CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contain statements that constitute
“forward-looking statements”. Any statements that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking
statements. These statements appear in a number of different places and, in some cases, can be identified by words such as “anticipates”,
“estimates”, “projects”, “expects”, “contemplates”, “intends”, “believes”,
“plans”, “may”, “will”, or their negatives or other comparable words, although not all forward-looking
statements contain these identifying words. Such forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements and/or information
related to: strategy, future operations, the size and value of the order book and the number of orders, the number and timing of building
pre-mass production vehicles, the projection of timing and delivery of SOLOs or Tofinos in the future, projected costs, expected production
capacity, expectations regarding demand and acceptance of our products, estimated costs of machinery to equip a new production facility,
and trends in the market in which we operate, plans and objectives of management.
Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable
assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions made in light of our experience and our perception of trends, current conditions and expected
developments, as well as other factors that we believe to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements
are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumption and expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: our ability to build pre-mass production vehicles
and to begin production deliveries within certain timelines; our expected production capacity; prices for machinery to equip a new production
facility, labor costs and material costs, remaining consistent with our current expectations; production of SOLOs and Tofinos meeting
expectations and being consistent with estimates; equipment operating as anticipated; there being no material variations in the current
regulatory environment; and our ability to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the
foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used.
The forward-looking statements are subject to
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include but are not limited to:
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general economic and business conditions, including changes in interest rates;
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prices of other electric vehicles, costs associated with manufacturing electric vehicles and other economic conditions;
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natural phenomena including the current COVID-19 pandemic;
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actions by government authorities, including changes in government regulation;
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uncertainties associated with legal proceedings;
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changes in the electric vehicle market;
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future decisions by management in response to changing conditions;
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our ability to execute prospective business plans;
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misjudgments in the course of preparing forward-looking statements;
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our ability to raise sufficient funds to carry out our proposed business plan;
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consumers’ willingness to adopt three-wheeled single seat electric vehicles;
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declines in the range of our electric vehicles on a single charge over time may negatively influence potential customers’ decisions to purchase such vehicles;
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developments in alternative technologies or improvements in the internal combustion engine;
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inability to keep up with advances in electric vehicle technology;
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inability to design, develop, market and sell new electric vehicles and services that address additional market opportunities;
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dependency on certain key personnel and any inability to retain and attract qualified personnel;
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inexperience in mass-producing electric vehicles;
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inability to reduce and adequately control operating costs;
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failure of our vehicles to perform as expected;
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inexperience in servicing electric vehicles;
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inability to succeed in establishing, maintaining and strengthening the Electrameccanica brand;
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disruption of supply or shortage of raw materials;
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the unavailability, reduction or elimination of government and economic incentives;
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failure to manage future growth effectively; and
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labor and employment risks.
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Although management has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be
other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements might not prove to be accurate,
as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We wish to advise you that these cautionary remarks expressly qualify,
in their entirety, all forward-looking statements attributable to our company or persons acting on our company’s behalf. We do not
undertake to update any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting
such statements, except as, and to the extent required by, applicable securities laws. You should carefully review the cautionary statements
and risk factors contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and other documents that we may file from time
to time with the securities regulators.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in our securities carries
a significant degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained in this prospectus
and the documents incorporated therein by reference, including our historical and pro forma financial statements and related notes, before
you decide to purchase the common shares. Any one of these risks and uncertainties has the potential to cause material adverse effects
on our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results which could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking
statements expressed by us and a significant decrease in the value of our common shares. Refer to “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements”.
We may not be successful in preventing the
material adverse effects that any of the following risks and uncertainties may cause. These potential risks and uncertainties may not
be a complete list of the risks and uncertainties facing us. There may be additional risks and uncertainties that we are presently unaware
of, or presently consider immaterial, that may become material in the future and have a material adverse effect on us. You could lose
all or a significant portion of your investment due to any of these risks and uncertainties.
Risks Related to our Business and Industry
We have limited cash on hand and we will
require a significant amount of capital to carry out our proposed business plan to develop, manufacture, sell and service electric vehicles;
there is no assurance that any amount raised through this offering will be sufficient to continue to fund operations of our Company.
We incurred a net loss and comprehensive loss
of US$63,046,905 and US$58,832,999, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2020, and a net loss and comprehensive loss of US$23,212,698
and US$22,314,225, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2019. Although we had a cash and cash equivalents and a working capital
surplus of US$129,450,676 and US$130,755,823, respectively, as at December 31, 2020, and of US$8,560,624 and US$11,942,233, respectively,
at December 31, 2019, we believe that we will need significant additional equity financing to continue operations, among other things:
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we have begun the commercial production of our flagship vehicle, the SOLO, and we expect to incur significant ramp-up in costs and expenses through the launch of the vehicle;
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we anticipate that the gross profit generated from the sale of the SOLO will not be sufficient to cover our operating expenses, and our achieving profitability will depend, in part, on our ability to materially reduce the bill of materials and per unit manufacturing cost of our products; and
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we do not anticipate that we will be eligible to obtain bank loans, or other forms of debt financing on terms that would be acceptable to us.
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We anticipate generating a significant loss for
the next fiscal year.
We have minimal revenue and expect significant
increases in costs and expenses to forestall profits for the foreseeable future, even if we generate revenues in the near term. Even though
we have recently launched the SOLO into commercial production, and even if we launch the Tofino or other intended electric vehicles (“EV”s),
they might not become commercially successful. If we are to ever achieve profitability, we must have a successful commercial introduction
and acceptance of our vehicles, which may not occur. We expect that our operating losses will increase substantially in 2021, and thereafter,
and we also expect to continue to incur operating losses and to experience negative cash flows for the next several years.
We have a limited operating history and
have generated minimal revenues.
Our limited operating history makes evaluating
our business and future prospects difficult. We were formed in February 2015, and we have begun production but not the commercial delivery
of our first electric vehicle. To date we have no revenues from the sale of electric vehicles as any amounts received from the sale of
our pre-production electric vehicles were netted off against research and development costs as cost recovery and have had minimal revenue
from the sale of non-electric custom cars. We intend to derive revenues from the sales of our SOLO vehicle, our Tofino vehicle and other
intended EVs. The Tofino is still in the early design development stage, and the first commercially-produced SOLOs are targeted to be
delivered to our customers sometime in 2021. Our vehicles require significant investment prior to commercial introduction and may never
be successfully developed or commercially successful.
We have a history of operating losses and
we expect our operating losses to accelerate and materially increase for the foreseeable future.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, we
generated a net loss of US$63,046,905, bringing our accumulated deficit to US$110,327,159.
We have minimal revenue and expect
significant increases in costs and expenses to forestall profits for the foreseeable future, even if we generate revenues in the
near term. We have begun the commercial production but not yet the delivery of our flagship vehicle, the SOLO, and we expect to
incur significant additional costs and expenses through the launch of the vehicle. Even with the launch of the SOLO into commercial
production, and even if we are able to launch the Tofino or other intended EVs, they might not become commercially successful. If we
are to ever achieve profitability, we must have a successful commercial introduction and acceptance of our vehicles, which may not
occur. We expect that our operating losses will increase substantially in 2021 and thereafter, and we also expect to continue to
incur operating losses and to experience negative cash flows for the next several years.
We expect the rate at which we will incur losses
to increase significantly in future periods from current levels as we:
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design, develop and manufacture our vehicles and their components;
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develop and equip our manufacturing facility;
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build up inventories of parts and components for the SOLO, the Tofino and other intended EVs;
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open Electrameccanica stores;
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expand our design, development, maintenance and repair capabilities;
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develop and increase our sales and marketing activities; and
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develop and increase our general and administrative functions to support our growing operations.
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Because we will incur the costs and expenses from
these efforts before we receive any revenues with respect thereto, our losses in future periods will be significantly greater than the
losses we would incur if we developed the business more slowly. In addition, we may find that these efforts are more expensive than we
currently anticipate or that these efforts may not result in profits or even revenues, which would further increase our losses.
Our ability to achieve profitability will
depend, in part, on our ability to materially reduce the bill of materials and per unit manufacturing cost of our products.
We anticipate that the gross profit generated
from the sale of the SOLO will not be sufficient to cover our operating expenses for the foreseeable future. To achieve our operating
and strategic goals while remaining competitive, we will, among other things, need to reduce the bill of materials and the per-unit manufacturing
cost of the SOLO. We expect the primary factors to contribute to a reduced bill of materials and per unit manufacturing cost to include:
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continued product development to make the SOLO easier and cheaper to mass produce commercially;
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our ability to utilize less expensive suppliers and components that meet the requirements for the SOLO;
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increasing the volume of components that we purchase in order to take advantage of volume-based pricing discounts;
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improving assembly efficiency;
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enhancing the automation of our strategic manufacturing partner’s facility to increase volume and reduce labour costs; and
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increasing our volume to leverage manufacturing overhead costs.
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Continued product development is subject to feasibility
and engineering risks. Any increase in manufacturing volumes is dependent upon a corresponding increase in sales. The occurrence of one
or more factors that negatively impact the manufacturing or sales of the SOLO, or reduce our manufacturing efficiency, may prevent us
from achieving our desired reduction in manufacturing costs, which would negatively affect our operating results and may prevent us from
attaining profitability.
We currently have negative operating cash
flows, and if we are unable to generate positive operating cash flows in the future our viability as an operating business will be adversely
affected.
We have made significant up-front investments
in research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative expenses to rapidly develop and expand our business. We
are currently incurring expenditures related to our operations that have generated a negative operating cash flow. Operating cash flow
may decline in certain circumstances, many of which are beyond our control. We might not generate sufficient revenues in the near future.
Because we continue to incur such significant future expenditures for research and development, sales and marketing and general and administrative
expenses, we may continue to experience negative cash flow until we reach a sufficient level of sales with positive gross margins to cover
operating expenses. An inability to generate positive cash flow until we reach a sufficient level of sales with positive gross margins
to cover operating expenses or raise additional capital on reasonable terms will adversely affect our viability as an operating business.
We may require additional capital to carry
out our proposed business plan for the next 12 months if our cash on hand and revenues from the sale of our cars are not sufficient to
cover our cash requirements.
If our cash on hand, revenue from the sale of
our cars, if any, and cash received upon the exercise of outstanding warrants, if any are exercised, are not sufficient to cover our cash
requirements, we will need to raise additional funds through the sale of our equity securities, in either private placements or registered
offerings and/or shareholder loans. If we are unsuccessful in raising enough funds through such capital-raising efforts we may review
other financing possibilities such as bank loans. Financing might not be available to us or, if available, may not be available on terms
that are acceptable to us.
