The Elio is technically a motorcycle, but is a whole lot easier and safer to drive.
Most Americans–about 93%–drive to work alone. So why use a car that’s big enough for four? A new vehicle that’s half-motorcycle and half-car is designed to replace sedans and SUVs on morning commutes and help save money and emissions in the process: The Elio costs $6,800 and gets 84 miles to the gallon. It’s possible to drive 672 miles on a single tank of gas. That’s the distance from New York City to Detroit.
“The premise behind the concept is that most households have at least one vehicle that’s single occupant,” says Paul Elio, founder of Elio Motors. “Even if you have kids, you probably have an SUV or minivan, and then a small sedan with dust on the backseat. We can be that car.”
The Elio actually has two seats, set front to back for ideal aerodynamics, in case the driver needs to give someone a ride. Inside, it looks and acts pretty much like a car; it’s fully enclosed and has car seats and seatbelts, air bags, and options for manual or automatic transmission. It’s more like a car than this somewhat similar vehicle from Lit Motors. But because it has three wheels, it’s classified under law as a motorcycle.
The motorcycle classification leads to some strange consequences–in a few states, under current law, you’d have to wear a helmet even though the vehicle is enclosed. But it also has benefits. “As a motorcycle, you can go in the HOV lane by yourself,” Elio says. It also meant the vehicle can come to market more quickly, since there’s less red tape involved in manufacturing a motorcycle.
Even though regulations don’t require it, the company plans to comply with all standards for cars that apply. “We’re engineering to achieve a 5-star crash rating in all directions,” Elio says. “We’re going way beyond the minimum.” Still, there are a few idiosyncrasies–the headlights, for example, can’t comply with car standards because motorcycle lights are required to be brighter by law.
Because the vehicle is so lightweight–about half the weight of a typical small car–the company can save on materials costs. Elio has also tried to optimize other steps in manufacturing to keep costs down. “We get all 34 of our suppliers together once every four to six weeks and we work on the vehicle as a group. That’s never been done before. All of these things add up to a lower price.”
There are no guarantees of success. Aptera Motors developed a three-wheeled electric vehicle with much fanfare, but the company shut down in 2011.
When the vehicle comes to market next year, the Elio plans to have innovative financing to make the vehicle even easier to buy. “It’s actually cheaper to drive a brand new Elio than a clunker,” Elio says. The company will offer the option to buy the car with nothing but a special credit card for gas; every time someone buys gas, they’ll pay extra to make a car payment.
“If you buy $10 of gas, it will show up as a $30 charge on your statement–that $20 extra is your vehicle payment,” Elio explains. “As long as you drove into the dealership with something that gets 27 miles per gallon or less–and we know there are 100 million of those cars out there–you’ll be paying less, and you’ll have a brand new vehicle under warranty.”
You’ll also be helping reduce pollution. “If you drive it 20,000 miles per year, an Elio produces less emissions than one cow’s flatulence during the same time,” Elio says. “We’re cleaner than a cow. After 10 years of sales, we expect to save 8 billion gallons of gas.”
Click here for article on FastCoExist.com 672 Miles On A Tank Of Gas The Elio […]
Contact Us
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The volume of inquiries has been amazing over the last few weeks, we are working as hard as we can to keep up while still answering each email personally!
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Join the Elio Motors Team
There are currently no positions available at this time. However, as production draws closer, Elio Motors will be seeking talent to add to our existing team of the best and brightest.
Thank you for your desire to join the Elio Motors team.
I'm All In (Non-Refundable)
I Want In (Refundable)
$1,000
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Make your reservation now and you'll receive the next spot available in the production line, which is approximately 22,800. Your official number will be sent in the email within 6-8 weeks.
$500
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Make your reservation now at the $500 level and you will be behind the $1,000 “All In” level (approximately 22,800 reservation holders), and anyone that reserved at $500 before you. You can get your Elio sooner by moving up to the next level.
$250
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Make your reservation now at $250 and you will be behind the $1,000 “All In” level (approximately 22,800 reservation holders), the $500 “All In” level and the other reservation holders before you at this level. You can get your Elio sooner by moving up a level, or two!
