Production

[DiscjockeyDale]

As light and aerodynamic as the Elio is, I think their claim of 84 mpg is conservative.  I would be more suspicious of Arcimoto's claim of 200+ equivalent mpg, but if they don't hit that target, no biggie.

I don't know Dan...

Like I said, EM has come up with absolutely no hard proven stats that aren't from simulations.

No real-world mpg, mph, 0-60 time, HP, etc. Eight years. Nothing.

The problem is that they're never going to get more major private funding...
Until they stop messing around and give real life proof of concept whether it meets their goals or not.

I've lately been thinking back to when they were anticipating the release of real-life stats for the engine...
They showed a few seconds of the engine on a dino... and then suddenly went completely dark about it for months.

As a matter of fact... To the best of my knowledge... Other than them claiming that it came close to 55HP...
That was supposedly without the variable valve system installed and operational...
No further dino results have not been released to this day!

Recently I've heard that someone on their staff alluded to the engine putting out 40HP...
And one of the vehicles reaching a top speed of 88mph and a 0-60mph time of more than 11 seconds.
Alluding to is not the same as proven real-world vehicle test results.

Now what could possibly be wrong with this picture?

[DanCooper]

Maybe Elio just wants to play forever. It is a big project to build or adapt an engine. They could buy a motorcycle or Smart car engine and avoid all that expense. But I still think, regardless of the engine, they should be able to hit 84 mpg. What I don't think they can achieve is to sell it for $7300 and make a profit. Maybe Elio should go over to electric power. Much simpler. But they probably don't have room anywhere for the battery.

The scary thing is nobody has made a vehicle in this class and stayed in business for any length of time. The USA seems to have chosen a course of cheap plentiful fossil fuel and to hell with the environment and to hell with the future. Only a few nuts like me will choose energy efficiency over all else. What Arcimoto has to do is develop the market for people wanting more fun than a car but safer than a motorcycle.

[Rickb]

Nobody has ever manufactured a vehicle like this to test the market and/or prove success.  The time is near with the SRK and Solo.  Many people are simply turned off by save the planet marketing strategy, don't believe in the science that relates to a crappy environment, and the need for alternative energy vehicles to help save it.  A more acceptable marketing strategy is to prove EVs can meet their needs in terms of style, engineering, range, performance, handling, affordability, and safety.  If the economics are proven to save them moneythey will move over to the light side.  Saving the planet for OUR grandkids and future generations is simply a bonus........along with developing new tech and job growth.

[DiscjockeyDale]

I agree Dan. Since the conversation has turned to environmental concerns...
I though this appropriate. Posted on USA Today on November 17, 2016...

The Largest US Oil Find Ever!

I think we're totally fracked.

[Rickb]

The engine is the primary part that should have been off the shelf.  

The process equates to a gang of kids in a garage trying to design and assemble a three wheeler go kart from parts setting on their dad's storage shelf.  All the time making a good living off a $100 Million of somebody else's money.  That is alot of debt for a new startup vehicle manufacturer to carry forward with no product to sell and in need of an additional $300 Million of added venture capital debt to start production of a vehicle that is in the proof of concept stage of development after 9 years of play.

[DanCooper]

I have recently worked to help produce fracked oil. Some places it can be an environmental disaster, some places it might be environmentally OK. Locally. If we forget climate change. I have studied climate science very carefully and it is very real. The widespread denial of it is a denial of the utility of all science.

Of course we don't know exactly how bad it will be, and there is a lot of excessive hype about that which just turns people off. But a lot of peoples' reality is set by disinformation produced by fossil fuel companies and spread by right-wing media, and by total ignorance of and disdain for science.

Ironically, it is fracking that is destroying the coal industry. Not Obama. Not regulations. It is the cheap gas produced by fracking that is putting coal out of business.

I look towards a future where we can save the environment, live well, and have fun (like by driving an SRK) all at the same time. I cry when I see most people around me trying to destroy that future.

[Rickb]

I believe in science.  I support environmental issues and the importance of developing alternative energy vehicles and renewable energy resources without being overly extremist.  I work hard to do my fair share.......personally and politically.  A huge cross section of people simply deny science even if the facts were staring them in the face while they were gasping for their last breath of fresh air.  I don't get it!    Better not to discuss the politics of the issue other than it's currently freakin scary.

The SRK and Solo alternative vehicle manufactures need to focus on saving money and having fun as the marketing strategy to hook and reel-in the non-believers.   Saving the environment will simply be a bonus........our science based secret.

[paravil]

I have recently worked to help produce fracked oil.  Some places it can be an environmental disaster, some places it might be environmentally OK.  Locally.  If we forget climate change.  I have studied climate science very carefully and it is very real.  The widespread denial of it is a denial of the utility of all science.

Of course we don't know exactly how bad it will be, and there is a lot of excessive hype about that which just turns people off.  But a lot of peoples' reality is set by disinformation produced by fossil fuel companies and spread by right-wing media, and by total ignorance of and disdain for science.

Ironically, it is fracking that is destroying the coal industry.  Not Obama.  Not regulations.  It is the cheap gas produced by fracking that is putting coal out of business.

I look towards a future where we can save the environment, live well, and have fun (like by driving an SRK) all at the same time.  I cry when I see most people around me trying to destroy that future.

Yes, of course there is climate change. It is indisputable! I´ve seen it happen during my lifetime and, digging in my garden at home in Orkney (which is far north and certainly not very warm) I came across vines from the days when the climate there was Mediterranean. The climate has not stopped changing since the world began. But I would suggest that man made (induced) climate change has not (as yet) been proven, and until proven, it is not very likely. Otherwise, reasons should be provided for all the climate change before industrialisation.

[Rickb]

Self portrait:  I call it "Waiting on Production"

[paravil]

Both Arcimoto and the Swiss Tremola are productioin ready (the Tremola has just been EU homologised). But both are still lacking the promised DOORS!