Laingan.com

My sister and I went to Far East Square for shopping at Orchard in December 2007. I parked my car at the basement carpark and I saw a bright-orange rare vehicle that caught my eyes instantly. However, I cannot figure out what it was because it doesn’t look like a normal car. This toy-like rare vehicle has 3 wheels and a steering wheel. Its seat is only enough for one passenger.

We were very excited and delighted to see this 3-wheeled vehicle. I was so curious and I rushed towards it to have a closer look. I got my camera and took a few pictures of this rare vehicle. Other on-lookers were as curious as us and they went closer to scrutinise it.

A few months later, I read an article reported in the Straits Times talking about this 3-wheeled rare vehicle too. Then, I get to know that this bright-orange 3-wheeled vehicle is actually an electric car. Its name is called Corbin Sparrow. In fact, this is the only 3-wheeled and single-passenger car registered in Singapore. Its car owner is a teacher at the American school by the name of James Diebley. He imported the car from California-based Corbin Motors back in 2001.

The Corbin Sparrow electric car runs on lead-acid batteries which cost less than $1 SGD a day to charge. It can run with a top speed of 110kmh and a range of 30-50 km. This 3-wheeled vehicle is classified as a motorcycle in some countries but it is registered as a car over here in Singapore.

According to the Land Transport Authority of Singapore, the Sparrow exceeded the 400kg maximum weight for a motorcycle. It weighs about 700kg and ‘has several car-like features such as a steering wheel, an enclosed body and doors’, said a spokesman. The Sparrow is powered by 13 lead-acid batteries which drive an electric motor connected to the rear wheel via a belt. It has a top speed of about 110kmh and a range of 30-50km.

I think it is not important whether or not the Corbin Sparrow is a car or a motorcycle. It is indeed a very unique vehicle. If you want to get famous, probably you should get a Corbin Sparrow and drive it around. You will definitely gain a lot of attention and attract many on-lookers to admire your 3-wheeled single-passenger eletric vehicle.