Electra Meccanica has kicked production of its US$15,000 electric three-wheeler into high gear. The first of the fully-enclosed Solo cars has rolled off the line at a new production facility that's gearing up to build 75,000 of these quirky getabouts in the next three years.

The Solo has a set of specs that make it pretty attractive as an urban vehicle. With a curb weight of just 1,488 lb (675 kg) it rocks a little 82-hp (61-kW) electric motor that drives the rear wheel with enough power for a 82-mph (1320km/h) top speed. The 17.3 kWh battery on board will take you up to 100 miles (161 km) on a charge, and charge back up overnight in six hours on a regular 110-volt wall socket.

There's quick charging too, using a J1772 connector, plus you get keyless entry, a Bluetooth stereo, reversing camera, 285 liters of storage space, heaters, air-con, a single heated seat, heated mirrors, windshield wipers and all sorts of things you wouldn't normally see on a trike.

100-mile range and an 82-mph top speed make it a terrific zippy lightweight commuter Electra Meccanica

With negligible fuel and servicing costs, and a sticker price of US$15,000, this little number ticks a lot of boxes for a lot of people interested in getting a cheap EV as a second car, or sole car for a low-footprint lifestyle.

And while some customers are already driving around in their Solo three-wheelers, now it's about to go into volume production. After signing a manufacturing deal with China's Zongshen Industrial Group, a huge volume motorcycle manufacturer, back in October last year, the Canadian company has just celebrated the delivery of the new factory's first unit, which arrived in Vancouver ready for consumer testing and approval on Wednesday.

The Canadian Electra Meccanica team celebrates the arrival of the first Solo EV to come off the production line Electra Meccanica

The factory is ready to start volume production in September, with the goal of pounding out 5,000 Solos in 12 months, followed by 20,000 solos in the following 12 months, then 50,000 in the third year.

So it's the real deal, and putting down a $250 deposit now will net you a wacky little three-wheel EV sooner rather than later.

Check out the video below showing one of these things spraying up some sand in the desert.

Source: Electra Meccanica