We Need Cheap, Or Better Still We Need Elio

[AriLea]

I found this interesting to our focus.
From (link http://www.designnews.com/author.as...,industry_alt,kw_33,aid_277584&dfpLayout=blog

Here's the take-away: The vehicle needs to fit the budget. In my case that's cheap as possible. So it ain't going to be electric, for now. (BTW, I'm keeping my eye on Flow-Batteries)
From the article:

A recent study by TrueCar.com stated the obvious: People with higher incomes purchase battery electric cars. The study showed that buyers of the Ford Focus EV had an average household income of $199,000 a year, whereas the buyers of the gas-burning Focus averaged $77,000 a year. Similarly, buyers of the Fiat 500e electric car earned $145,000, while gas-burning Fiat 500 owners came in at $73,000.

 

[ecdriver711]

Yep, still out of my income range and driving range.

 

[AriLea]

Yep, still out of my income range and driving range.

Pretty funny though, if anyone here said Elio were "creepy stupid cars and a waist of time to ever consider", how noisy would this forum get?

Well, that's how some people on the EVDL reader list responded to that article on EV's. But of course EV enthusiasts often have a hefty political mindset to them and that adds to the fire.

Anyway, my point was about incomes matching a customer-groups needs which the Elio is perfect to satisfy. And of course, that's outside the broadest customer base of EV's.

On the other hand, an Elio is maybe a perfect match for a two car household with one EV and one Elio.

 

[WilliamH]

I found this interesting to our focus.
From (link http://www.designnews.com/author.as...,industry_alt,kw_33,aid_277584&dfpLayout=blog

Here's the take-away: The vehicle needs to fit the budget. In my case that's cheap as possible. So it ain't going to be electric, for now. (BTW, I'm keeping my eye on Flow-Batteries)
From the article:

A recent study by TrueCar.com stated the obvious: People with higher incomes purchase battery electric cars. The study showed that buyers of the Ford Focus EV had an average household income of $199,000 a year, whereas the buyers of the gas-burning Focus averaged $77,000 a year. Similarly, buyers of the Fiat 500e electric car earned $145,000, while gas-burning Fiat 500 owners came in at $73,000.

You have to wonder how many of them own the electric as their primary or only car.
You also have to wonder how many of them commute more than 60 miles a day.

 

[AriLea]

You have to wonder how many of them own the electric as their primary or only car.
You also have to wonder how many of them commute more than 60 miles a day.

I just got an response in the EVDL, that what I should do is live closer than 42 miles to my work.
Pretty much why I keep 'true believer' EV people out of my world. Can you imagine all people living closer than 30miles to work? It creates super-slums among other issues and very few people like that.

If I got the BMW i3 suggested by the group, I'd have to charge at both stop points for n hours each day. How would I be able to shop after work? And I must, because I'm the only one who can for the items/purpose involved. How long will that battery pack last cycling 3 times daily? How would I sleep?

I unsubscribed from the EVDL, just too crazy. Fortunately, most EV aware people are more worldly (and hardly ever claim to be actual EV people).
Don't get me wrong, I love EV drive. But it's not 'there' yet for most of us.

 

[Rickb]

I just got an response in the EVDL, that what I should do is live closer than 42 miles to my work.
Pretty much why I keep 'true believer' EV people out of my world. Can you imagine all people living closer than 30miles to work? It creates super-slums among other issues and very few people like that.

If I got the BMW i3 suggested by the group, I'd have to charge at both stop points for n hours each day. How would I be able to shop after work? And I must, because I'm the only one who can for the items/purpose involved. How long will that battery pack last cycling 3 times daily? How would I sleep?

I unsubscribed from the EVDL, just too crazy. Fortunately, most EV aware people are more worldly (and hardly ever claim to be actual EV people).
Don't get me wrong, I love EV drive. But it's not 'there' yet for most of us.

EVs are getting there and will be more widely accepted as soon as existing technology allows for a more affordable battery with an extended 400-500 mile range that eliminates range anxiety. It will happen soon.

If the Toyota i-Road EV makes it to market as a City PMV I will buy one in a flash as an & vehicle for short commutes in a fun tilting autoscooter.

 

[trock59]

I would love to have an affordable EV for local transportation. With my budget I'd be looking at an LSV (golf cart) however they are only allowed on roads w/ speed limits less than 45 and both ways to town are posted 55mph. Can't ride a bike anymore so the Elio is my best option (other than continuing @ 14-16mpg for the 18 mile trip). If I can sleep in the factory I'll head to Shreveport to help build them when the line gets going. I don't get mine until we get 26,619 built first!

 

[Hotscoots]

I will probably not own a fully electric car in my lifetime . Nothing to do with my net worth but "The Nuisance factor "is too high ..

- Short range
- Expensive drive train replacements
- Expensive purchase price ( Volt , glorified Malibu for $45k)
- Lack of adequate charging stations
- Lack of adequate maintenance mechanics

 

[JEBar]

I will probably not own a fully electric car in my lifetime . Nothing to do with my net worth but "The Nuisance factor "is too high ..

- Short range
- Expensive drive train replacements
- Expensive purchase price ( Volt , glorified Malibu for $45k)
- Lack of adequate charging stations
- Lack of adequate maintenance mechanics

we have owned 1 .... hopefully never again .... we found all of the above to be true plus electric vehicles are built to provide service in a very narrow band .... mostly, short distance commuting

 

[AriLea]

buyers of the Fiat 500e electric car earned $145,000, while gas-burning Fiat 500 owners came in at $73,000.

I'm reminded of something, Did we have a poll taken in this forum for income level?

My supposition has been there's 10 people willing to buy, for each person having taken a reservation.
I'm thinking the Elio will attract all of medium-high, medium and low income people. High because 'Green oriented' and medium 'money conscious' people will like it, but also 'money tight' will like it. So the average Elio buyer could be as low as $50K, and that those 50% under $50K are not fully represented by current reservation holders.

On the other hand I've met any number of 'money conscious' people who want it but won't risk $100 until they see the 'whites of it's eyes' of a production model. I think the medium and upward are more fully represented, since the expenditure is less dramatic for them.

Did anyone see a statistic of median incomes for all reservation holders, or this forum for that mater?

Although this forum is skewed as well, I would think, since from the age poll we find the mode-average is over 62, with the median average at just under 56. Although that may hold up a bit for all holders, since these age groups over 50 may be more willing/able than others to risk a deposit.

(Note: About 60% of the US population in under 55)