How Much Will The Elio Save You??

[Cache Man]

Here is some interesting info that Elio may want to use to advertise. Fact: Average MPG in the USA is 25.4. The average miles driven each year in the USA is 12,000. The average cost per gallon of fuel in the USA right now is $2.62/gal.

The Toyota Prius averages 50 mpg (51 city/49 hwy). The Prius base model price is $24,200. The Elio base model price is $6,800. That is a difference of $17,400.

If you use the average MPG of the Prius of 50 mpg and use the average driven mile of 12,000 you would use about 249 gallons each year (12,000/50=240 gals). Then use the average fuel price for regular gasoline at $2.62, it would cost you about $628.80/yr for gas.

Using the average MPG of the vehicles in the USA of 25.4 MPG we can figure that if we had this car we would use 472.44 gals/yr. This would equal $1237.80 per year for gas. Do not focus on the fuel cost!!

The Elio with the average of 60.3 mpg we can figure that it will use about 199 gals/yr with the average yearly fuel cost of $521.39.

Summary of Fuel Cost Per Year (averaging 12,000 miles/yr):
Prius: $628.80/yr
Gas Guzzler: $1237.80/yr
Elio: $521.39/yr

So if we assume there is usually one person in the car and the car is used to commute only, we can figure that with a gas guzzler at 25.4 MPG on an old used car costing about the same as the Elio ($6,800) with the fuel cost of $1237.80/yr (12000/25.4=472.44 gals x $2.62 average fuel cost/gal=1237.80)(averaging 12,000 mile per year) we would have 14 yrs of gas before we would break even with the cost of the Prius (17,400/1237.80=14 yrs). That is a lot of gas if we only look at the cost and not the environment.

So with the Elio with the average of 60.3 mpg and average yearly fuel cost of $521.39 (12000/60.3=199 gals x $2.62 average fuel cost/gal=$521.39 yearly fuel cost), we can figure that we will have about 33.37 years of gas to break even with the cost of a Prius (using an average 12,000 mile per year)(17,400/521.39=33.37 yrs)(It equal $107.41 savings per year in fuel over the Prius. This is approximately 41 gals of fuel extra over the Prius per year. Or 2472 miles further you can drive based only on operating cost. Not saving on MSRP)(This is about 2.33 times better than the gas guzzler.) That’s like putting $716.43 in your pocket each year in savings.

Is the Prius worth the extra money? I guess that is up to the person spending the money.

Based on this information, it cost much less to drive the gas guzzler than to own a Prius. And you save money by owning a Elio.

 

[TeamCoconutOreo]

It will not save me much. I only drive to work during bad weather, I live in Tucson, AZ. We have 10 days of bad weather a year! For me it's about supporting a great idea.

 

[bowers baldwin]

When I fist signed up for the Elio I was driving a 17mpg high octane only car 50+ miles a day.
Now I have a Fiat 500 so I guess now I'll only save $10 a week. Oh well, the best laid plans....

 

[Ty]

Here is some interesting info that Elio may want to use to advertise. Fact: Average MPG in the USA is 25.4. The average miles driven each year in the USA is 12,000. The average cost per gallon of fuel in the USA right now is $2.62/gal.

The Toyota Prius averages 50 mpg (51 city/49 hwy). The Prius base model price is $24,200. The Elio base model price is $6,800. That is a difference of $17,400.

If you use the average MPG of the Prius of 50 mpg and use the average driven mile of 12,000 you would use about 249 gallons each year (12,000/50=240 gals). Then use the average fuel price for regular gasoline at $2.62, it would cost you about $628.80/yr for gas.

Using the average MPG of the vehicles in the USA of 25.4 MPG we can figure that if we had this car we would use 472.44 gals/yr. This would equal $1237.80 per year for gas. Do not focus on the fuel cost!!

The Elio with the average of 60.3 mpg we can figure that it will use about 199 gals/yr with the average yearly fuel cost of $521.39.

