Why Buy Elio (don't Worry, I'm All In)

[wizard of ahs]

It's apples and oranges...........but in the end...........we're all fruits

Elio all the way "in"

 

[Ty]

OK, so I work with a guy who is all gaga about the Tesla Model 3. I think it's pretty cool too, but I decided to do a little comparison to further convince myself I had already made the right decision by going All-In for an Elio (#14559). So let's do a little comparison.

(PLEASE NOTE: I am NOT attempting to bad mouth any particular vehicle manufacturer or models, I am only trying to provide information for entertainment purposes only - I am not associated with any manufacturer of any type of motorized conveyance. The only reason I chose to compare to this particular electric vehicle is that it is simply the most efficient one to compare to, and all others would fare much worse off. The contents of this posting are simply my opinions.)

Granted, the first thing is that they ARE NOT a head to head comparison. If you need to carry more than 2 people a majority of the time, the Elio is not for you. If you are like about 90% (my own estimate) of people who drive to work solo, then perhaps the Tesla is not for you. There is a lot of personal input to the equation of deciding what vehicle is right for you (and no amount of convincing is going to change a hard-core Tesla fan's mind). But if you know someone who is on the fence, then here are some nuggets to share.

Neither vehicle will be available until the 2018 model year.
Elio BASE price is advertised at $6800. Tesla Model 3 BASE price is advertised at $35,000.
Elio carries two people. Tesla carries 5.
Elio gets (expected) up to 84 MPG highway. Tesla gets (expected) up to 215 miles per charge.
(you are wondering by now - how is there any way to compare these two? Stay tuned.)
Fully loaded Elio should price out to about $14,173 (if you pick EVERY OPTION available on myelio.me). Fully loaded Model 3 - estimates running as high as $84,000!) [http://www.model3forum.com/threads/fully-loaded-model-3.41/]

With current supercharging stations installed, you could drive across the country, so long as you stop for at least 30 minutes every (215 miles x 80% =) 172 miles in your Tesla. Their website states 80% charge in as little as 30 minutes. You must also follow the (somewhat) limited path defined by the supercharging stations in a block like pattern across the map. The range above assumes you do not use ludicrous speed and drive it like granny.

With current gas stations (every few hundred yards) you can go any freakin' way you want to, about 575 miles at a time (let's not run it completely dry). And then fill up in about 3 minutes and be on your way.

COST OF FUEL:
MODEL 3
Model 3 base model battery will likely be 40kWh. Cost of electricity at home is $0.11 per kWh (in my area - your costs may be different, adjust accordingly). So a 100% charge will be 40 x $0.11 = $4.40 (this assumes 100% efficiency, which will not happen). Let's give them the benefit of the doubt and say they can attain 90% efficiency. Now the cost to "fill up" the Model 3 (at home) is $4.89.
$4.89 / 172 = $0.028 per mile (when filling at home - which will likely be a majority of miles driven)

On the road, the supercharging stations exist for a profit, so assume they will sell the electricity for $0.22 per kWh (since 100% is the standard retail markup). So now getting that 80% charge every 172 miles will run you $7.82 (that is calculated as $0.22 x 40 (kWh) x 0.8 (80% charge) / 0.9 (90% efficiency factor).
$7.82 / 172 = $0.045 per mile.

If you live in an area serviced by hydroelectric power, then there is little carbon footprint resulting from powering a Tesla. If, however, you live in an area where the primary sources of power are coal or nuclear, then the carbon footprint attributable to fueling an electric vehicle is (probably - I have nothing to back this up) greater than the less than a cow's farts impact of the Elio.

ELIO:
Drive 575 miles at 75.6 MPG (average - let's use that same 90% for grins, because it will not ALL be highway miles, and that mileage is EPA estimated at about 55 MPH, so let's be realistic), buy 7.6 gallons. Average price of regular gas is (pick a number) $2.25 = $17.10.
$17.10 / 575 = $0.0297 per mile. (and if you DO get 84 MPG, that cost is only $0.0267 per mile!)

SAFETY:
Both vehicles are "designed to meet 5 Star Safety Ratings"
The Elio needs an iPad mini (assume any iPad will work) for most features to work best.
The Tesla has a freakin' 17 inch LCD in full view of the driver. Talk about distracted driving!

There is no way it makes economic sense to buy any electric vehicle (ANY model) IF you are at all concerned about cost of ownership (I never thought it did, even without the option of owning an Elio). If you WANT one, then go that way. As for me and my $$, it's Elio all the way!

Figure it again, your cross country trip, that is but this time, remember that Tesla power stations are free for Tesla owners. Effectively, you'd pay zero for a trip across country. IF your place of employment offers free plug-ins, (some do/more will) your effective dollar per mile cost is zero.

