$7,000, 84-mpg Commuter Car

[Kosh]

Fully enclosed like a standard automobile, the vehicle's three-wheel design falls under the U.S. government motorcycle classification.

Also if this ever catches on and becomes popular the unions will soon descend on this company and make their live miserable until they accept all their employees to be unionized.

Also you can not just take this car anywhere to get fixed, according to their website you have to take this to a Pepboys service center.

The Elio comes standard with a 3 year/36000 mile warranty!

I think it is great idea, just not sure how well it will hold up in accident.

Or hitting a deer on these back roads I drive.

According to the OP article: "As for its claim that this is a car and not a 3-wheeled motorcycle, Elio Motors points to the enclosed cabin and its underlying structure, which includes a reinforced roll cage and 50 percent larger crush zones than similar vehicles. The company even anticipates it getting a 5-star safety rating."
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It is three wheeled motorcycle and since there is no crash studies to be found anywhere on this vehicle, the claims are just that, claims.

So if you can provide a link to real crash studies that would help you in this.

 

[Star]

Or hitting a deer on these back roads I drive.

According to the OP article: "As for its claim that this is a car and not a 3-wheeled motorcycle, Elio Motors points to the enclosed cabin and its underlying structure, which includes a reinforced roll cage and 50 percent larger crush zones than similar vehicles. The company even anticipates it getting a 5-star safety rating."
.

It is three wheeled motorcycle and since there is no crash studies to be found anywhere on this vehicle, the claims are just that, claims.

So if you can provide a link to real crash studies that would help you in this.

I have no dog in this hunt. Why do think "that would help you in this." and-----and define what you mean by the broad brush term "this" and-----and if you have a bone to pick the Elias statement, why are you to lazy to look it up yourself?
.

 

[Moonglow]

I'm sorry, you have my sympathies.

How much are you willing to pay to get them back?

 

[percysunshine]

My bicycle gets an infinite number of miles per gallon....and it did not cost $7000.

.

 

[alan1]

I wonder what the oil oligarchs in Louisiana think of this "car" being built in their state?[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
Elio Motors highlights its $7,000, 84-mpg 3-wheeled car

As for its claim that this is a car and not a 3-wheeled motorcycle, Elio Motors points to the enclosed cabin and its underlying structure, which includes a reinforced roll cage and 50 percent larger crush zones than similar vehicles. The company even anticipates it getting a 5-star safety rating.

"What do you see when you look at the Elio?" Elio inquires on its website. "Fully enclosed, power windows, wiper blades, steering wheel, gas and brake pedals … you be the judge."

Of course, it also mentions that the vehicle is considered a motorcycle by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Its executives and lobbyists have some work to do in making the case that it is indeed a car and can be driven as such.

Elio Motors plans to begin production on the Elio by July 2014 in Shreveport, Louisiana. It held a press conference last week to announce its supply partners, and promised that not only will production be in the U.S., but 95 percent of materials will also be American-made. The more than 20 suppliers include Altair Engineering, IAV, NEWTECH 3, and Comau. It will provide more details about its plan for distribution and retail later this year.

With a few questions hanging over the Elio – including whether it will be able to finance its operations – it seems a bit early to start making reservations. The opportunity is available, however, starting at $100.

I am curious what the sentence I highlighted is supposed to mean. What constraints are put on how we would drive this vehicle by the government's classification of it as a motorcycle?

In many states, all occupants would have to wear helmets and the driver would have to have a motorcycle license.

If it's classified as a motorcycle you can use in the HOV lane, if not, then you can't (edit to add) unless both seats are occupied.

 

[Crick]

That could vary by state. Many years ago I was pulled over in California when I assumed that motorcycles were authorized to use the (then new) HOV lanes.

I should think an 84 mpg vehicle would get access to the HOV lanes in any case. Though here in Florida, they give access to any hybrid vehicle, even if its a hybrid Ford Excursion that gets perhaps 20 mpg; while small ICE-powered cars getting 40 mpg (like my Hyundai Elantra) are not.

 

[Jarlaxle]

It has a limited amount of storage space, particularly if its only carrying one person. It's not being marketed as a pickup truck or an SUV. If that's what you need, don't buy one of these. If you need to get one or two person to work every day, it looks fine.

It doesn't appear to have enough storage fir my wife and I do do our weekly grocery shopping, never mind carry anything of size in it.

There are plenty of cars with little or no storage..offhand, Mazda sells 30,000+ Miatas a year! The trunk on one will swallow a small overnight bag, a laptop case...or two full grocery bags. Maybe.

 

[Old Rocks]

It has a limited amount of storage space, particularly if its only carrying one person. It's not being marketed as a pickup truck or an SUV. If that's what you need, don't buy one of these. If you need to get one or two person to work every day, it looks fine.

It doesn't appear to have enough storage fir my wife and I do do our weekly grocery shopping, never mind carry anything of size in it.

PS, there are perfectly nice people living and/or working in urban settings just as there are complete scum living in the countryside. Look at you for goodness sake...

I haven't found many decent urban residents. Most of the jackholes in the country are transplanted urbanites.

Most people run with people like themselves. So what city are you transplanted from?

 

[Jarlaxle]

He lives just outside of Worcester, Massachusetts.

And yeah, there are plenty of bad neighborhoods in Worcester.

 

[House]

Looks like a motorcycle to me.

I'd say get states to write a helmet exemption for enclosed motorcycles into their laws and run with it.

It's pretty ridiculous to require a helmet if your entire body is basically inside one.