Our ability to obtain the necessary financing
to carry out our business plan is subject to a number of factors, including general market conditions and investor acceptance of our business
plan. These factors may make the timing, amount, terms and conditions of such financing unattractive or unavailable to us. If we are unable
to raise sufficient funds, we will have to significantly reduce our spending, delay or cancel our planned activities or substantially
change our current corporate structure. We might not be able to obtain any funding, and we might not have sufficient resources to conduct
our business as projected, both of which could mean that we would be forced to curtail or discontinue our operations.
Terms of future financings may adversely
impact your investment.
We may have to engage in common equity, debt or
preferred stock financing in the future. Your rights and the value of your investment in our securities could be reduced. Interest on
debt securities could increase costs and negatively impacts operating results. Preferred stock could be issued in series from time to
time with such designation, rights, preferences and limitations as needed to raise capital. The terms of preferred stock could be more
advantageous to those investors than to the holders of common shares. In addition, if we need to raise equity capital from the sale of
common shares, institutional or other investors may negotiate terms at least as, and possibly more, favorable than the terms of your investment.
Common shares which we sell could be sold into any market which develops, which could adversely affect the market price.
Our future growth depends upon consumers’
willingness to adopt three-wheeled single-seat electric vehicles.
Our growth highly depends upon the adoption by
consumers of, and we are subject to an elevated risk of, any reduced demand for alternative fuel vehicles in general and electric vehicles
in particular. If the market for three-wheeled single seat electric vehicles does not develop as we expect, or develops more slowly than
we expect, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results will be negatively impacted. The market for alternative
fuel vehicles is relatively new, rapidly evolving, characterized by rapidly changing technologies, price competition, additional competitors,
evolving government regulation and industry standards, frequent new vehicle announcements and changing consumer demands and behaviors.
Factors that may influence the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles, and specifically electric vehicles, include:
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perceptions about electric vehicle quality, safety (in particular with respect to lithium-ion battery packs), design, performance and cost, especially if adverse events or accidents occur that are linked to the quality or safety of electric vehicles;
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perceptions about vehicle safety in general and, in particular, safety issues that may be attributed to the use of advanced technology, including vehicle electronics and braking systems;
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the limited range over which electric vehicles may be driven on a single battery charge;
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the decline of an electric vehicle’s range resulting from deterioration over time in the battery’s ability to hold a charge;
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concerns about electric grid capacity and reliability, which could derail our efforts to promote electric vehicles as a practical solution to vehicles which require gasoline;
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the availability of alternative fuel vehicles, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles;
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improvements in the fuel economy of the internal combustion engine;
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the availability of service for electric vehicles;
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the environmental consciousness of consumers;
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volatility in the cost of oil and gasoline;
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government regulations and economic incentives promoting fuel efficiency and alternate forms of energy;
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access to charging stations, standardization of electric vehicle charging systems and consumers’ perceptions about convenience and cost to charge an electric vehicle;
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the availability of tax and other governmental incentives to purchase and operate electric vehicles or future regulation requiring increased use of nonpolluting vehicles; and
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perceptions about and the actual cost of alternative fuel.
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The influence of any of the factors described
above may cause current or potential customers not to purchase our electric vehicles, which would materially adversely affect our business,
operating results, financial condition and prospects.
The range of our electric vehicles on a
single charge declines over time which may negatively influence potential customers’ decisions whether to purchase our vehicles.
The range of our electric vehicles on a single
charge declines principally as a function of usage, time and charging patterns. For example, a customer’s use of their vehicle as
well as the frequency with which they charge the battery of their vehicle can result in additional deterioration of the battery’s
ability to hold a charge. We currently expect that our battery pack will retain approximately 85% of its ability to hold its initial charge
after approximately 3,000 charge cycles and eight years, which will result in a decrease to the vehicle’s initial range. Such battery
deterioration and the related decrease in range may negatively influence potential customer decisions whether to purchase our vehicles,
which may harm our ability to market and sell our vehicles.
Developments in alternative technologies
or improvements in the internal combustion engine may materially adversely affect the demand for our electric vehicles.
Significant developments in alternative
technologies, such as advanced diesel, ethanol, fuel cells or compressed natural gas, or improvements in the fuel economy of the
internal combustion engine, may materially and adversely affect our business and prospects in ways we do not currently anticipate.
For example, fuel which is abundant and relatively inexpensive in North America, such as compressed natural gas, may emerge as
consumers’ preferred alternative to petroleum-based propulsion. Any failure by us to develop new or enhanced technologies or
processes, or to react to changes in existing technologies, could materially delay our development and introduction of new and
enhanced electric vehicles, which could result in the loss of competitiveness of our vehicles, decreased revenue and a loss of
market share to competitors.
If we are unable to keep up with advances
in electric vehicle technology, we may suffer a decline in our competitive position.
We may be unable to keep up with changes in electric
vehicle technology and, as a result, may suffer a decline in our competitive position. Any failure to keep up with advances in electric
vehicle technology would result in a decline in our competitive position which would materially and adversely affect our business, prospects,
operating results and financial condition. Our research and development efforts may not be sufficient to adapt to changes in electric
vehicle technology. As technologies change, we plan to upgrade or adapt our vehicles and introduce new models to continue to provide vehicles
with the latest technology, in particular battery cell technology. However, our vehicles may not compete effectively with alternative
vehicles if we are not able to source and integrate the latest technology into our vehicles. For example, we do not manufacture battery
cells which makes us depend upon other suppliers of battery cell technology for our battery packs.
If we are unable to design, develop, market
and sell new electric vehicles and services that address additional market opportunities, our business, prospects and operating results
will suffer.
We may not be able to successfully develop new
electric vehicles and services, address new market segments or develop a significantly broader customer base. To date, we have focused
our business on the sale of the SOLO, a three-wheeled single seat electric vehicle, and have targeted mainly urban residents of modest
means and fleets. We will need to address additional markets and expand our customer demographic to further grow our business. Our failure
to address additional market opportunities would harm our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects.
Demand in the vehicle industry is highly
volatile.
Volatility of demand in the vehicle industry may
materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. The markets in which we will be competing
have been subject to considerable volatility in demand in recent periods. Demand for automobile sales depends to a large extent on general,
economic, political and social conditions in a given market and the introduction of new vehicles and technologies. As a new start-up manufacturer,
we will have fewer financial resources than more established vehicle manufacturers to withstand changes in the market and disruptions
in demand.
We depend on a third-party for our near-term
manufacturing needs.
In October 2017, we entered into a Manufacturing
Agreement with Zongshen, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zongshen Industrial Group Co., Ltd., an affiliate of Zongshen Power Machinery Co.,
Ltd., a large-scale scientific and technical enterprise which designs, develops, manufactures and sells a diverse range of motorcycles
and motorcycle engines in China, located in Chongqing, China. The delivery of SOLO vehicles to our future customers and the revenue derived
therefrom depends on Zongshen’s ability to fulfil its obligations under the Manufacturing Agreement. Zongshen’s ability to
fulfil its obligations is outside of our control and depends on a variety of factors, including Zongshen’s operations, Zongshen’s
financial condition and geopolitical and economic risks that could affect China. Our Manufacturing Agreement with Zongshen provides that
non-performance by either us or Zongshen shall be excused to the extent that such performance is rendered impossible by strike, fire,
flood, earthquake or governmental acts, orders or restrictions; provided that either we or Zongshen, as applicable, use commercially reasonable
efforts to mitigate the impact of such non-performance. Notwithstanding any such efforts, any such non-performance by either us or Zongshen
shall be cause for termination of the Manufacturing Agreement by the other party if the non-performance continues for more than six months.
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic or measures taken by the Chinese government relating thereto may result in non-performance by
Zongshen under our Manufacturing Agreement. If Zongshen is unable to fulfil its obligations or is only able to partially fulfil its obligations
under our existing Manufacturing Agreement with them, or if Zongshen either voluntarily or is forced to terminate our Manufacturing Agreement
with them, either as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, the Chinese government’s measures relating thereto or otherwise, we will
not be able to produce or sell our SOLO vehicle in the volumes anticipated and on the timetable that we anticipate, if at all.
The impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic on the global economy and our operations remains uncertain, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, results
of operations and financial condition and on the market price of our common shares.
In December 2019, a strain of novel coronavirus
(now commonly known as COVID-19) was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China. COVID-19 has since spread rapidly throughout many countries,
and, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic. In an effort to contain and mitigate the spread
of COVID-19, many countries, including the United States, Canada and China, have imposed unprecedented restrictions on travel, and there
have been business closures and a substantial reduction in economic activity in countries that have had significant outbreaks of COVID-19.
Although our manufacturing partner, Zongshen, reports that its operations have not been materially affected at this point, significant
uncertainty remains as to the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our and Zongshen’s operations (including, without limitation,
staffing levels), supply chains for parts and sales channels for our products, and on the global economy as a whole. It is currently not
possible to predict how long the pandemic will last or the time that it will take for economic activity to return to prior levels. The
COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant financial market volatility and uncertainty in recent weeks. A continuation or worsening
of the levels of market disruption and volatility seen in the recent past could have an adverse effect on our ability to access capital,
on our business, results of operations and financial condition, and on the market price of our common shares.
We do not currently have all arrangements
in place that are required to allow us to fully execute our business plan.
To sell our vehicles as envisioned, we will need
to enter into certain additional agreements and arrangements that are not currently in place. These include entering into agreements with
distributors, arranging for the transportation of the mass-produced SOLOs to be delivered pursuant to our Manufacturing Agreement with
Zongshen, obtaining battery and other essential supplies in the quantities that we require. If we are unable to enter into such agreements,
or are only able to do so on terms that are unfavorable to us, we may not be able to fully carry out our business plans.
We depend on certain key personnel, and
our success will depend on our continued ability to retain and attract such qualified personnel.
Our success depends on the efforts, abilities
and continued service of Paul Rivera, our Chief Executive Officer, Bal Bhullar, our Chief Financial Officer, Henry Reisner, our President
and Chief Operating Officer, and Isaac Moss, our Chief Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary. A number of these key employees
and consultants have significant experience in the automobile manufacturing and technology industries. A loss of service from any one
of these individuals may adversely affect our operations, and we may have difficulty or may not be able to locate and hire suitable replacements.
We have obtained “key person” insurance on certain key personnel.
Since we have little experience in mass-producing
electric vehicles, any delays or difficulties in transitioning from producing custom vehicles to mass-producing vehicles may have a material
adverse effect on our business, prospects and operating results.