Summary of Fuel Cost Per Year (averaging 12,000 miles/yr):
Prius: $628.80/yr
Gas Guzzler: $1237.80/yr
Elio: $521.39/yr

So if we assume there is usually one person in the car and the car is used to commute only, we can figure that with a gas guzzler at 25.4 MPG on an old used car costing about the same as the Elio ($6,800) with the fuel cost of $1237.80/yr (12000/25.4=472.44 gals x $2.62 average fuel cost/gal=1237.80)(averaging 12,000 mile per year) we would have 14 yrs of gas before we would break even with the cost of the Prius (17,400/1237.80=14 yrs). That is a lot of gas if we only look at the cost and not the environment.

So with the Elio with the average of 60.3 mpg and average yearly fuel cost of $521.39 (12000/60.3=199 gals x $2.62 average fuel cost/gal=$521.39 yearly fuel cost), we can figure that we will have about 33.37 years of gas to break even with the cost of a Prius (using an average 12,000 mile per year)(17,400/521.39=33.37 yrs)(It equal $107.41 savings per year in fuel over the Prius. This is approximately 41 gals of fuel extra over the Prius per year. Or 2472 miles further you can drive based only on operating cost. Not saving on MSRP)(This is about 2.33 times better than the gas guzzler.) That’s like putting $716.43 in your pocket each year in savings.

Is the Prius worth the extra money? I guess that is up to the person spending the money.

Based on this information, it cost much less to drive the gas guzzler than to own a Prius. And you save money by owning a Elio.

Math. I kills many ideas... Electric Elio? using your figures and assuming you are stealing your neighbor's electricity, you'd only save $521.39 per year max. How much more would it cost to electrify that Elio? Too much, I'm sure. I'm also pretty sure that on my 25 mile one-way commute, I'll get better than 60 MPG in my Elio... I'm thinking I'll get right around 80 if I try a little.

As an aside, Car And Driver magazine tested a bunch of "fuel savers" a while back. They found that the only gadget they tested that really worked well was a simple display that showed current mileage. It seems that when the drivers could see how their driving style affects mileage, they make little changes to improve their efficiency. I don't "hyper mile" but in my truck, I will slow a bit ahead of time when it wont' affect traffic if I think the light is about to change for me. If I only have to slow to 25 mph before speeding back up, I'll say "I saved 25 of them that time." referring to MPH. If you think about it, changes in velocity take energy. Brakes turn speed into heat, your engine turns heat into speed (basically)... okay, VERY basically, perhaps.

 

[Rickb]

Here is some interesting info that Elio may want to use to advertise. Fact: Average MPG in the USA is 25.4. The average miles driven each year in the USA is 12,000. The average cost per gallon of fuel in the USA right now is $2.62/gal.

The Toyota Prius averages 50 mpg (51 city/49 hwy). The Prius base model price is $24,200. The Elio base model price is $6,800. That is a difference of $17,400.

If you use the average MPG of the Prius of 50 mpg and use the average driven mile of 12,000 you would use about 249 gallons each year (12,000/50=240 gals). Then use the average fuel price for regular gasoline at $2.62, it would cost you about $628.80/yr for gas.

Using the average MPG of the vehicles in the USA of 25.4 MPG we can figure that if we had this car we would use 472.44 gals/yr. This would equal $1237.80 per year for gas. Do not focus on the fuel cost!!

The Elio with the average of 60.3 mpg we can figure that it will use about 199 gals/yr with the average yearly fuel cost of $521.39.

Summary of Fuel Cost Per Year (averaging 12,000 miles/yr):
Prius: $628.80/yr
Gas Guzzler: $1237.80/yr
Elio: $521.39/yr

So if we assume there is usually one person in the car and the car is used to commute only, we can figure that with a gas guzzler at 25.4 MPG on an old used car costing about the same as the Elio ($6,800) with the fuel cost of $1237.80/yr (12000/25.4=472.44 gals x $2.62 average fuel cost/gal=1237.80)(averaging 12,000 mile per year) we would have 14 yrs of gas before we would break even with the cost of the Prius (17,400/1237.80=14 yrs). That is a lot of gas if we only look at the cost and not the environment.

