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raptor213

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While I would surely be interested in the MPGe and range figures for an all-electric Elio, I do wonder how the narrow footprint of the Elio's unique reverse-trike configuration would lend itself to adequate battery placement. The trunk and/or frunk would most likely need to be occupied by electrical powertrain components given the lack of ample space afforded by the vehicle chassis. An engineering problem to solve, no doubt, but by no means an impossibility.
 

RSchneider

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Wouldn't it be cool ?

Elon Musk has a talk with Paul Elio. Paul gets Elon interested in the Elio car. But, Elon is committed to electric so it doesn't look like he's going to help. Then an idea hits. Why not finance the Elio and get it into production. Then create the Elio model "E". Just drop a smaller version of the Tesla motor into the Elio and everyones happy.

I plan on holding my breath til this happens....
Hasn't this Idea of a rich guy just flooding Elio Motors with money been floated around before? You'd think that for such a great idea, that all of these rich guys would just throw money at it. Elio Motors has been around for a while yet no rich guy has shown up and given Elio a big check. I wonder if the market is broken for rich guys? Maybe this new turn of events where Elio is now on to fixing the climate change done by humans and our overly CO2 emission polluting SUV's, this will get the Elio in everyone's hands and we can spread the word of how man is destroying the planet and the only viable option is Elio.
 

Trusting

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While I would surely be interested in the MPGe and range figures for an all-electric Elio, I do wonder how the narrow footprint of the Elio's unique reverse-trike configuration would lend itself to adequate battery placement. The trunk and/or frunk would most likely need to be occupied by electrical powertrain components given the lack of ample space afforded by the vehicle chassis. An engineering problem to solve, no doubt, but by no means an impossibility.

Why not place the batteries where they do on the Tesla?

battery.jpg
 

RSchneider

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Why not place the batteries where they do on the Tesla?

battery.jpg
My i3 has them in the floor just like a Tesla. Plus BMW is now replacing them and using the old ones for batteries in a house. They don't do it in the US but they do in Europe. Plus you can upgrade your batteries too. The i3 is interesting because it's an aluminum chassis with a carbon fiber body. Everything in the car is made thin to save weight. At least it has the REX and I don't have to worry about running out of power.

As for Elio, I'd suspect they need more of a footprint for the floor to make it practical or at least make it a hybrid. At this point, that will be Elio 2.0. Right now just an 84mpg car is what they need to produce and use those profits to design and develop the next super elio.
 

larryboy

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Hasn't this Idea of a rich guy just flooding Elio Motors with money been floated around before? You'd think that for such a great idea, that all of these rich guys would just throw money at it. Elio Motors has been around for a while yet no rich guy has shown up and given Elio a big check. I wonder if the market is broken for rich guys? Maybe this new turn of events where Elio is now on to fixing the climate change done by humans and our overly CO2 emission polluting SUV's, this will get the Elio in everyone's hands and we can spread the word of how man is destroying the planet and the only viable option is Elio.

What about the Arabs? Before they murdered the journalist there were Saudis in the US trying to give people money to make fuel efficient cars or whatever. I don't know if Elio contacted them and I don't know how they replied but the game has changed. Some of the people they were trying to work with will, no doubt, slam the door in their faces. I don't know if Paul is willing to work with them but I am reminded of a quote from Churchill who said something like "If the devil declared war on Nazi Germany I would, at least, give him a favorable mention in the House of Commons". I don't give a damn who puts up the money that gets the Elio into production. If anyone in the Elio camp contacts these Arabs I hope they point out that while the Elio does not use very much gasoline Elio production will keep a whole bunch of EV's off the road and keep up the need for gasoline. I also think that when most of California's electricity is generated by wind and solar there will come an evening when the wind is low. A couple million Californians will come home from work, plug in their EV's, crank up the AC, put a pizza in the oven, put a load of clothes in the washer, turn on the TV and watch the lights dim out. Then the Elio will seem like a hell of a deal. No matter what your stance on climate or conservation there is a niche for the Elio. Lets fill it!
 

CrimsonEclipse

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While I would surely be interested in the MPGe and range figures for an all-electric Elio, I do wonder how the narrow footprint of the Elio's unique reverse-trike configuration would lend itself to adequate battery placement. The trunk and/or frunk would most likely need to be occupied by electrical powertrain components given the lack of ample space afforded by the vehicle chassis. An engineering problem to solve, no doubt, but by no means an impossibility.

The Solo has 2 long battery packs, one on each side of the driver, Tesla uses a big pancake, so there ARE options.
An electrical Elio would likely require a complete redesign. Franky, it would be an entirely new car.
But lessons from an ICE Elio would easily be applied to an electrical sibling including aerodynamics, suppliers and manufacturing.

It would be a simpler vehicle, but investment in such a project will have to wait until the ICE Elio is on the market.
 

Trusting

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I just happened to come across this pic of an Elio from a few years back. Is it just me or isn't this rear end design stylish and elegant... compared with the square black box they now intend to stick on the back. I understand the change was for (the holy grail) "gas mileage". But, come on, how much difference could it make? I hope Elio or maybe the after market will offer a swap out. Together with open fenders it changes an ugly duckling into a swan.

Imag68e1.jpg
 
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larryboy

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I just happened to come across this pic of an Elio from a few years back. Is it just me or isn't this rear end design stylish and elegant... compared with the square black box they now intend to stick on the back. I understand the change was for (the holy grail) "gas mileage". But, come on, how much difference could it make? I hope Elio or maybe the after market will offer a swap out. Together with a open fenders it changes an ugly duckling into a swan.

Imag68e1.jpg
I still think that a window in the back would make a rear seat passenger much happier and if it popped open an inch or three would make cruising around town nicer for both driver and passenger. Much less wind noise for the same amt. of ventilation.
 

Mel

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I still think that a window in the back would make a rear seat passenger much happier and if it popped open an inch or three would make cruising around town nicer for both driver and passenger. Much less wind noise for the same amt. of ventilation.

A window in the back would be of no practical use. One couldn't see out of it. And if it opened and the exhaust comes out the back of the vehicle, wind vortices would fill the interior with exhaust fumes.
 

raptor213

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Should a rear window turn out to be a popular customer request and it became a company-offered option, thinking practically, it shouldn't be that difficult to implement.

I imagine a scenario in which stock Elio vehicles would arrive at the customization centers, have the standard trunk lid removed, and replace it with one featuring a window cutout occupied by tinted tempered glass. Added options like rear window louvers for sporty exterior aesthetics and/or a rear window defroster may then become available.

Bottom line: IMHO, the basic design without a rear window is sufficient; however, the company should consider different options for the rear trunk lid (window, defrost, tint, wiper, louvers, etc).
 
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