Our management team has experience in producing
custom designed vehicles and is now switching focus to mass producing electric vehicles in a rapidly evolving and competitive market.
If we are unable to implement our business plans in the timeframe estimated by management and successfully transition into a mass-producing
electric vehicle manufacturing business, then our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition will be negatively impacted
and our ability to grow our business will be harmed.
We are subject to numerous environmental
and health and safety laws and any breach of such laws may have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.
We are subject to numerous environmental and
health and safety laws, including statutes, regulations, bylaws and other legal requirements. These laws relate to the generation,
use, handling, storage, transportation and disposal of regulated substances, including hazardous substances (such as batteries),
dangerous goods and waste, emissions or discharges into soil, water and air, including noise and odors (which could result in
remediation obligations), and occupational health and safety matters, including indoor air quality. These legal requirements vary by
location and can arise under federal, provincial, state or municipal laws. Any breach of such laws and/or requirements would have a
material adverse effect on our Company and its operating results.
Our vehicles are subject to motor vehicle
standards and the failure to satisfy such mandated safety standards would have a material adverse effect on our business and operating
results.
All vehicles sold must comply with federal, state
and provincial motor vehicle safety standards. In both Canada and the United States vehicles that meet or exceed all federally mandated
safety standards are certified under the federal regulations. In this regard, Canadian and U.S. motor vehicle safety standards are substantially
the same. Rigorous testing and the use of approved materials and equipment are among the requirements for achieving federal certification.
Failure by us to have the SOLO, the Tofino or any future model EV satisfy motor vehicle standards would have a material adverse effect
on our business and operating results.
If we are unable to reduce and adequately
control the costs associated with operating our business, including our costs of manufacturing, sales and materials, our business, financial
condition, operating results and prospects will suffer.
If we are unable to reduce and/or maintain a sufficiently
low level of costs for designing, manufacturing, marketing, selling and distributing and servicing our electric vehicles relative to their
selling prices, our operating results, gross margins, business and prospects could be materially and adversely impacted.
If our vehicles fail to perform as expected,
our ability to develop, market and sell our electric vehicles could be harmed.
Our vehicles may contain defects in design and
manufacture that may cause them not to perform as expected or that may require repair. For example, our vehicles use a substantial amount
of software code to operate. Software products are inherently complex and often contain defects and errors when first introduced. While
we have performed extensive internal testing, we currently have a very limited frame of reference by which to evaluate the performance
of our SOLO in the hands of our customers and currently have no frame of reference by which to evaluate the performance of our vehicles
after several years of customer driving. With the Tofino we are still in early design development phase, whereby the similar evaluations
are further behind.
We have very limited experience servicing
our vehicles. If we are unable to address the service and warranty requirements of our future customers our business will be materially
and adversely affected.
If we are unable to successfully address the service
requirements of our future customers our business and prospects will be materially and adversely affected. In addition, we anticipate
the level and quality of the service we will provide our customers will have a direct impact on the success of our future vehicles. If
we are unable to satisfactorily service our customers, our ability to generate customer loyalty, grow our business and sell additional
vehicles could be impaired.
We have very limited experience servicing our
vehicles. We have begun production of the SOLO vehicles for targeted deliveries sometime in 2021. The total number of production SOLOs
that we have produced as at December 31, 2020 is 30. The total number of SOLOs that we have produced as pre-production as of December
31, 2020 is 124 (64 from Canada and 60 from Zongshen). Throughout its history, our subsidiary, Intermeccanica, has produced approximately
2,500 cars, which include providing after sales support and servicing. We only have limited experience servicing the SOLO as a limited
number of SOLOs have been produced. Servicing electric vehicles on a mass scale is different than servicing electric vehicles and vehicles
with internal combustion engines and requires specialized skills, including high voltage training and servicing techniques on a mass scale.
In addition, we presently expect that our warranty
covering the SOLO will cover 24 months, however, the final details on such coverage have not yet been completed. Furthermore, the SOLO
battery pack is potentially a two to five year warranty period, however, the final details on the exact warranty specifications is still
being determined and is being developed in conjunction with our battery pack and cell suppliers.
We may not succeed in establishing, maintaining
and strengthening the ElectraMeccanica brand, which would materially and adversely affect customer acceptance of our vehicles and components
and our business, revenues and prospects.
Our business and prospects heavily depend on our
ability to develop, maintain and strengthen the ElectraMeccanica brand. Any failure to develop, maintain and strengthen our brand may
materially and adversely affect our ability to sell our planned electric vehicles. If we are not able to establish, maintain and strengthen
our brand, we may lose the opportunity to build a critical mass of customers. Promoting and positioning our brand will likely depend significantly
on our ability to provide high quality electric cars and maintenance and repair services, and we have very limited experience in these
areas. In addition, we expect that our ability to develop, maintain and strengthen the ElectraMeccanica brand will also depend heavily
on the success of our marketing efforts. To date, we have limited experience with marketing activities as we have relied primarily on
the internet, word of mouth and attendance at industry trade shows to promote our brand. To further promote our brand, we may be required
to change our marketing practices, which could result in substantially increased advertising expenses, including the need to use traditional
media such as television, radio and print. The automobile industry is intensely competitive, and we may not be successful in building,
maintaining and strengthening our brand. Many of our current and potential competitors, particularly automobile manufacturers headquartered
in Detroit, Japan and the European Union, have greater name recognition, broader customer relationships and substantially greater marketing
resources than we do. If we do not develop and maintain a strong brand, our business, prospects, financial condition and operating results
will be materially and adversely impacted.
Increases in costs, disruption of supply
or shortage of raw materials, in particular lithium-ion cells, could harm our business.
We may experience increases in the cost or a sustained
interruption in the supply or shortage of raw materials. Any such increase or supply interruption could materially negatively impact our
business, prospects, financial condition and operating results. We use various raw materials in our business, including aluminum, steel,
carbon fiber and non-ferrous metals such as copper and cobalt. The prices for these raw materials fluctuate depending on market conditions
and global demand for these materials and could adversely affect our business and operating results. For instance, we are exposed to multiple
risks relating to price fluctuations for lithium-ion cells. These risks include:
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the inability or unwillingness of current battery manufacturers to build or operate battery cell manufacturing plants to supply the numbers of lithium-ion cells required to support the growth of the electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle industry as demand for such cells increases;
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disruption in the supply of cells due to quality issues or recalls by the battery cell manufacturers; and
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an increase in the cost of raw materials, such as cobalt, used in lithium-ion cells.
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Our business depends on the continued supply of
battery cells for our vehicles. We do not currently have any agreements for the supply of batteries and depend upon the open market for
their procurement. Any disruption in the supply of battery cells from our supplier could temporarily disrupt the planned production of
our vehicles until such time as a different supplier is fully qualified. Moreover, battery cell manufacturers may choose to refuse to
supply electric vehicle manufacturers to the extent they determine that the vehicles are not sufficiently safe. Furthermore, current fluctuations
or shortages in petroleum and other economic conditions may cause us to experience significant increases in freight charges and raw material
costs. Substantial increases in the prices for our raw materials would increase our operating costs, and could reduce our margins if we
cannot recoup the increased costs through increased electric vehicle prices. We might not be able to recoup increasing costs of raw materials
by increasing vehicle prices. We have also already announced an estimated price for the base model of our SOLO and the Tofino. However,
any attempts to increase the announced or expected prices in response to increased raw material costs could be viewed negatively by our
potential customers, result in cancellations of SOLO and Tofino reservations and could materially adversely affect our brand, image, business,
prospects and operating results.
The unavailability, reduction or elimination
of government and economic incentives could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results and
prospects.
Any reduction, elimination or discriminatory application
of government subsidies and economic incentives that are offered to purchasers of EVs or persons installing home charging stations, the
reduced need for such subsidies and incentives due to the perceived success of the electric vehicle, fiscal tightening or other reasons
may result in the diminished competitiveness of the alternative fuel vehicle industry generally or our electric vehicles in particular.
This could materially and adversely affect the growth of the alternative fuel automobile markets and our business, prospects, financial
condition and operating results.
If we fail to manage future growth effectively,
we may not be able to market and sell our vehicles successfully.
Any failure to manage our growth effectively could
materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. We plan to expand our operations in
the near future in connection with the planned production of our vehicles. Our future operating results depend to a large extent on our
ability to manage this expansion and growth successfully. Risks that we face in undertaking this expansion include:
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training new personnel;
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forecasting production and revenue;
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controlling expenses and investments in anticipation of expanded operations;
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establishing or expanding design, manufacturing, sales and service facilities;
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implementing and enhancing administrative infrastructure, systems and processes;
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addressing new markets; and
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establishing international operations.
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We intend to continue to hire a number of additional
personnel, including design and manufacturing personnel and service technicians, for our electric vehicles. Competition for individuals
with experience in designing, manufacturing and servicing electric vehicles is intense, and we may not be able to attract, assimilate,
train or retain additional highly qualified personnel in the future. The failure to attract, integrate, train, motivate and retain these
additional employees could seriously harm our business and prospects.
Our business may be adversely affected by
labor and union activities.
Although none of our employees are currently represented
by a labor union, it is common throughout the automobile industry generally for many employees at automobile companies to belong to a
union, which can result in higher employee costs and increased risk of work stoppages. We have a Manufacturing Agreement with Zongshen
to produce SOLO vehicles. Zongshen’s workforce is not currently unionized, though they may become so in the future or industrial
stoppages could occur in the absence of a union. We also directly and indirectly depend upon other companies with unionized work forces,
such as parts suppliers and trucking and freight companies, and work stoppages or strikes organized by such unions could have a material
adverse impact on our business, financial condition or operating results. If a work stoppage occurs within our business, or that of Zongshen
or our key suppliers, it could delay the manufacture and sale of our electric vehicles and have a material adverse effect on our business,
prospects, operating results or financial condition. Additionally, if we expand our business to include full in-house manufacturing of
our vehicles, our employees might join or form a labor union and we may be required to become a union signatory.
We may become subject to product liability
claims, which could harm our financial condition and liquidity if we are not able to successfully defend or insure against such claims.
We may become subject to product liability claims,
which could harm our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition. The automobile industry experiences significant product
liability claims and we face inherent risk of exposure to claims in the event our vehicles do not perform as expected or malfunction resulting
in personal injury or death. Our risks in this area are particularly pronounced given we have limited field experience of our vehicles.