So with the Elio with the average of 60.3 mpg and average yearly fuel cost of $521.39 (12000/60.3=199 gals x $2.62 average fuel cost/gal=$521.39 yearly fuel cost), we can figure that we will have about 33.37 years of gas to break even with the cost of a Prius (using an average 12,000 mile per year)(17,400/521.39=33.37 yrs)(It equal $107.41 savings per year in fuel over the Prius. This is approximately 41 gals of fuel extra over the Prius per year. Or 2472 miles further you can drive based only on operating cost. Not saving on MSRP)(This is about 2.33 times better than the gas guzzler.) That’s like putting $716.43 in your pocket each year in savings.

Is the Prius worth the extra money? I guess that is up to the person spending the money.

Based on this information, it cost much less to drive the gas guzzler than to own a Prius. And you save money by owning a Elio.

Sorry to screw up your calculations.

 

[W. WIllie]

I just returned from a weeklong trip to Madison WI from Campo Ca, and back and spent $270.05 in gas. That was a trip of 4203.5 miles and at an average of 64.6 mpg. With the flow of traffic. It could be a lot better if I had SLOWED DOWN. Cost would have less, but I run premium as a safety valve (Insurance) because of my turbo install.That was in my G1 Insight. I'm figuring the ELIO will be a little better, but I know it won't be 84mpg.

Still waiting!
Willie

 

[Rickb]

Math. I kills many ideas... Electric Elio? using your figures and assuming you are stealing your neighbor's electricity, you'd only save $521.39 per year max. How much more would it cost to electrify that Elio? Too much, I'm sure. I'm also pretty sure that on my 25 mile one-way commute, I'll get better than 60 MPG in my Elio... I'm thinking I'll get right around 80 if I try a little.

As an aside, Car And Driver magazine tested a bunch of "fuel savers" a while back. They found that the only gadget they tested that really worked well was a simple display that showed current mileage. It seems that when the drivers could see how their driving style affects mileage, they make little changes to improve their efficiency. I don't "hyper mile" but in my truck, I will slow a bit ahead of time when it wont' affect traffic if I think the light is about to change for me. If I only have to slow to 25 mph before speeding back up, I'll say "I saved 25 of them that time." referring to MPH. If you think about it, changes in velocity take energy. Brakes turn speed into heat, your engine turns heat into speed (basically)... okay, VERY basically, perhaps.

You assume the individuals EV choice/preference is too save money, not the case.

 

[Critter]

http://www.elioowners.com/threads/i-am-reserved-what-do-you-spend-now.1590/

Impaitently waiting for the Elio

 

[Ty]

You assume the individuals EV choice/preference is too save money, not the case.

You are correct. I made that assumption and probably shouldn't have. If the desire is to limit the amount of oil consumed, then electric definitely helps there. One barrel of crude makes approximately 21 gallons of gas. That'll take 7 barrels of oil off the market each year or 12,000 miles. Again, I assume it must be to either save money or oil. It could be that they just like electric. I know I do. Heck, I'd be driving a Tesla every day if I could afford it!

 

[JNR]

You assume the individuals EV choice/preference is too save money, not the case.

Rickb,

FYI, I came up with my own calculator to compare. With my current 20k miles per year, $3.50/gallon gas and electric prices in CT/MA border, the break even point is if the electric Elio costs about $7k more than the gas Elio. This assumes decpreciation at the same % rate per year, and equal insurance costs and maintenance costs. This also assumes combined mpg of my commute to be 60 mpg gas and 5.9 miles/kwhr electric. I'll upload the excel SS if you want.

I think my hypothetical electric Elio will actually be a logical economic purchase.