Copying Tesla??

[evboy]

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.

 

[Mrtoycrazy]

Cost of batteries ,weight,and mileage range would make it a different vehicle .

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

the 3 wheel trike just so different from the tesla that they wouldnt be able to use much.

You've answered your own question.

If it was so simple, couldn't they just use the technology from 150 years of producing multi-wheeled internal combustion engine vehicles and have a production model out in no time?

 

[Ty]

I would think it would be far more simple to put a hub motor in that lone rear wheel and keep everything else the same. $3,500 for the hub motor and batteries. Using only $535 in fuel a year as is, it'd be hard to find an electric drive cheap enough to have a reasonable pay back timeframe. The hub motor is a 100hp retrofit kit that I believe is one of the cheapest ways to hybridize a car (hybridize is my word but feel free to use it). It would take just over 6 1/2 years to pay for it. If they were to ditch the ICE and discount the hub, it could make a fun little electric without being too much more expensive. Plus, it'd be much quicker. I'd be in... if the range was over 100 miles.

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

100 HP hub motor? I'm dubious. That's 75,000 Watts. Even at 300 Volts like in the Volt, that would be 250 Amperes. That would be two cables as thick as your thumbs running to your hub motor.

Assuming 80% efficiency, that hub motor would still have to dissipate 15,000 Watts of heat. That's over 50,000 BTU of heat. Smells very, very fishy to me.

 

[aknaten]

Elio should look into adapting the Wavecrest motor (used on my Tidalforce electric bicycle.) We could have a 3 wheel drive electric vehicle.

http://www.evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=525
http://evworld.com/article.cfm?storyid=715

17 million dollars went into this motor: http://www.google.com/patents/US6492756

 

[Gas-Powered Awesome]

17 million dollars went into this motor: http://www.google.com/patents/US6492756

And apparently it bankrupted them. They went out of business in 2006!

Elio is smart; he's stayed away from electrics.

 

[Rickb]

Check out Protean Electric's new hub motors.......speaking of 100 HP.

http://www.gizmag.com/protean-elect...ctric-drive-system-for-hybrids-and-evs/27110/

I don't think these guys are going out of business.

 

[goofyone]

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.

 

[Rickb]

Elio hinted at an Electric option way down the road on Elio FaceBook. When that time rolls around battery prices will have dropped and range increased. Will still be a much higher price point option.

You are right about some owners converting and I can hardly wait to see the result. With that said I can hardly wait to see an Elio period!