A successful product liability claim against us could require us to pay a substantial monetary award. Moreover, a product liability claim
could generate substantial negative publicity about our vehicles and business and inhibit or prevent commercialization of other future
vehicle candidates which would have a material adverse effect on our brand, business, prospects and operating results. We plan to maintain
product liability insurance for all our vehicles with annual limits of approximately $30 million on a claims-made basis, but any such
insurance might not be sufficient to cover all potential product liability claims. Any lawsuit seeking significant monetary damages either
in excess of our coverage, or outside of our coverage, may have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business and financial condition.
We may not be able to secure additional product liability insurance coverage on commercially acceptable terms or at reasonable costs when
needed, particularly if we do face liability for our products and are forced to make a claim under our policy.
Our patent applications may not result in
issued patents, which may have a material adverse effect on our ability to prevent others from interfering with our commercialization
of our products.
The registration and enforcement of patents involves
complex legal and factual questions and the breadth and effectiveness of patented claims is uncertain. We cannot be certain that we are
the first to file patent applications on these inventions, nor can we be certain that our pending patent applications will result in issued
patents or that any of our issued patents will afford sufficient protection against someone creating competing products, or as a defensive
portfolio against a competitor who claims that we are infringing its patents. In addition, patent applications filed in foreign countries
are subject to laws, rules and procedures that differ from those of the United States, and thus we cannot be certain that foreign patent
applications, if any, will result in issued patents in those foreign jurisdictions or that such patents can be effectively enforced, even
if they relate to patents issued in the United States.
We may need to defend ourselves against
patent or trademark infringement claims, which may be time-consuming and would cause us to incur substantial costs.
Companies, organizations or individuals, including
our competitors, may hold or obtain patents, trademarks or other proprietary rights that would prevent, limit or interfere with our ability
to make, use, develop, sell or market our vehicles or components, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. From
time to time, we may receive communications from third parties that allege our products are covered by their patents or trademarks or
other intellectual property rights. Companies holding patents or other intellectual property rights may bring suits alleging infringement
of such rights or otherwise assert their rights. If we are determined to have infringed upon a third party’s intellectual property
rights, we may be required to do things that include one or more of the following:
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cease making, using, selling or offering to sell processes, goods or services that incorporate or use the third-party intellectual property;
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pay substantial damages;
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seek a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which license may not be available on reasonable terms or at all;
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redesign our vehicles or other goods or services to avoid infringing the third-party intellectual property; or
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establish and maintain alternative branding for our products and services.
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In the event of a successful claim of
infringement against us and our failure or inability to obtain a license to the infringed technology or other intellectual property
right, our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, any
litigation or claims, whether or not valid, could result in substantial costs, negative publicity and diversion of resources and
management attention.
You may face difficulties in protecting
your interests, and your ability to protect your rights through the U.S. federal courts may be limited because we are incorporated under
the laws of the Province of British Columbia, a substantial portion of our assets are in Canada and all of our executive officers and
most of our directors reside outside the United States
We are organized pursuant to the laws of the Province
of British Columbia under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the “Business Corporations Act”), and our executive
offices are located outside of the United States in Vancouver, British Columbia. Three of our four officers, our auditor and all but four
of our directors reside outside the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of their assets and our assets are located outside
of the United States. As a result, you may have difficulty serving legal process within the United States upon us or any of these persons.
You may also have difficulty enforcing, both in and outside of the United States, judgments you may obtain in U.S. courts against us or
these persons in any action, including actions based upon the civil liability provisions of U.S. federal or state securities laws. Furthermore,
there is substantial doubt as to the enforceability in Canada against us or against any of our directors, officers and the expert named
in this Annual Report who are not residents of the United States, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of U.S.
courts, of liabilities based solely upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. In addition, shareholders
in British Columbia companies may not have standing to initiate a shareholder derivative action in U.S. federal courts. As a result, our
public shareholders may have more difficulty in protecting their interests through actions against us, our management, our directors or
our major shareholders than would shareholders of a corporation incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States.
Global economic conditions could materially
adversely impact demand for our products and services.
Our operations and performance depend significantly
on economic conditions. Uncertainty about global economic conditions could result in customers postponing purchases of our products and
services in response to tighter credit, unemployment, negative financial news and/or declines in income or asset values and other macroeconomic
factors, which could have a material negative effect on demand for our products and services and, accordingly, on our business, results
of operations or financial condition.
We are vulnerable to a growing trade dispute
between the United States and China
A growing trade dispute between the United States
and China could increase the proposed sales price of our products or decrease our profits, if any. In June 2018, the previous U.S. administration
has imposed tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese exports, including a 25% duty on cars built in China and shipped to the United States. Following
the imposition of these tariffs, China has imposed additional tariffs on U.S. goods manufactured in the United States and exported to
China. Subsequently, the U.S. administration indicated that it may impose tariffs on up to US$500 billion of goods manufactured in China
and imported into the United States. These tariffs may escalate a nascent trade war between China and the United States. This trade conflict
could affect our business because we intend to mass produce the SOLO in China and our intended principal market is the west coast of North
America. If a trade war were to escalate or if tariffs were imposed on any of our products, we could be forced to increase the proposed
sales price of such products or reduce the margins, if any, on such products.
Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection ruled
that the SOLO has a classification under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States that applies to passenger vehicles for less
than 10 people with only electric motors. The total applicable duty for this classification was recently raised to 27.5% (2.5% is a “most-favored-nation”
tariff for this classification and 25% derives from this classification being on the China 301 List 1). We envision that the suggested
retail purchase price for our SOLO will be US$18,500. As the landscape for tariffs involving imports to the United States from the People’s
Republic of China (the “PRC”) has been changing over the past year and may change again, we have not determined how to adjust
the purchase price in the United States in response to the recent tariff increase.
On January 15, 2020, the United States and
the PRC signed “Phase One” of an Economic and Trade Agreement (the “Phase One Agreement”), which entered
into force on February 14, 2020. Notwithstanding the coming into force of the Phase One Agreement, the United States will maintain
its tariffs on cars built in China and shipped to the United States.
Uncertainties in the interpretation and
enforcement of Chinese laws and regulations could limit the legal protections available to you and us.
The legal system in the PRC is based on written
statutes. Unlike common law systems, it is a system in which legal cases have limited value as precedents. In the late 1970s, the PRC
government began to promulgate a comprehensive system of laws and regulations governing economic matters in general. The overall effect
of legislation over the past three decades has significantly increased the protections afforded to various production services in the
PRC. Zongshen, our manufacturing partner, is subject to various PRC laws and regulations generally applicable to companies in China. However,
since these laws and regulations are relatively new and the PRC legal system continues to rapidly evolve, the interpretations of many
laws, regulations and rules are not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties.
From time to time, we may have to resort to administrative
and court proceedings to enforce our legal rights or Zongshen may have to resort to administrative and court proceedings to fulfill its
obligations under the Manufacturing Agreement. However, since PRC administrative and court authorities have significant discretion in
interpreting and implementing statutory and contractual terms, it may be more difficult to evaluate the outcome of administrative and
court proceedings and the level of legal protection we enjoy than in more developed legal systems. Furthermore, the PRC legal system is
based in part on government policies and internal rules (some of which are not published in a timely manner or at all) that may have retroactive
effect. As a result, we or Zongshen may not be aware of our violation of these policies and rules until sometime after the violation.
Such uncertainties, including uncertainty over the scope and effect of our contractual, property (including intellectual property) and
procedural rights, and any failure to respond to changes in the regulatory environment in China, could materially and adversely affect
our business and impede our ability to continue our operations.
Risks Related to Our Common Shares
Our executive officers and directors beneficially
own approximately 15.66% of our common shares.
As of April 26, 2021, our executive officers and
directors beneficially own, in the aggregate,15.66% of our common shares, which includes shares that our executive officers and directors
have the right to acquire pursuant to warrants, stock options, restricted stock units and deferred stock units which have vested. As a
result, they are able to exercise a significant level of control over all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election
of directors, amendments to our Articles and approval of significant corporate transactions. This control could have the effect of delaying
or preventing a change of control of our Company or changes in management and will make the approval of certain transactions difficult
or impossible without the support of these shareholders.
The continued sale of our equity securities
will dilute the ownership percentage of our existing shareholders and may decrease the market price for our common shares.
Our Notice of Articles authorize the issuance
of an unlimited number of common shares and the issuance of preferred shares. Our Board of Directors has the authority to issue additional
shares of our capital stock to provide additional financing in the future and designate the rights of the preferred shares, which may
include voting, dividend, distribution or other rights that are preferential to those held by the common shareholders. The issuance of
any such common or preferred shares may result in a reduction of the book value or market price, if one exists at the time, of our outstanding
common shares. Given our lack of revenues, we will likely have to issue additional equity securities to obtain working capital we require
for the next 12 months. Our efforts to fund our intended business plans will therefore result in dilution to our existing shareholders.
If we do issue any such additional common shares, such issuance also will cause a reduction in the proportionate ownership and voting
power of all other shareholders. As a result of such dilution, if you acquire common shares your proportionate ownership interest and
voting power could be decreased. Furthermore, any such issuances could result in a change of control or a reduction in the market price
for our common shares.
Additionally, we had 12,183,778 stock options
and 12,518,402 warrants outstanding as of April 26, 2021. The exercise price of some of these options and warrants is below our current
market price, and you could purchase shares in the market at a price in excess of the exercise price of our outstanding warrants or options.
If the holders of these options and warrants elect to exercise them, your ownership position will be diluted and the per share value of
the common shares you have or acquire could be diluted as well. As a result, the market value of our common shares could significantly
decrease as well.
Issuances of our preferred stock may adversely
affect the rights of the holders of our common shares and reduce the value of our common shares.
Our Notice of Articles authorize the issuance
of an unlimited number of shares of preferred stock. Our Board of Directors has the authority to create one or more series of preferred
stock and, without shareholder approval, issue shares of preferred stock with rights superior to the rights of the holders of common shares.
As a result, shares of preferred stock could be issued quickly and easily, adversely affecting the rights of holder of common shares and
could be issued with terms calculated to delay or prevent a change in control or make removal of management more difficult. Although we
currently have no plans to create any series of preferred stock and have no present plans to issue any shares of preferred stock, any
creation and issuance of preferred stock in the future could adversely affect the rights of the holders of common shares and reduce the
value of our common shares.
The market price of our common shares may
be volatile and may fluctuate in a way that is disproportionate to our operating performance.
