tonyspumoni
Elio Addict
There are of course any number of reasons to favor the concept of an American-built vehicle that offers exceptional efficiency, low cost, standard amenities, and a modicum of safety. It has been interesting to read accounts of those waiting for this vehicle and favoring one or more of these justifications. I grew up at the very low end of middle class and can clearly recall what food stamps looked like in the 70's. I did a stint in the service and then put myself through college. Money is no longer an issue for me and, since I run professionally and personally at the upper end of what I think is middle class, I had forgotten how tough it is to be there, though of course I well know that prosperity has largely skipped the many in favor of the few. So it has been somewhat of a reconnection with old familiarity to realize how very attractive the prospective is of being able to buy a new vehicle for those far less fortunate than me. For this alone the concept should be applauded and for this alone, should the Elio come to pass, Paul should be nominated for the Nobel in Economics. Sounds crazy, but why should a bunch of theorists win every year (I'm a PhD holder myself) who spin tales of fantasy such as the 'Efficient Market Theory' which, in particular, has done more to damage all of our finances more than any other philosophical proposition and for which its proponents should be hung by the longest yardarm.
What attracted me to the Elio is the prospects for doing something near the end of my life to make up for my heretofore spotty ecological record. I can be forgiven for driving hot, inefficient cars in my youth, but that was before words like 'carbon footprint', 'greenhouse gasses', and 'global warming' were even invented. Fully cognizant of my guilt, I first downsized to small cars, then went through series of Priuses, then two BMW diesels, and then finally gave up and now drive a Subaru. The Elio, more than anything currently available or on the drawing board, offers the chance to really un-do my gas guzzling and polluting blot. Their isn't enough available lithium on the planet to power a large fleet of battery vehicles and lithium is toxic as hell (there is currently no waste dump for lithium in the U.S. - it goes to Canada unless I'm misinformed). Diesel offers efficiency but much of this is a lie. Diesel gives more mpg, but each gallon of diesel also produces 14% more CO2 according to the EPA than a gallon of petrol, e.g. your diesel needs to be MORE than 14% more efficient to effect anything other than your wallet.
If the Elio comes to pass, I will use it to commute and keep my WRX for weekend thrill seeking. I will produce less CO2 and, while driving, I will endeavor to thrash the shit out of my Elio to demonstrate the ability to wring efficiency out of a technology fully capable of offering the same applied performance of other commuting platforms. And if I can find a way to put a ski rack on it, so much the better.
What attracted me to the Elio is the prospects for doing something near the end of my life to make up for my heretofore spotty ecological record. I can be forgiven for driving hot, inefficient cars in my youth, but that was before words like 'carbon footprint', 'greenhouse gasses', and 'global warming' were even invented. Fully cognizant of my guilt, I first downsized to small cars, then went through series of Priuses, then two BMW diesels, and then finally gave up and now drive a Subaru. The Elio, more than anything currently available or on the drawing board, offers the chance to really un-do my gas guzzling and polluting blot. Their isn't enough available lithium on the planet to power a large fleet of battery vehicles and lithium is toxic as hell (there is currently no waste dump for lithium in the U.S. - it goes to Canada unless I'm misinformed). Diesel offers efficiency but much of this is a lie. Diesel gives more mpg, but each gallon of diesel also produces 14% more CO2 according to the EPA than a gallon of petrol, e.g. your diesel needs to be MORE than 14% more efficient to effect anything other than your wallet.
If the Elio comes to pass, I will use it to commute and keep my WRX for weekend thrill seeking. I will produce less CO2 and, while driving, I will endeavor to thrash the shit out of my Elio to demonstrate the ability to wring efficiency out of a technology fully capable of offering the same applied performance of other commuting platforms. And if I can find a way to put a ski rack on it, so much the better.
Z
