the buyer assumes all risk regarding its mechanical state. There is no guarantee that minor repairs will restore functionality.

Furthermore, the vehicle is not street legal. It is classified as a concept car, which means it cannot be registered for public road use. The seller claims it is the only unit built and cites over $1.5 million in development costs, a figure supported by contemporary reports describing it as a million-dollar prototype. However, without official documentation, verifying its exact provenance is difficult.

A Curious Piece of History

Despite its flaws, the vehicle represents a fascinating moment in the attempt to democratize electric transportation. SONDORS' failure to deliver on its automotive promise highlights the risks faced by startups trying to disrupt established industries with unproven technology. For collectors of EV history, this prototype stands as a physical reminder of what was promised but never delivered.

As noted by GN auto tech/ev: electric vehicle, such prototypes often serve as the most honest record of a company's ambitions. They reveal the gap between marketing materials and engineering reality. While it may never serve as a daily driver, its existence offers a unique insight into the early challenges of the electric vehicle market.