Our common shares began trading on the Nasdaq
Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) in August 2018, and before that it had been trading on the OTCQB starting in September 2017. The
historical volume of trading has been low (within the past year, the fewest number of our shares that were traded on Nasdaq was 28,706
shares daily), and the share price has fluctuated significantly (since trading began on Nasdaq our closing price has been as low as US$0.91
and as high as US$10.81). The share price for our common shares could decline due to the impact of any of the following factors:
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sales or potential sales of substantial amounts of our common shares;
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announcements about us or about our competitors;
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litigation and other developments relating to our patents or other proprietary rights or those of our competitors;
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conditions in the automobile industry;
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governmental regulation and legislation;
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variations in our anticipated or actual operating results;
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change in securities analysts’ estimates of our performance, or our failure to meet analysts’ expectations;
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change in general economic trends; and
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investor perception of our industry or our prospects.
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Many of these factors are beyond our control.
The stock markets in general, and the market for automobile companies in particular, have historically experienced extreme price and volume
fluctuations. These fluctuations often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. These
broad market and industry factors could reduce the market price of our common shares regardless of our actual operating performance.
We do not intend to pay dividends and there
will thus be fewer ways in which you are able to make a gain on your investment.
We have never paid any cash or stock dividends
and we do not intend to pay any dividends for the foreseeable future. To the extent that we require additional funding currently not provided
for in our financing plan, our funding sources may prohibit the payment of any dividends. Because we do not intend to declare dividends,
any gain on your investment will need to result from an appreciation in the price of our common shares. There will therefore be fewer
ways in which you are able to make a gain on your investment.
FINRA sales practice requirements may limit
your ability to buy and sell our common shares, which could depress the price of our shares.
Financial Industry Regulation Authority (“FINRA”)
rules require broker-dealers to have reasonable grounds for believing that an investment is suitable for a customer before recommending
that investment to the customer. Prior to recommending speculative low-priced securities to their non-institutional customers, broker-dealers
must make reasonable efforts to obtain information about the customer’s financial status, tax status and investment objectives,
among other things. Under interpretations of these rules, FINRA believes that there is a high probability such speculative low-priced
securities will not be suitable for at least some customers. Thus, FINRA requirements may make it more difficult for broker-dealers to
recommend that their customers buy our common shares, which may limit your ability to buy and sell our common shares, have an adverse
effect on the market for our common shares and, thereby, depress their market prices.
Our common shares have been thinly traded,
and you may be unable to sell at or near ask prices or at all if you need to sell your common shares to raise money or otherwise desire
to liquidate your shares.
From October 2017 until August 2018, our common
shares were quoted on the OTCQB where they were “thinly-traded”, meaning that the number of persons interested in purchasing
our common shares at or near bid prices at any given time was relatively small or non-existent. Since we listed on Nasdaq in August 2018,
the volume of our common shares traded has increased, but that volume could decrease until we are thinly-traded again. That could occur
due to a number of factors, including that we are relatively unknown to stock analysts, stock brokers, institutional investors and others
in the investment community that generate or influence sales volume, and that even if we came to the attention of such persons, they tend
to be risk-averse and might be reluctant to follow an unproven company such as ours or purchase or recommend the purchase of our common
shares until such time as we became more seasoned. As a consequence, there may be periods of several days or more when trading activity
in our common shares is minimal or non-existent, as compared to a seasoned issuer which has a large and steady volume of trading activity
that will generally support continuous sales without an adverse effect on share price. Broad or active public trading market for our common
shares may not develop or be sustained.
Volatility in our common shares or warrant
price may subject us to securities litigation.
The market for our common shares may have, when
compared to seasoned issuers, significant price volatility, and we expect that our share or warrant prices may continue to be more volatile
than that of a seasoned issuer for the indefinite future. In the past, plaintiffs have often initiated securities class action litigation
against a company following periods of volatility in the market price of its securities. We may, in the future, be the target of similar
litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and liabilities and could divert management’s attention and
resources.
We are a foreign private issuer within the
meaning of the rules under the Exchange Act, and as such we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public
companies.
We are a foreign private issuer within the meaning
of the rules under the Exchange Act. As such, we are exempt from certain provisions applicable to United States domestic public companies.
For example:
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we are not required to provide as many Exchange Act reports, or as frequently, as a domestic public company;
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for interim reporting we are permitted to comply solely with our home country requirements, which are less rigorous than the rules that apply to domestic public companies;
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we are not required to provide the same level of disclosure on certain issues, such as executive compensation;
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we are exempt from provisions of Regulation FD aimed at preventing issuers from making selective disclosures of material information;
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we are not required to comply with the sections of the Exchange Act regulating the solicitation of proxies, consents or authorizations in respect of a security registered under the Exchange Act; and
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we are not required to comply with Section 16 of the Exchange Act requiring insiders to file public reports of their share ownership and trading activities and establishing insider liability for profits realized from any “short-swing” trading transaction.
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Our shareholders may not have access to certain
information they may deem important and are accustomed to receive from U.S. reporting companies.
As an “emerging growth company”
under applicable law, we will be subject to lessened disclosure requirements. Such reduced disclosure may make our common shares less
attractive to investors.
For as long as we remain an “emerging growth
company”, as defined in the JOBS Act, we will elect to take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements
that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies” and including, but not limited to,
not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, reduced disclosure obligations
regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, exemptions from the requirements of holding a non-binding advisory vote on executive
compensation and shareholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Because of these lessened regulatory requirements,
our shareholders would be left without information or rights available to shareholders of more mature companies. If some investors find
our common shares less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for such securities and their market prices may
be more volatile.
We incur significant costs as a result of
being a public company, which costs will grow after we cease to qualify as an “emerging growth company.”
We incur significant legal, accounting and other
expenses as a public company that we did not incur as a private company. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, as well as rules subsequently implemented
by the SEC and Nasdaq, impose various requirements on the corporate governance practices of public companies. We are an “emerging
growth company”, as defined in the JOBS Act, and will remain an emerging growth company until the earlier of : (1) the last day
of the fiscal year (a) following May 23, 2022, (b) in which we have total annual gross revenue of at least US$1.07 billion or (c) in which
we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value of our common shares that is held by non-affiliates exceeds
US$700 million as of the prior June 30th; and (2) the date on which we have issued more than US$1.0 billion in non-convertible
debt during the prior three-year period. An emerging growth company may take advantage of specified reduced reporting and other requirements
that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include exemption from the auditor attestation requirement
under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the assessment of the emerging growth company’s internal control over financial reporting
and permission to delay adopting new or revised accounting standards until such time as those standards apply to private companies.
Compliance with these rules and regulations
increases our legal and financial compliance costs and makes some corporate activities more time-consuming and costlier. After we
are no longer an emerging growth company, we expect to incur significant expenses and devote substantial management effort toward
ensuring compliance with the requirements of Section 404 and the other rules and regulations of the SEC. For example, as a public
company, we have been required to increase the number of independent directors and adopt policies regarding internal controls and
disclosure controls and procedures. We have incurred additional costs in obtaining director and officer liability insurance. In
addition, we incur additional costs associated with our public company reporting requirements. It may also be more difficult for us
to find qualified persons to serve on our board of directors or as executive officers. We are currently evaluating and monitoring
developments with respect to these rules and regulations, and we cannot predict or estimate with any degree of certainty the amount
of additional costs we may incur or the timing of such costs.
USE OF
PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale
of the shares underlying the Warrants, but we will receive all proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants. Assuming full exercise of all
of the 4,501,268 Warrants covered by this prospectus at US$4.25 per share, we will receive
gross proceeds of approximately US$19,130,389. The actual exercise of any of the Warrants, however, is beyond our control and depends
on a number of factors, including the market price of our common stock. We cannot assure you that all, or even any, of the Warrants will
be exercised.
While we have no specific plan for the proceeds,
we expect to use the net proceeds from the exercise, if any, of the Warrants described in this prospectus to further develop our products,
for working capital, and for general corporate purposes.
MARKET PRICE AND TRADING HISTORY
The common shares have been listed on the Nasdaq
Capital Market under the symbol “SOLO” since August 9, 2018. Our common shares were traded previously on the OTC Market Group
Inc.’s Venture Market (the “OTCQB”) under the symbol “ECCTF” since September 2017.
The following tables sets forth, for the periods
indicated, the high and low trading prices of our common shares as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market and OTCQB prior to the filing
of this prospectus.
Common Shares (symbol: “SOLO”)
|
|
OTCQB
(U.S. Dollars)
|
|
|
NASDAQ
(U.S. Dollars)
|
|
Period
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
|
High
|
|
|
Low
|
|
Quarter ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2017
|
|
|
8.00
|
|
|
|
1.50
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2017
|
|
|
15.00
|
|
|
|
10.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2018
|
|
|
10.70
|
|
|
|
9.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2018
|
|
|
9.88
|
|
|
|
4.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2018 (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.25
|
|
|
|
2.27
|
|
December 31, 2018
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.48
|
|
|
|
0.9
|
|
March 31, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.74
|
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
June 30, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.93
|
|
|
|
2.41
|
|
September 30, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.25
|
|
|
|
2.01
|
|
December 31, 2019
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.73
|
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
March 31, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.58
|
|
|
|
0.89
|
|
June 30, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.60
|
|
|
|
0.93
|
|
September 30, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.46
|
|
|
|
2.05
|
|
December 31, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.46
|
|
|
|
2.40
|
|
March 31, 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.74
|
|
|
|
4.24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Nine Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
July 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.46
|
|
|
|
2.05
|
|
August 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.42
|
|
|
|
2.53
|
|
September 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.95
|
|
|
|
2.34
|
|
October 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.35
|
|
|
|
2.40
|
|
November 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.45
|
|
|
|
2.73
|
|
December 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.15
|
|
|
|
5.80
|
|
January 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.21
|
|
|
|
6.26
|
|
February 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.74
|
|
|
|
5.30
|
|
March 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.54
|
|
|
|
4.24
|
|
Note
(1)
|
From July 1, 2018 through August 7, 2018, the common shares traded on the OTCQB. The trading history from
that period has been included in this quarterly information as if such trading had occurred on the Nasdaq Capital Market.
|
DIVIDEND POLICY
To date, we have not paid any dividends on our
outstanding common shares. The future payment of dividends will depend upon our financial requirements to fund further growth, our financial
condition and other factors which our Board of Directors may consider in the circumstances. We do not contemplate paying any dividends
in the immediate or foreseeable futures.
DILUTION
Our net tangible book value as of December 31,
2020 was approximately US$121,709,823, or approximately US$1.36 per common share. Net tangible book value per share represents the amount
of our total tangible assets, less our total liabilities, divided by the number of outstanding shares of common stock. Dilution in net
tangible book value per share represents the difference between the amount per share paid by the purchaser of shares of common stock upon
the exercise of the Warrants and the net tangible book value per share of common stock immediately after the exercise of the Warrants.
