An unusual relic from the early push for cheap electric vehicles has resurfaced online. Sondors' three-wheeled EV prototype is listed on eBay for $10,000, matching the price the company once said the production version would start at.
As Electrek reported, the listing revives Sondors' shelved effort to carry its momentum producing low-cost e-bikes into success with an inexpensive electric autocycle.
Here's what to know
The eBay vehicle is the three-wheeled, three-seat electric autocycle Sondors first showed at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show.
Sondors said the production version would start at $10,000, with battery choices rated for 75, 150, or 200 miles of range. Depending on the setup, the company also estimated the vehicle could go from 0 to 60 mph in five to eight seconds.
After seeing the prototype at the 2017 show, Electrek writer Jameson Dow noted that "while the final product is intended to be highway-capable, the prototype is currently limited to low speeds because, well, they don't want to break anything on it."
Reservations opened in early 2018 with $100 deposits, and Sondors aimed for production in 2019, but the vehicle never reached customers.
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The eBay listing says the prototype has just 1 mile on it. However, there are major caveats. The vehicle isn't currently running, needs cosmetic work, and is being sold as-is with only a bill of sale.
The seller says the concept is not street legal and suggests it may take only limited work to get it running again. The listing also claims more than $1.5 million was invested in the build.
More background
At the time, Sondors pitched the vehicle as a highway-capable EV priced far lower than most conventional electric cars.
The prototype appears to have been expensive to develop. Engadget drove it in 2018 and described it as a "$1 million prototype." Even so, questions remain about the eBay car's history, including cosmetic differences from the maroon version that was more commonly shown to the public.
Most people will never come across a defunct EV prototype, but thrifting and buying used can help people save money on everyday essentials while occasionally turning up rare or valuable items at steep discounts.
Keeping products in circulation can also reduce waste and extend the life of goods that might otherwise be thrown away.
What can be done?
A thrifted lamp or jacket carries far less risk than a non-running concept vehicle with no title and uncertain repair needs.
Buying secondhand is often one of the simplest ways to cut costs. Thrift stores, resale platforms, and local reuse markets can help households save on clothes, furniture, kitchenware, and other basics, while sometimes turning up unusual collectibles or premium goods for far less than retail. Check out the TCD Guide's page on shopping at thrift stores if you're interested in practical ways to save money and keep usable items out of the waste stream.
When the stakes are higher, it pays to verify the vehicle's ownership paperwork, legal status, independent reviews, and actual working condition before handing over money.
Where can I learn more?
These articles look at used-EV prices, sales trends, affordable models, and unusual electric vehicle designs.
• Across the used-car market, EV values changed faster than diesel and gas models.
• Cox Automotive data showed used-EV sales climbed sharply as shoppers sought lower prices.
• Across the EV industry, new models and policy changes kept hybrid and electric news moving.
• A U.K. startup unveiled an electric van made from recycled aluminum that is built for longevity.
• AC Cars revived a classic roadster as an electric model with eye-catching styling.
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