Copying Tesla??

[BlioKart]

I could see it as a possibility but we are talking 5+ years from now. I think many things have to happen to get to that point. It would be interesting though not sure how big of a battery pack you could get in the Elio. I think it would require an entire redesign and in the end it wouldn't be cheap. The Elio concept works so much better with a ICE than electric motor. Anyone who wants an electric Elio better hope the Gigafactory cuts the cost in half to produce a battery pack.

 

[BrianRosenthal]

I know elio isnt going electric now, but i have a question for the future. since tesla said anyone can use their patents in good faith, which means you cant make a copy of the tesla, would elio be able to just take all their technology and have a production model out in no time. Since tesla did all the r and d, elio would save alot of money, or is the 3 wheel trike just so different from the tesla that they wouldnt be able to use much. what do you guys think.

This vehicle is already in development: look up Arcimoto. It's very similar to the Elio, but will cost $17,000 (without a shell).

$10,000 will fuel the Elio for 240,000 miles at $3.50/gal. Until gas gets much more expensive or batteries get cheaper, It's going to be hard to beat the Elio.

 

[evboy]

The problem with an electric Elio at this time is not one of technology but instead simply cost. In a few years, after Elio Motors is a success and battery technology has dropped in price, I definitely see an electric Elio being produced and available directly from Elio Motors.

I also have no doubt that very quickly after these vehicles hit the market we will see some owners converting them to hybrid or full electric drive however these projects will be done purely because the owner wishes to do it as the extra expense is nearly impossible to make up in vehicle as inexpensive and fuel efficient as the Elio.

goofy, i have a question. since the weight of the car contributes to range of a EV, wouldnt the range on a elio be much better than a leaf, or will the elio also be 80 miles because you cant put in the same size battery in the elio as the leaf. in theory, if you could fit the same battery in the elio thats in the leaf, the elio should get at least 150 miles. dont you think

 

[goofyone]

goofy, i have a question. since the weight of the car contributes to range of a EV, wouldnt the range on a elio be much better than a leaf, or will the elio also be 80 miles because you cant put in the same size battery in the elio as the leaf. in theory, if you could fit the same battery in the elio thats in the leaf, the elio should get at least 150 miles. dont you think

The low initial weight of the Elio is most definitely an advantage that I can see many people taking advantage off for aftermarket EV mods. The same size battery would definitely give you more range in an Elio. A quick check of an online EV range estimate calculator says that the Leafs 24 kwh 360V battery should be good for about 120 miles in a 1800 lb vehicle. This is what I would estimate and Elio with a nearly 500lb Leaf battery pack and a driver would weigh.

Along with cost, a new 24 kWh leaf battery pack is estimated to cost about 10K, there is also an issue with packaging and vehicle dynamics as the leafs battery pack weighs nearly 500 pounds so where it is placed becomes an especially critical consideration in a three wheeled vehicle.

 

[evboy]

The low initial weight of the Elio is most definitely an advantage that I can see many people taking advantage off for aftermarket EV mods. The same size battery would definitely give you more range in an Elio. A quick check of an online EV range estimate calculator says that the Leafs 24 kwh 360V battery should be good for about 120 miles in a 1800 lb vehicle. This is what I would estimate and Elio with a nearly 500lb Leaf battery pack and a driver would weigh.

Along with cost, a new 24 kWh leaf battery pack is estimated to cost about 10K, there is also an issue with packaging and vehicle dynamics as the leafs battery pack weighs nearly 500 pounds so where it is placed becomes an especially critical consideration in a three wheeled vehicle.

so you are saying at least 17k for a elio with leaf pack.i dont know how well that would sell since you can buy a leaf for 20k after the subsidy. i guess thats why paul decided to go with a ice engine. they cant mass produce a electric elio at this point.

 

[evboy]

so you are saying at least 17k for a elio with leaf pack.i dont know how well that would sell since you can buy a leaf for 20k after the subsidy. i guess thats why paul decided to go with a ice engine. they cant mass produce a electric elio at this point.

let me ask you this, do you think its possible to build a 4 wheel electric car for 17k that would cost 9500 after the subsidy. are the costs to much for a startup.

 

[Rickb]

It is more likely that Nissan would offer a three wheel Leaf option designed to look more like the Elio for around $17k less State and Federal Tax incentives. Similar to Toyota's i-Road Concept.

 

[evboy]

It is more likely that Nissan would offer a three wheel Leaf option designed to look more like the Elio for around $17k less State and Federal Tax incentives. Similar to Toyota's i-Road Concept.

the 7500 incentive is only for 4 wheel cars. there was a 2500 incentive for electric motorcycles but that expired. nissan should definitely be designing a cheaper 3 wheel electric.

 

[Mrtoycrazy]

http://www.caranddriver.com/nissan/leaf. I don't know why anyone would want one of this. I'd be worried about going even to the grocery store , which the one we like,is about 24 miles away. That is if I didn't have it plugged up for 8 hours before leaving.

 

[eddie66]

http://www.caranddriver.com/nissan/leaf. I don't know why anyone would want one of this. I'd be worried about going even to the grocery store , which the one we like,is about 24 miles away. That is if I didn't have it plugged up for 8 hours before leaving.

I think it's a cute little ride, but not for$28,000