I understand the federal government classifies the three wheeled Elio as a motorcycle. Can a state create their own classification for a vehicle or, are they forced to used the federal government’s classification?
In California, the pollution regulations are much less restrictive for motorcycles. However, in California, the regulators have control issues and have a need to have complete control over everything. I fear if Elios are registered in California in large numbers, there will be an attempt to regulate them and force on them the same pollution requirements as automobiles. This would add tremendously to the cost of the vehicle. Elio Motors can: a) add the pollution equipment to all vehicles keeping the design and manufacturing uniform but forcing people in all states to pay for California’s pollution equipment even though it is not needed in their state; b) create a California model and a 49 state model as they did years ago; or c) stop selling the vehicles in California.
This is the reason I went “All In” when I did. I wanted to get an early vehicle grandfathered in as a motorcycle before California titles them as something else in order to regulate them.
California is a large state with a very large car market and can force things on the rest of the nation. Although I currently live in California, I am originally from the Midwest. I am tired of California bullying the rest of the nation.
I have never purchased a new car in my life. The Elio will be the first, because I like it so much. It is not for serving other people. It is not for hauling kids, other people, or cargo around. It has the feel of existing for the sole purpose of the owner. It has a personal feel to it. It is the kind of car a person can have a personal and sentimental attachment to.
Good luck to the Elio and its creators.
In California, the pollution regulations are much less restrictive for motorcycles. However, in California, the regulators have control issues and have a need to have complete control over everything. I fear if Elios are registered in California in large numbers, there will be an attempt to regulate them and force on them the same pollution requirements as automobiles. This would add tremendously to the cost of the vehicle. Elio Motors can: a) add the pollution equipment to all vehicles keeping the design and manufacturing uniform but forcing people in all states to pay for California’s pollution equipment even though it is not needed in their state; b) create a California model and a 49 state model as they did years ago; or c) stop selling the vehicles in California.
This is the reason I went “All In” when I did. I wanted to get an early vehicle grandfathered in as a motorcycle before California titles them as something else in order to regulate them.
California is a large state with a very large car market and can force things on the rest of the nation. Although I currently live in California, I am originally from the Midwest. I am tired of California bullying the rest of the nation.
I have never purchased a new car in my life. The Elio will be the first, because I like it so much. It is not for serving other people. It is not for hauling kids, other people, or cargo around. It has the feel of existing for the sole purpose of the owner. It has a personal feel to it. It is the kind of car a person can have a personal and sentimental attachment to.
Good luck to the Elio and its creators.
