The more I look at these, the more convinced I am that 3 wheel makes way more sense than 4 wheel on many levels. Got me to wondering if an enclosed 2 side by side wheel vehicle would be doable. Kinda like a very large segway with a cabin.
Well, yes, that's more of a City Car solution. There are two self balancing
types out there, one is the Lit Motors C1, and then at least one or two Japanese prototype/concepts out there. Search GizMag Automotive for the prototypes, they are single seat Segway like vehicles.
The Lit motors is a inline seating, possibly a two seat in the future, front and rear wheels, balanced by two gyro's that also act as a kinetic energy battery. A really cool implementation. But I find one issue with it, that won't affect everyone. It kind of wobble-leans, just a little as it goes. That may make a few people car sick. Irritate a few more. Hopefully that will be cleaned up in the production version.
I would not consider it competition to the Elio since it's priced at a premium of $24K or more, and not likely to ever be priced lower. Those gyros and controls cost extra. The novelty factor alone will also get them extra profit. As a product, it's not really in the same market as the Elio.
I should also say, a Segway type vehicle must be electric in current technology. And that pushes it in a higher priced product line than the Elio.
The basic aerodynamics are fairly predictable, inline seating will get higher MPGs at freeway speeds. If you mostly go city-speeds then the aerodynamics get less important and sociable seating becomes a little more attractive.
With it's layout and minimalist hardware, Elio is a highly optimal Freeway ready-all weather commuter at super good pricing, and looks exceptionally cool. That wins my heart.