 

[Mike Badgle]

Figure it again, your cross country trip, that is but this time, remember that Tesla power stations are free for Tesla owners. Effectively, you'd pay zero for a trip across country. IF your place of employment offers free plug-ins, (some do/more will) your effective dollar per mile cost is zero.

OK, so let's say the Tesla per mile cost is $0.00
New math: $35,000 - $6800 (base models) = $28,200 cost to acquire
Annual costs: registration, insurance, etc. Elio continues to be cheaper.

Elio cost per mile = $0.0297 (using the higher cost, just to give Tesla the edge)
$28,200 / $0.0297 = 949,494 miles I have to drive the Tesla make it an equal economic option, IF the Tesla is indeed free energy (some employers may not give free charging, and some charging will occur at home, even if it topping off).

I like the Elio even better now!

 

[johnsnownw]

Hello from a long time lurker.

Just to point out a few things:

1. The cost of gasoline is highly variable.
2. The Elio's current base price is $7600
3. The current mpg of the Elio is mid 70s (computer analysis)
4. The base price of the M3 does not take into account the federal incentive, nor State incentives in popular markets.

That's the practical issues I noticed, serious feature differences aside.

 

[Coss]

Hello from a long time lurker.

Just to point out a few things:

1. The cost of gasoline is highly variable.
2. The Elio's current base price is $7600
3. The current mpg of the Elio is mid 70s (computer analysis)
4. The base price of the M3 does not take into account the federal incentive, nor State incentives in popular markets.

That's the practical issues I noticed, serious feature differences aside.

You're just a little off with your figures;
It's not $7,600 it's still $6,800 MSRP base price.
The MPG figures are around 80

The Federal incentives are changing, as to the full information behind it, there are a number of EV people here on the board; you might want to talk to them.

 

[johnsnownw]

You're just a little off with your figures;
It's not $7,600 it's still $6,800 MSRP base price.
The MPG figures are around 80

The Federal incentives are changing, as to the full information behind it, there are a number of EV people here on the board; you might want to talk to them.

No, $7600 is what Elio says it's currently sitting at, with $6800 being the target. Paul has also said that they've only been able to reach the mid-70's in their analysis. That was straight from his mouth...so if you have another citation I'm welcome to being corrected.

 

[johnsnownw]

Edit:

Just re-watched the video, Paul said they were at 81.6mpg. Said it could go up, or down, but would definitely be over 75 (which is what I was originally drawing from).

I would say it's not particularly concrete, at this point.

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

OK, so I work with a guy who is all gaga about the Tesla Model 3. I think it's pretty cool too, but I decided to do a little comparison to further convince myself I had already made the right decision by going All-In for an Elio (#14559). So let's do a little comparison....!

The Tesla is the birthing cry of the electrical revolution. It's better than gasoline in every way. Period.
(well, except refill times and station diversity)

The Elio is a long overdue simplification of the gasoline auto.

Can the Iphone replace the desktop computer?
It actually HAS in many ways and can do the job of MOST applications.
Has the PC world gone away?
No, it has contracted, but changed to fill certain areas that it specializes in. (PC gaming, VR, home theater)
The Iphone Ipad to PC ratio will gradually change in favor of the iphone and the android competitors and their respective app models.

Same with the EV -vs- ICE.

Think of the Tesla vehicles as the Iphone 3, 4 and 4S, there is still a LOT of room for growth and innovation.

The Elio is more like a Chromebook.

(full disclosure: I prefer Android and Gaming PC's)
((Iphones are still a more appropriate analogy))

 

[W. WIllie]

And this relates to "WHY BUY ELIO" in what way.?

 

[Coss]

The Tesla is the birthing cry of the electrical revolution. It's better than gasoline in every way. Period.
(well, except refill times and station diversity)

The Elio is a long overdue simplification of the gasoline auto.

Can the Iphone replace the desktop computer?
It actually HAS in many ways and can do the job of MOST applications.
Has the PC world gone away?
No, it has contracted, but changed to fill certain areas that it specializes in. (PC gaming, VR, home theater)
The Iphone Ipad to PC ratio will gradually change in favor of the iphone and the android competitors and their respective app models.

Same with the EV -vs- ICE.

Think of the Tesla vehicles as the Iphone 3, 4 and 4S, there is still a LOT of room for growth and innovation.

The Elio is more like a Chromebook.

(full disclosure: I prefer Android and Gaming PC's)
((Iphones are still a more appropriate analogy))

Good points; but not valid when it comes to business applications. I don't think you're going to see all business with users having just a phone or a Chromebook.

Just for an example, would you want H&R Block doing your multi-form business taxes on an iPhone?
Note, just an example

Mobile phones, notebooks and Tablets are good for social apps, games, "some" businesses but not all,

Until that day comes, there will always be 2 different worlds of use.

****Note***** These have been just examples and not intended to be a locked in situation (for those that find it necessary to pick out just certain items and want to make a big deal out of nothing)

The BS that some get hung up on is just mind numbing at times.