What Age Buyers?

[Rickb]

You know the Volt is not an electric car, right? It's a PHEV that gets 380 miles on a tank of gas. And that the Tesla, while not "practical" for 90% of the population due to cost, does not have range problems at 300 miles/charge and is by any accounting a profitable success?

I think the "green" people will come on board faster than you think. With the light weight, outstanding MPG, and lack of toxic-metal exotic battery and no use of coal-generated electricity, the Elio is "greener" than any Pious could hope to be.

I do not think we will see an electric Elio in the near future. Or ever if Paul is as smart as I think he is. It would destroy two of the Elio's four fundamental advantages: Low cost and light weight. Batteries of sufficient capacity are either very heavy or very, very expensive. Take your pick. The tandem layout leaves very little room for battery packs. Consider the entire floor of the Telsa is a giant, expensive, exotic battery pack. Despite using the lightest battery material available - lithium - the Tesla still tips the scales at a Bentley-esque 2-1/4 tons! More than 3.5 times the weight of an Elio.

Elio is already light weight and with hub motors requiring a much smaller battery pack......say 10 kWh with regen braking.....sized at 1/3 to 1/8 the normal battery pack and a 200 + mile range makes it feasible as a City Commuter option......and yes a more expensive option............and make it a a tilter too. I want one in the distant future after Elio becomes a household name. Elio may have to offer an EV Model to stay competitive in the market place as battery technology becomes more affordable along with increased range.

Someone will no doubt do an after market EV mod Elio.

 

[Ty]

Count me as one of those to old or maybe wise to ride in 40 degree weather. Have become a fair weather rider in my old age but have rode through Yosemite with snow on the ground and across Wolfcreek pass below freezing in my youth.

I feel your pain... note my avatar. Spring in Minot, ND. The snow was still deep but the roads were mostly dry.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Erm... yes, that's my point is the Elio is lightweight with a gas engine, and would not be with an electric motor(s) and sufficient batteries. I think hub motors are a terrible idea, increasing unsprung weight and putting the most expensive part of the drivetrain that relies on tight tolerances into a place where it experiences the most vibration and impact forces in normal driving. Musk looked at that and decided it was a bad idea for the Tesla's.

"Leaning" also adds lots of unnecessary complexity that will do little to improve economy, performance, or handling in a wide-stance vehicle like the Elio. If you make it lean, the rear wheel also has to lean. Think about the complexity in making that happen. Performance cars do their best to eliminate lean.

I also have no doubt there will be aftermarket EV conversions, and people who are bad at math to buy them.

 

[ElioDigger]

40-50 once the dust clears. right now it is an older group since they have the cash to part with.

 

[Craig]

You know the Volt is not an electric car, right? It's a PHEV that gets 380 miles on a tank of gas. And that the Tesla, while not "practical" for 90% of the population due to cost, does not have range problems at 300 miles/charge and is by any accounting a profitable success?

I think the "green" people will come on board faster than you think. With the light weight, outstanding MPG, and lack of toxic-metal exotic battery and no use of coal-generated electricity, the Elio is "greener" than any Pious could hope to be.

I do not think we will see an electric Elio in the near future. Or ever if Paul is as smart as I think he is. It would destroy two of the Elio's four fundamental advantages: Low cost and light weight. Batteries of sufficient capacity are either very heavy or very, very expensive. Take your pick. The tandem layout leaves very little room for battery packs. Consider the entire floor of the Telsa is a giant, expensive, exotic battery pack. Despite using the lightest battery material available - lithium - the Tesla still tips the scales at a Bentley-esque 2-1/4 tons! More than 3.5 times the weight of an Elio.

You are right on the money with this post.

 

[msmith5150]

I'll be 40 in just over 2 months *GASP*

I've been a diesel tech for nearly 20 years and I make pretty decent money for having no college education. The wife (we just celebrated 12 years) has returned to school to finish her degree so hopefully she'll be able to find a decent paying job too to help bolster our income. So I am deeply entrenched in the "working class" crowd. I just want the Elio so I can have a reliable set of wheels to get back and forth to work with, and that will allow for greater range when we buy our next house we can look a bit further away from the city. Find a nice place with a bit of land, peace and quiet! Somewhere for the future grandkids to play and such

 

[Terrence]

I'll be 40 in just over 2 months *GASP*

I've been a diesel tech for nearly 20 years and I make pretty decent money for having no college education. The wife (we just celebrated 12 years) has returned to school to finish her degree so hopefully she'll be able to find a decent paying job too to help bolster our income. So I am deeply entrenched in the "working class" crowd. I just want the Elio so I can have a reliable set of wheels to get back and forth to work with, and that will allow for greater range when we buy our next house we can look a bit further away from the city. Find a nice place with a bit of land, peace and quiet! Somewhere for the future grandkids to play and such

Another reality here, the always increasing price of fuel! I also what an Elio to get to work and return home, while with comfort, enclosed, 5 star safe and 84 mpg hwy! Not to forget a motor and trans designed lightweight for this mileage purpose, stability control, roll cage/frame,quality parts at value cost, tandem aerodynamic design, a motor which should easily see 200,000 miles (per elio motor posting)! Be careful with the various heavy diesel parts/equipment you have another twenty years to retirement my Elio friend! Even if your an injector specialist, caution to your back. Reserving an Elio, you made a sound decision for you and your family!
Peace be with you.
Terrence

 

[Rickb]

Erm... yes, that's my point is the Elio is lightweight with a gas engine, and would not be with an electric motor(s) and sufficient batteries. I think hub motors are a terrible idea, increasing unsprung weight and putting the most expensive part of the drivetrain that relies on tight tolerances into a place where it experiences the most vibration and impact forces in normal driving. Musk looked at that and decided it was a bad idea for the Tesla's.

"Leaning" also adds lots of unnecessary complexity that will do little to improve economy, performance, or handling in a wide-stance vehicle like the Elio. If you make it lean, the rear wheel also has to lean. Think about the complexity in making that happen. Performance cars do their best to eliminate lean.

I also have no doubt there will be aftermarket EV conversions, and people who are bad at math to buy them.

Complexity = Fun! I contacted Tilting Motor Works about the possibility of engineering an aftermarket tilting trike kit for the Elio. The email back expressed interest. They currently build a tilting conversion kit for Harley's.

If neither option is feasible it won't happen, but there are a lot of creative can do people out there. I personally think a tilting three wheeler Elio would be a blast to drive.......and fun to think about as a future option. Will I see it happen........not........I'm old.

 

[wesley]

I honestly think that a lot of young buyers will look into this as a first car. maybe a first part time job transport. I know I would have loved something like this a few years ago. plus the looks of the car set it apart from other vehicles which does make it more intriguing for younger people not to mention the price point and warranty at that. I should know I'm only 20 and took the plunge for all in and am waiting on my number atm.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

Welcome Wesley and congratulations! You are one of the intended demographics.
Now, go out and recruit about 185,000 of your friends so we can get this thing done.