If all of the 4,501,268
Warrants covered by this Prospectus had been exercised on or before December 31, 2020 at an exercise price of US$4.25, our pro forma net
tangible book value as of December 31, 2020 would have been approximately US$140,840,212 or US$1.50 per share. This represents an immediate
increase in net tangible book value of US$0.14 per share to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value
of US$2.75 per share to shares underlying the Warrants.
The shares outstanding as
of December 31, 2020 used to calculate the information in this section exclude:
|
●
|
13,008,364 shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding on December 31, 2020; and
|
|
|
|
|
●
|
15,070,883 shares issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding on December 31, 2020.
|
CURRENCY AND EXCHANGE RATES
All dollar amounts in this
prospectus are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. Our accounts are maintained in Canadian dollars, and our financial
statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards
Board. All reference to “U.S. dollars”, “USD”, or to “US$” are to United States dollars.
The following table sets forth,
for each period indicated, the high and low exchange rate for U.S. dollars expressed in Canadian dollars, and the average exchange
rate for the periods indicated. Averages for year-end periods are calculated by using the exchange rates on the last day of each full
month during the relevant period. These rates are based on the noon-buying rate certified for custom purposes by the U.S. Federal Reserve
Bank of New York set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board. These rates are provided solely for your convenience
and are not necessarily the exchange rates that we used in preparation of our consolidated financial statements, pro forma financial statements
or elsewhere in this prospectus or will use in the preparation of our periodic reports or any other information to be provided to you.
We make no representation that any Canadian dollar or U.S. dollar amounts referred to in this prospectus could have been or could be converted
into U.S. dollars or Canadian dollars, as the case may be, at any particular rate or at all.
|
|
Period
End
|
|
|
Period
Average
Rate
|
|
|
High
Rate
|
|
|
Low
Rate
|
|
Year Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2019
|
|
$
|
1.2962
|
|
|
$
|
1.3269
|
|
|
$
|
1.4539
|
|
|
$
|
1.2962
|
|
December 31, 2020
|
|
$
|
1.2753
|
|
|
$
|
1.3422
|
|
|
$
|
1.3591
|
|
|
$
|
1.2715
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Six Months
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
October 2020
|
|
$
|
1.3332
|
|
|
$
|
1.2585
|
|
|
$
|
1.3365
|
|
|
$
|
1.3120
|
|
November 2020
|
|
$
|
1.2982
|
|
|
$
|
1.3073
|
|
|
$
|
1.3255
|
|
|
$
|
1.2978
|
|
December 2020
|
|
$
|
1.2753
|
|
|
$
|
1.2809
|
|
|
$
|
1.2958
|
|
|
$
|
1.2715
|
|
January 2021
|
|
$
|
1.2776
|
|
|
$
|
1.2725
|
|
|
$
|
1.2812
|
|
|
$
|
1.2633
|
|
February 2021
|
|
$
|
1.2698
|
|
|
$
|
1.2696
|
|
|
$
|
1.2830
|
|
|
$
|
1.2528
|
|
March 2021
|
|
$
|
1.2571
|
|
|
$
|
1.2569
|
|
|
$
|
1.2672
|
|
|
$
|
1.2434
|
|
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CAPITAL
Common Shares
We are authorized to issue an unlimited number
of common shares, without par value. As of December 31, 2020, the date of the most recent audited balance sheet included in our financial
statements, there were 89,309,563 common shares issued and outstanding, 28,079,247 common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding
stock options and warrants. As of April 26, 2021, there were 112,949,675 common shares issued and outstanding and 24,702,180 common shares
issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and warrants.
The holders of our common shares are entitled
to vote at all meetings of shareholders, to receive dividends if, as and when declared by the directors and to participate pro rata
in any distribution of property or assets upon our liquidation, winding-up or other dissolution. Our common shares carry no pre-emptive
rights, conversion or exchange rights, redemption, retraction, repurchase, sinking fund or purchase fund provisions. There are no provisions
requiring the holder of our common share to contribute additional capital and no restrictions on the issuance of additional securities
by us. There are no restrictions on the repurchase or redemption of common shares by us except to the extent that any such repurchase
or redemption would render us insolvent pursuant to the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia).
Preferred Shares
We may issue our preferred shares from time to
time in one or more series. The terms of each series of preferred shares, including the number of shares, the designation, rights, preferences,
privileges, priorities, restrictions, conditions and limitations, will be determined at the time of creation of each such series by our
board of directors, without shareholder approval, provided that all preferred shares will rank equally within their class as to dividends
and distributions in the event of our dissolution, liquidation or winding-up. We do not have any preferred shares outstanding as of the
date of this prospectus.
Transfer Agent
Our stock transfer agent and warrant agent for
our securities is VStock Transfer, LLC, located at 18 Lafayette Place, Woodmere, New York, New York, U.S.A., 11598, and its telephone
number is (212) 828-8436.
LIMITATIONS ON RIGHTS OF NON-CANADIANS
We are incorporated pursuant to the laws of the
Province of British Columbia, Canada. There is no law or governmental decree or regulation in Canada that restricts the export or import
of capital, or affects the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments to a non-resident holder of common shares, other than withholding
tax requirements. Any such remittances to United States residents are generally subject to withholding tax, however no such remittances
are likely in the foreseeable future. See “Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Information For United States Residents” below.
There is no limitation imposed by Canadian law
or by the charter or other constituent documents of our Company on the right of a non-resident to hold or vote common shares of our company.
However, the Investment Canada Act (Canada) (the “Investment Act”) has rules regarding certain acquisitions
of shares by non-Canadians, along with other requirements under that legislation.
The following discussion summarizes the principal
features of the Investment Act for a “non-Canadian” (as defined under the Investment Act) who proposes to acquire common shares
of our Company. The discussion is general only; it is not a substitute for independent legal advice from an investor’s own advisor;
and it does not anticipate statutory or regulatory amendments.
The Investment Act is a federal statute of broad
application regulating the establishment and acquisition of Canadian businesses by non-Canadians, including individuals, governments or
agencies thereof, corporations, partnerships, trusts or joint ventures (each an “entity”). Investments by non-Canadians to
acquire control over existing Canadian businesses or to establish new ones are either reviewable or notifiable under the Investment Act.
If an investment by a non-Canadian to acquire control over an existing Canadian business is reviewable under the Investment Act, the Investment
Act generally prohibits implementation of the investment unless, after review, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Canada (the “Minister”) is satisfied that the investment is likely to be of net benefit to Canada.
A non-Canadian would acquire control of our Company
for the purposes of the Investment Act through the acquisition of common shares if the non-Canadian acquired a majority of the common
shares of our Company.
Further, the acquisition of less than a majority
but one-third or more of the common shares of our Company by a non-Canadian would be presumed to be an acquisition of control of our Company
unless it could be established that, on the acquisition, our Company was not controlled in fact by the acquirer through the ownership
of common shares.
For a direct acquisition that would result in
an acquisition of control of our Company, subject to the exception for “WTO-investors” that are controlled by persons who
are nationals or permanent residents of World Trade Organization (“WTO”) member nations, a proposed investment generally would
be reviewable where the value of the acquired assets is CAD$5 million or more.
For a proposed indirect acquisition by an
investor other than a so-called WTO investor that would result in an acquisition of control of our Company through the acquisition
of a non-Canadian parent entity, the investment generally would be reviewable where the value of the assets of the entity carrying
on the Canadian business, and of all other entities in Canada, the control of which is acquired, directly or indirectly is CAD$50
million or more.
In the case of a direct acquisition by a “WTO
investor”, the threshold is significantly higher. An investment in common shares of our Company by a WTO investor that is not a
state-owned enterprise would be reviewable only if it was an investment to acquire control of the company and the enterprise value of
the assets of the company was equal to or greater than a specified amount, which is published by the Minister after its determination
for any particular year. For 2021, this amount is CAD$1.043 billion (unless the investor is controlled by persons who are nationals or
permanent residents of countries that are party to one of a list of certain free trade agreements, in which case the amount is CAD$1.565
billion for 2021); each January 1, both thresholds are adjusted by a GDP (Gross Domestic Product) based index.
The higher WTO threshold for direct investments
and the exemption for indirect investments do not apply where the relevant Canadian business is carrying on a “cultural business”.
The acquisition of a Canadian business that is a “cultural business” is subject to lower review thresholds under the Investment
Act because of the perceived sensitivity of the cultural sector.
In 2009, amendments were enacted to the Investment
Act concerning investments that may be considered injurious to national security. If the Minister has reasonable grounds to believe that
an investment by a non-Canadian “could be injurious to national security,” the Minister may send the non-Canadian a notice
indicating that an order for review of the investment may be made. The review of an investment on the grounds of national security may
occur whether or not an investment is otherwise subject to review on the basis of net benefit to Canada or otherwise subject to notification
under the Investment Act.
Certain transactions, except those to which the
national security provisions of the Investment Act may apply, relating to common shares of our Company are exempt from the Investment
Act, including:
|
(a)
|
the acquisition of our common shares by a person in the ordinary course of that person’s business as a trader or dealer in securities;
|
|
(b)
|
the acquisition of control of our company in connection with the realization of security granted for a loan or other financial assistance and not for a purpose related to the provisions on the Investment Act, if the acquisition is subject to approval under the Bank Act, the Cooperative Credit Associations Act, the Insurance Companies Act or the Trust and Loan Companies Act; and
|
|
(c)
|
the acquisition of control of our company by reason of an amalgamation, merger, consolidation or corporate reorganization following which the ultimate direct or indirect control in fact of our company, through the ownership of common shares, remained unchanged.
|
MATERIAL INCOME TAX INFORMATION
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations
for United States Residents
The following is a summary of certain Canadian
federal income tax considerations generally applicable to the holding and disposition of our common shares acquired by a holder who, at
all relevant times, (a) for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”) (i) is not resident, or
deemed to be resident, in Canada, (ii) deals at arm’s length with us and the Agents, and is not affiliated with us or the Agents,
(iii) holds our common shares as capital property, (iv) does not use or hold the common shares in the course of carrying on a business
in Canada, or otherwise in connection with a business carried on or deemed to be carried on in Canada, and (v) is not a “registered
non-resident insurer”, an “authorized foreign bank” (each as defined in the Tax Act), or other holder of special status
or in special circumstances, and (b) for the purposes of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention (the “Tax Treaty”), is a resident
of the United States, has never been a resident of Canada, does not have and has not had, at any time, a permanent establishment or fixed
base in Canada, and who qualifies in all respects for the full benefits of the Tax Treaty. Holders who meet all of the criteria in clauses
(a) and (b) above are referred to herein as “U.S. Holders”, and this summary only addresses such U.S. Holders.