$100
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Make your reservation now at $100 and you will be behind the $1,000 “All In” level (approximately 22,800 reservation holders), the $500 and $250 “All In” levels and the other reservation holders before you at this level. You can get your Elio sooner by moving up a level, or three!
$1,000
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Make your reservation now at the $1,000 level and you'll be behind all 4 levels of “All In” reservation holders and anyone that has made a $1,000 “Want In” reservation before you. You can get your Elio sooner by moving up levels.
$500
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Make your reservation now at this level and you'll be behind all 4 levels of “All ln” reservation holders, the $1000 “Want In” group, and everyone that has made a $500 “Want In” before you. You can get your Elio sooner by moving up levels
$250
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Make your reservation now at this level and you'll be behind all 4 levels of “All In” reservation holders and everyone that has made a $1000 and $500 “Want In” reservations and the $250 “Want In” reservations before you. You can get your Elio sooner by moving up levels.
$100
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Make your reservation now at this level and you'll be behind all 4 levels of “All In” reservation holders and everyone that has made a $1000, $500 and $250 and the $100 “Want In” before you. You can get your Elio sooner by moving up levels.
When do you want your Elio?SoonerLater
Reserve Your Elio Today!
Solidify your place in American automotive history (and the promise of pure driving fun!) by reserving your spot in line with either an “I’m All In” or “I Want In” reservation.
Click one of the three options below to get started.
This is the most popular choice for reservations. With an "All in" Reservation you:
- Receive a 25% bonus on your reservation amount.
- Join the highest priority list of reservation holders.
- Receive the limited edition Elio T-shirt and bumper sticker.
*MSRP excludes destination/delivery charges, taxes, title, registration, and options/installation.
I'M ALL IN
A limited time 25% bonus Limited Edition T-Shirt - Bumper Sticker
How close you are to the top of the Elio reservation list is based on when you reserve and which of the following four non-refundable levels you choose.
This gets you on the “next in line” list just behind the $250 group. We’ll also add a special bonus of $25 to your $100, for a total of $125 to apply to the purchase of your Elio. Plus, you will receive a limited edition Elio T-Shirt and bumper sticker. Upgradable reservation.
This gets you on the “next in line” list just behind the $500 group. We’ll also add a special bonus of $62.50 to your $250, for a total of $312.50 to apply to the purchase of your Elio. Plus, you will receive a limited edition Elio T-Shirt and bumper sticker. Upgradable reservation.
We’ll add a special bonus of $125 to your $500, for a total of $625 to apply to the purchase of your Elio. In addition, you will also receive a limited edition Elio T-Shirt and bumper sticker.
You will receive an email that specifies and confirms your position by number. We’ll also add a special bonus of $250 to your $1,000, for a total of $1,250 to apply to the purchase of your Elio. In addition, you will also receive a limited edition Elio T-Shirt and bumper sticker.
You will receive an email that specifies and confirms your position by number. We’ll also add a special bonus of $250 to your $1,000, for a total of $1,250 to apply to the purchase of your Elio. In addition, you will also receive a limited edition Elio T-Shirt and bumper sticker.
We’ll add a special bonus of $125 to your $500, for a total of $625 to apply to the purchase of your Elio. In addition, you will also receive a limited edition Elio T-Shirt and bumper sticker.
This gets you on the “next in line” list just behind the $500 group. We’ll also add a special bonus of $62.50 to your $250, for a total of $312.50 to apply to the purchase of your Elio. Plus, you will receive a limited edition Elio T-Shirt and bumper sticker. Upgradable reservation.
This gets you on the “next in line” list just behind the $250 group. We’ll also add a special bonus of $25 to your $100, for a total of $125 to apply to the purchase of your Elio. Plus, you will receive a limited edition Elio T-Shirt and bumper sticker. Upgradable reservation.
Welcome to "I Want In". From here, the sooner you sign up for your refundable reservation from the following levels, the sooner you’re on the reservation list, and that much closer to driving your Elio.
This assures you first-come-first-serve placement in the refundable reservation category and places you directly behind the “I Want In” $250 reservation.
This assures you first-come-first-serve placement in the refundable reservation category and places you directly behind the “I Want In” $250 reservation.