Elios Mileage Range Vs Storage

[Gregw]

Let's review the topic;
Yesterday (Wednesday 6-22-16) Gregw posted:
The Elio has an 8 gallon gas tank with a range over 650 miles, no car I've ever owned had or needed that kind of range. Why not reduce the tank to 4-5 gallons and use that saved space for additional storage?

So tell us gregw, have we answered your question?

I learned that 4 less gallons of fuel will not increase the depth of the trunk area, (My first assumption) but could be utilized under the back seat. The changes required to utilize that space i'm not clear on. ordering a smaller fuel tank is easy and cheaper, other modifications could be easy too at this pre-production stage. The role of these 25 cars is to work out the bugs before final tooling is created. As an Architect I make last minute changes to muli-million dollar buildings all the time, some changes are easily done, others are costly. I know the difference in building, but not cars. So when someone says you have to modify the car frame and that's not doable, I don't necessarily buy it. Some structural changes in a building are easy and save money, others are a deal breaker.

This will have no effect on me buying an Elio, it is just a suggestion that "could" create a bit more storage at no additional cost.

 

[BiloxiGeek]

I think the cost would come down to two different designs. Individual parts from one design wouldn't work on the other. Divergence gets costly and at this stage of the game Elio needs to avoid unnecessary costs. Maybe the second or third model year could have a version for in town users that don't need/want the eight gallon tank and another version more like the original design.

But for now sticking with the plan as is helps keep costs down which helps get them into production.

P.S. I don't design cars or buildings... But making a change to a building design changes that one building. Making a change to a car design could (potentially anyway) could effect thousands maybe millions of units. Not quite the same thing.

 

[Gregw]

I think the cost would come down to two different designs. Individual parts from one design wouldn't work on the other. Divergence gets costly and at this stage of the game Elio needs to avoid unnecessary costs. Maybe the second or third model year could have a version for in town users that don't need/want the eight gallon tank and another version more like the original design.

But for now sticking with the plan as is helps keep costs down which helps get them into production.

P.S. I don't design cars or buildings... But making a change to a building design changes that one building. Making a change to a car design could (potentially anyway) could effect thousands maybe millions of units. Not quite the same thing.

Agreed, I am not suggesting this as an option, but designed into the base car. This change would put the cars range equal to most cars on the road today and create a bit more storage. That's reasonable and if that change has little to no cost at this stage, it's worth doing.

 

[bunchathrees]

Something I find interesting is the wide variety of expectations for this one vehicle.

Personally, I want the highest MPG so that when I drive like an idiot, I'll still burn much less fuel than I would in another vehicle. Single occupant commuting. Someone else will have to drive the lunch bus.

 

[Gregw]

Something I find interesting is the wide variety of expectations for this one vehicle.

Personally, I want the highest MPG so that when I drive like an idiot, I'll still burn much less fuel than I would in another vehicle. Single occupant commuting. Someone else will have to drive the lunch bus.

Yes it is interesting. I want the highest MPG as well but for completely different reasons. I am semi-retired which means I have 3-5 day weekends all the time. So looking at a map, I see Copper Harbor Michigan, hmmm, never been there before, let's see that's about 1500 miles round trip, divide by 80 mpg = 19 gallons of fuel x $2.30/gal = $44 bucks, I can afford that and but good beer. Start packing.

 

[BiloxiGeek]

Agreed, I am not suggesting this as an option, but designed into the base car. This change would put the cars range equal to most cars on the road today and create a bit more storage. That's reasonable and if that change has little to no cost at this stage, it's worth doing.

I know for myself the 600+ mile range is a major selling point. Right now I get 4 commutes from one tank of gas in my 2010 Chevy Cobalt and have enough still in the tank in case the gas station I usually use is out, pumps down or whatever. That's 84 miles x 4 work days per fillup. With the 8 gallon tank in the Elio I should easily get seven commutes from one tank. I really like that extended range.

 

[Gregw]

I know for myself the 600+ mile range is a major selling point. Right now I get 4 commutes from one tank of gas in my 2010 Chevy Cobalt and have enough still in the tank in case the gas station I usually use is out, pumps down or whatever. That's 84 miles x 4 work days per fillup. With the 8 gallon tank in the Elio I should easily get seven commutes from one tank. I really like that extended range.

And I suspect you are in the majority, it was an idea I thought worth talking about while we wait.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Yes it is interesting. I want the highest MPG as well but for completely different reasons. I am semi-retired which means I have 3-5 day weekends all the time.

If you can't do a 3-5 day trip with a bag that fits in the trunk of the Elio, you might be a clothes-horse.

Also, if they were to halve the size of the gas tank, it would probably cost about the same as the 8 gallon tank. The manufacturing process is the same, and the difference in materials cost would be very small. Probably past the point of diminishing returns.

If you haven't looked at the E1 (really, P6) body photos, the space you are looking for looks like it will be in two "smuggler's boxes" above the rear wheel, covered by the rear wheel shroud.

 

[Gregw]

If you can't do a 3-5 day trip with a bag that fits in the trunk of the Elio, you might be a clothes-horse.

Also, if they were to halve the size of the gas tank, it would probably cost about the same as the 8 gallon tank. The manufacturing process is the same, and the difference in materials cost would be very small. Probably past the point of diminishing returns.

If you haven't looked at the E1 (really, P6) body photos, the space you are looking for looks like it will be in two "smuggler's boxes" above the rear wheel, covered by the rear wheel shroud.

I'm camping, cooking and carry a folding bike, doing this ya need all the storage you can get. From what folks have said on this thread that space above the rear tire is unavailable, do you know different.

 

[Jim H]

I hear diet is the cheapest way to save weight in the car...

Getting ready for my Elio so I've changed my diet and have lost 45 lbs.