This summary does not deal with special situations,
such as the particular circumstances of traders or dealers, tax exempt entities, partnerships, insurers or financial institutions, or
other holders of special status or in special circumstances. Such holders, and all other holders who do not meet the criteria in clauses
(a) and (b) above, should consult their own tax advisors.
This summary is based on the current provisions
of the Tax Act, the regulations thereunder in force at the date hereof (“Regulations”), the current provisions of the
Tax Treaty, and our understanding of the administrative and assessing practices of the Canada Revenue Agency published in writing prior
to the date hereof. This summary takes into account all specific proposals to amend the Tax Act and Regulations publicly announced by
or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the date hereof (the “Proposed Amendments”) and assumes that
such Proposed Amendments will be enacted in the form proposed. However, such Proposed Amendments might not be enacted in the form proposed,
or at all, and no assurance in this regard can be given. This summary does not otherwise take into account or anticipate any changes in
law or administrative or assessing practices, whether by legislative, governmental or judicial decision or action, nor does it take into
account tax laws of any province or territory of Canada or of any other jurisdiction outside Canada, any or all of which may differ significantly
from those discussed in this summary.
For the purposes of the Tax Act, all amounts relating
to the acquisition, holding or disposition of our common shares must be expressed in Canadian dollars. Amounts denominated in United States
currency generally must be converted into Canadian dollars using the rate of exchange that is acceptable to the Canada Revenue Agency.
This summary is of a general nature only and
is not intended to be, nor should it be construed to be, legal or tax advice to any particular U.S. Holder, and no representation with
respect to the Canadian federal income tax consequences to any particular U.S. Holder or prospective U.S. Holder is made. This summary
is not exhaustive of all Canadian federal income tax considerations. Accordingly, all prospective purchasers (including U.S. Holders as
defined above) should consult with their own tax advisors for advice with respect to their own particular circumstances.
Withholding Tax on Dividends
Amounts paid or credited or deemed to be paid
or credited as, on account or in lieu of payment of, or in satisfaction of, dividends on our common shares to a U.S. Holder will be subject
to Canadian withholding tax. Under the Tax Treaty, the rate of Canadian withholding tax on dividends paid or credited by us to a U.S.
Holder that beneficially owns such dividends and substantiates eligibility for the benefits of the Tax Treaty is generally 15% (unless
the beneficial owner is a company that owns at least 10% of our voting stock at that time, in which case the rate of Canadian withholding
tax is generally reduced to 5%).
Disposition of Common Shares
A U.S. Holder will not be subject to tax under
the Tax Act on a capital gain realized on a disposition or deemed disposition of our common shares, unless the common shares are “taxable
Canadian property” to the U.S. Holder for purposes of the Tax Act and the U.S. Holder is not entitled to relief under the Tax Treaty.
Provided the common shares are listed on a
“designated stock exchange” as defined in the Tax Act (which currently includes Nasdaq) at the time of disposition, the
common shares generally will not constitute “taxable Canadian property” of a U.S. Holder at that time unless, at any
time during the 60 month period immediately preceding the disposition, the following two conditions are met: (i) the U.S. Holder,
persons with whom the U.S. Holder did not deal at arm’s length, partnerships in which the U.S. Holder or such non-arm’s
length person holds a membership interest (either directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships), or the U.S. Holder
together with all such persons, owned 25% or more of the issued shares of any class or series of shares of our company; and (ii)
more than 50% of the fair market value of the shares of the company was derived directly or indirectly from one or any combination
of real or immovable property situated in Canada, Canadian resource properties (as defined in the Tax Act), timber resource
properties (as defined in the Tax Act) or options in respect of, or interests in, or for civil law rights in, property described in
any of the foregoing (whether or not the property exists). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in certain other circumstances set out in
the Tax Act, common shares could also be deemed to be “taxable Canadian property”.
U.S. Holders who may hold common
shares as “taxable Canadian property” should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the application of Canadian
capital gains taxation, any potential relief under the Tax Treaty, and compliance procedures under the Tax Act, none of which is
described in this summary.
Certain United States Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following is a general summary of certain
material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) arising from and relating to the acquisition,
ownership, and disposition of common shares acquired pursuant to this prospectus supplement.
This summary is for general information purposes
only and does not purport to be a complete analysis or listing of all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations that may apply
to a U.S. Holder arising from and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. In addition, this summary
does not take into account the individual facts and circumstances of any particular U.S. Holder that may affect the U.S. federal income
tax consequences to such U.S. Holder, including, without limitation, specific tax consequences to a U.S. Holder under an applicable income
tax treaty. Accordingly, this summary is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or U.S. federal income tax advice with
respect to any U.S. Holder. This summary does not address the U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S.
federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences to U.S. Holders of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition
of common shares. In addition, except as specifically set forth below, this summary does not discuss applicable tax reporting requirements.
Each prospective U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal
alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership,
and disposition of common shares.
No legal opinion from U.S. legal counsel or ruling
from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) has been requested, or will be obtained, regarding the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares. This summary is not binding on the IRS, and the IRS is not
precluded from taking a position that is different from, and contrary to, the positions taken in this summary. In addition, because the
authorities on which this summary are based are subject to various interpretations, the IRS and the U.S. courts could disagree with one
or more of the conclusions described in this summary.
Scope of this Summary
Authorities
This summary is based on the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), Treasury Regulations (whether final, temporary, or proposed), published rulings of
the IRS, published administrative positions of the IRS, the Convention Between Canada and the United States of America with Respect to
Taxes on Income and on Capital, signed September 26, 1980, as amended (the “Canada-U.S. Tax Convention”), and U.S. court
decisions that are applicable, and, in each case, as in effect and available, as of the date of this document. Any of the authorities
on which this summary is based could be changed in a material and adverse manner at any time, and any such change could be applied retroactively.
This summary does not discuss the potential effects, whether adverse or beneficial, of any proposed legislation.
U.S. Holders
For purposes of this summary, the term “U.S.
Holder” means a beneficial owner of common shares acquired pursuant to this offering that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
|
·
|
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
|
|
·
|
a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;
|
|
·
|
an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or
|
|
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a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.
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U.S. Holders Subject to Special U.S. Federal
Income Tax Rules Not Addressed
This summary does not address the U.S. federal
income tax considerations applicable to U.S. Holders that are subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited
to, U.S. Holders that: (a) are tax-exempt organizations, qualified retirement plans, individual retirement accounts, or other tax-deferred
accounts; (b) are financial institutions, underwriters, insurance companies, real estate investment trusts, or regulated investment
companies; (c) are broker-dealers, dealers, or traders in securities or currencies that elect to apply a mark-to-market accounting
method; (d) have a “functional currency” other than the U.S. dollar; (e) own common shares as part of a straddle,
hedging transaction, conversion transaction, constructive sale, or other integrated transaction; (f) acquire common shares in connection
with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation for services; (g) hold common shares other than as a capital
asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment purposes); (h) are required to
accelerate the recognition of any item of gross income with respect to common shares as a result of such income being recognized on an
applicable financial statement; or (i) own, have owned or will own (directly, indirectly, or by attribution) 10% or more of the total
combined voting power or value of our outstanding shares. This summary also does not address the U.S. federal income tax considerations
applicable to U.S. Holders who are: (a) U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.; (b) persons that have been,
are, or will be a resident or deemed to be a resident in Canada for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the “Tax Act”);
(c) persons that use or hold, will use or hold, or that are or will be deemed to use or hold common shares in connection with carrying
on a business in Canada; (d) persons whose common shares constitute “taxable Canadian property” under the Tax Act; or
(e) persons that have a permanent establishment in Canada for the purposes of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention. U.S. Holders that are
subject to special provisions under the Code, including, but not limited to, U.S. Holders described immediately above, should consult
their own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, U.S. federal net investment income, U.S. federal alternative minimum, U.S. federal estate
and gift, U.S. state and local, and non-U.S. tax consequences relating to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of common shares.
If an entity or arrangement that is classified
as a partnership (or other “pass-through” entity) for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds common shares, the U.S. federal
income tax consequences to such entity and the partners (or other owners) of such entity generally will depend on the activities of the
entity and the status of such partners (or owners). This summary does not address the tax consequences to any such partner (or owner).
Partners (or other owners) of entities or arrangements that are classified as partnerships or as “pass-through” entities for
U.S. federal income tax purposes should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences arising from
and relating to the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of common shares.
Ownership and Disposition of Common Shares
The following discussion is subject in its entirety
to the rules described below under the heading “Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules.”
Taxation of Distributions
A U.S. Holder that receives a distribution,
including a constructive distribution, with respect to a common share will be required to include the amount of such distribution in
gross income as a dividend (without reduction for any foreign income tax withheld from such distribution) to the extent of our
current or accumulated “earnings and profits”, as computed for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To the extent that a
distribution exceeds our current and accumulated “earnings and profits”, such distribution will be treated first as a
tax-free return of capital to the extent of a U.S. Holder's tax basis in the common shares and thereafter as gain from the sale or
exchange of the common shares (see “Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common Shares” below). However, we may not
maintain the calculations of our earnings and profits in accordance with U.S. federal income tax principles, and each U.S. Holder
may have to assume that any distribution by us with respect to the common shares will constitute ordinary dividend income. Dividends
received on common shares by corporate U.S. Holders generally will not be eligible for the “dividends received
deduction”. Subject to applicable limitations and provided we are eligible for the benefits of the Canada-U.S. Tax Convention
or the common shares are readily tradable on a United States securities market, dividends paid by us to non-corporate U.S. Holders,
including individuals, generally will be eligible for the preferential tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains for
dividends, provided certain holding period and other conditions are satisfied, including that we not be classified as a PFIC (as
defined below) in the tax year of distribution or in the preceding tax year. The dividend rules are complex, and each U.S.
Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of such rules.
Sale or Other Taxable Disposition of Common
Shares
A U.S. Holder generally will recognize gain or
loss on the sale or other taxable disposition of common shares in an amount equal to the difference, if any, between (a) the amount
of cash plus the fair market value of any property received and (b) such U.S. Holder’s tax basis in such common shares sold
or otherwise disposed of. Any such gain or loss generally will be capital gain or loss, which will be long-term capital gain or loss if,
at the time of the sale or other disposition, such common shares are held for more than one year.
Preferential tax rates apply to long-term capital
gains of a U.S. Holder that is an individual, estate, or trust. There are currently no preferential tax rates for long-term capital gains
of a U.S. Holder that is a corporation. Deductions for capital losses are subject to significant limitations under the Code.
Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules
If we were to constitute a “passive foreign
investment company” (“PFIC”) for any year during a U.S. Holder’s holding period, then certain potentially adverse
rules would affect the U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder resulting from the acquisition, ownership and disposition
of common shares. We believe that we were not a PFIC for the prior tax year, and based on current business plans and financial expectations,
we expect that we should not be a PFIC for the current tax year and expect that we should not be a PFIC for the foreseeable future. No
opinion of legal counsel or ruling from the IRS concerning our status as a PFIC has been obtained or is currently planned to be requested.
However, PFIC classification is fundamentally factual in nature, generally cannot be determined until the close of the tax year in question,
and is determined annually. Additionally, the analysis depends, in part, on the application of complex U.S. federal income tax rules,
which are subject to differing interpretations. Consequently, there can be no assurance that we have never been and will not become a
PFIC for any tax year during which U.S. Holders hold common shares.
In any year in which we are classified as a PFIC,
a U.S. Holder will be required to file an annual report with the IRS containing such information as Treasury Regulations and/or other
IRS guidance may require. In addition to penalties, a failure to satisfy such reporting requirements may result in an extension of the
time period during which the IRS can assess a tax. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the requirements of filing
such information returns under these rules, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8621 annually.
We generally will be a PFIC if, after the application
of certain “look-through” rules with respect to subsidiaries in which we hold at least 25% of the value of such subsidiary,
for a tax year, (a) 75% or more of our gross income for such tax year is passive income (the “income test”) or (b) 50%
or more of the value of our assets either produce passive income or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”),
based on the quarterly average of the fair market value of such assets. “Gross income” generally includes all sales revenues
less the cost of goods sold, plus income from investments and from incidental or outside operations or sources, and “passive income”
generally includes, for example, dividends, interest, certain rents and royalties, certain gains from the sale of stock and securities,
and certain gains from commodities transactions.
If we were a PFIC in any tax year during
which a U.S. Holder held common shares, such holder generally would be subject to special rules with respect to “excess
distributions” made by us on the common shares and with respect to gain from the disposition of common shares. An
“excess distribution” generally is defined as the excess of distributions with respect to the common shares received by
a U.S Holder in any tax year over 125% of the average annual distributions such U.S. Holder has received from us during the shorter
of the three preceding tax years, or such U.S. Holder’s holding period for the common shares. Generally, a U.S. Holder would
be required to allocate any excess distribution or gain from the disposition of the common shares ratably over its holding period
for the common shares. Such amounts allocated to the year of the disposition or excess distribution would be taxed as ordinary
income, and amounts allocated to prior tax years would be taxed as ordinary income at the highest tax rate in effect for each such
year and an interest charge at a rate applicable to underpayments of tax would apply.
While there are U.S. federal income tax elections
that sometimes can be made to mitigate these adverse tax consequences (including the “QEF Election” under Section 1295
of the Code and the “Mark-to-Market Election” under Section 1296 of the Code), such elections are available in limited
circumstances and must be made in a timely manner.
U.S. Holders should be aware that, for each tax
year, if any, that we are a PFIC, we can provide no assurances that we will satisfy the record keeping requirements or make available
to U.S. Holders the information such U.S. Holders require to make a QEF Election with respect to us or any subsidiary that also is classified
as a PFIC.
Certain additional adverse rules may apply
with respect to a U.S. Holder if we are a PFIC, regardless of whether the U.S. Holder makes a QEF Election. These rules include special
rules that apply to the amount of foreign tax credit that a U.S. Holder may claim on a distribution from a PFIC. Subject to these
special rules, foreign taxes paid with respect to any distribution in respect of stock in a PFIC are generally eligible for the foreign
tax credit. U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application of the PFIC rules to the ownership
and disposition of common shares, and the availability of certain U.S. tax elections under the PFIC rules.
Additional Considerations
Receipt of Foreign Currency
The amount of any distribution paid to a U.S.
Holder in foreign currency, or on the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of common shares, generally will be equal to the U.S.
dollar value of such foreign currency based on the exchange rate applicable on the date of receipt (regardless of whether such foreign
currency is converted into U.S. dollars at that time). A U.S. Holder will have a basis in the foreign currency equal to its U.S. dollar
value on the date of receipt. Any U.S. Holder who converts or otherwise disposes of the foreign currency after the date of receipt may
have a foreign currency exchange gain or loss that would be treated as ordinary income or loss, and generally will be U.S. source income
or loss for foreign tax credit purposes. Different rules apply to U.S. Holders who use the accrual method of tax accounting. Each
U.S. Holder should consult its own U.S. tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of receiving, owning, and disposing
of foreign currency.
Foreign Tax Credit
Subject to the PFIC rules discussed above,
a U.S. Holder that pays (whether directly or through withholding) Canadian income tax with respect to dividends paid on the common shares
generally will be entitled, at the election of such U.S. Holder, to receive either a deduction or a credit for such Canadian income tax.
Generally, a credit will reduce a U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis, whereas a deduction
will reduce a U.S. Holder’s income that is subject to U.S. federal income tax. This election is made on a year-by-year basis and
applies to all foreign taxes paid (whether directly or through withholding) by a U.S. Holder during a year. The foreign tax credit rules are
complex and involve the application of rules that depend on a U.S. Holder’s particular circumstances. Each U.S. Holder should
consult its own U.S. tax advisors regarding the foreign tax credit rules.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Under U.S. federal income tax law and Treasury
Regulations, certain categories of U.S. Holders must file information returns with respect to their investment in, or involvement in,
a foreign corporation. For example, U.S. return disclosure obligations (and related penalties) are imposed on individuals who are U.S.
Holders that hold certain specified foreign financial assets in excess of certain threshold amounts. The definition of specified foreign
financial assets includes not only financial accounts maintained in foreign financial institutions, but also, unless held in accounts
maintained by a financial institution, any stock or security issued by a non-U.S. person, any financial instrument or contract held for
investment that has an issuer or counterparty other than a U.S. person and any interest in a foreign entity. U. S. Holders may be subject
to these reporting requirements unless their common shares are held in an account at certain financial institutions. Penalties for failure
to file certain of these information returns are substantial. U.S.
Holders should consult their own tax advisors
regarding the requirements of filing information returns, including the requirement to file an IRS Form 8938.
Payments made within the U.S. or by a U.S. payor
or U.S. middleman, of dividends on, and proceeds arising from the sale or other taxable disposition of, common shares will generally be
subject to information reporting and backup withholding tax, at the rate of 24%, if a U.S. Holder (a) fails to furnish such U.S.
Holder’s correct U.S. taxpayer identification number (generally on Form W-9), (b) furnishes an incorrect U.S. taxpayer
identification number, (c) is notified by the IRS that such U.S. Holder has previously failed to properly report items subject to
backup withholding tax, or (d) fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such U.S. Holder has furnished its correct U.S. taxpayer
identification number and that the IRS has not notified such U.S. Holder that it is subject to backup withholding tax. However, certain
exempt persons, such as corporations, generally are excluded from these information reporting and backup withholding rules. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the U.S. backup withholding tax rules will be allowed as a credit against a
U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, or will be refunded, if such U.S. Holder furnishes required information
to the IRS in a timely manner.
The discussion of reporting requirements set forth
above is not intended to constitute a complete description of all reporting requirements that may apply to a U.S. Holder. A failure to
satisfy certain reporting requirements may result in an extension of the time period during which the IRS can assess a tax, and under
certain circumstances, such an extension may apply to assessments of amounts unrelated to any unsatisfied reporting requirement. Each
U.S. Holder should consult its own tax advisor regarding the information reporting and backup withholding rules.
THE ABOVE SUMMARY IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE
A COMPLETE ANALYSIS OF ALL TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO U.S. HOLDERS WITH RESPECT TO THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP, AND DISPOSITION OF
COMMON SHARES. U.S. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS AS TO THE TAX CONSIDERATIONS APPLICABLE TO THEM IN THEIR OWN PARTICULAR
CIRCUMSTANCES.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Pursuant to the terms of the Warrants, the shares
of common stock will be distributed to those Warrant holders who surrender their Warrant certificate with their subscription form, together
with the payment of the exercise price, to our warrant agent, VStock Transfer, LLC.
LEGAL MATTERS
McMillan LLP is acting as counsel to our Company
regarding Canadian and U.S. securities law matters. The current address of McMillan LLP is Royal Centre, 1055 West Georgia Street, Vancouver,
British Columbia, Canada, V6E 4N5.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Electrameccanica
Vehicles Corp. as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, have been
incorporated by reference into this prospectus and registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG LLP, an independent registered
public accounting firm, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The audit report covering the December
31, 2020 consolidated financial statements refers to a change in presentation currency from Canadian dollars to US dollars, and a change
in the accounting for leases on the adoption of IFRS 16, Leases. KPMG LLP has offices at 777 Dunsmuir Street, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada, V7Y 1K3.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED
BY REFERENCE
We “incorporate by reference”
certain documents we have filed with the SEC, which means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to
those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and any information contained in
this prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the
extent that a statement contained in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus provided to you by us modifies or
supersedes the original statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to be a part of this prospectus. The following documents filed with the SEC are hereby incorporated by reference in this
prospectus:
Upon request, we will provide, without charge,
to each person who receives this prospectus, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by reference (other than exhibits to the
documents that are not specifically incorporated by reference in the documents). Please direct written or oral requests for copies to
our Corporate Secretary, at 102 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V5T 1A4, or by calling 1-604-428-7656.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND
MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the SEC a registration statement
on Form F-1 under the Securities Act (No. 333-222814) with respect to the common shares offered hereby. This prospectus does not contain
all of the information set forth in the registration statement, as amended, and the exhibits thereto, to which reference is hereby made.
With respect to each contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, reference is made to such
exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved. The registration statement, amendments thereto and the exhibits thereto
filed by us with the SEC may be inspected at the public reference facility of the SEC listed below.
The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that
contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the
SEC using its EDGAR system.
As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from
the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our executive officers, directors and
principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange
Act.
Up
to 4,501,268 Common Shares
Upon
Exercise of Warrants
ELECTRAMECCANICA
VEHICLES CORP.
Electrameccanica Vehicles (NASDAQ:SOLO)
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