Elio

What do you mean by "basic transportation"? A motor cycle is transportation too

 

Somebody is pumping a BUTT-TON of money into this 3/4 of a car, so there must be some perceived demand and a perceived ability to deliver the product.

Me?
I have a three-mile commute, and I already have a M/C license. The Elio is actually cheaper than the last two motorcycles that I've bought and significantly more efficient than either if the promise it true.
There are some compelling reasons to look at an Elio as a form of transportation, but my CFO gave me that certain look that suggested that it's more toy than transport even if you could walk up and actually touch a real Elio in a real Elio dealership. Women are typically MUCH more practical about personal transportation than we men are, so it will be both interesting and informative to see how soccer moms react to this not-quite-a-car.

Technically?
The Three-wheeler is a motorcycle.
That means that it has many motorcycle-like benefits (HOV lane access for the working poor, for example.)
That also means that it has many motorcycle-like disadvantages....like perceived sub-par safety, piteously small cargo and tow ratings.

It's also a very VERY low slung vehicle, which means that visibility will be a huge factor....both ways. On my M/C, I can at least see around me even if I'm invisible to the dull-witted, distracted car and truck drivers.

We'll see.
Jay Leno will probably be an early adopter.
So will some M/C riders and some hypercommuters on a budget.
Probably some college guys with cinder blocks under their mattresses as well.

It will be interesting to watch!

 

A true motorcycle would be much safer in ability to avoid an accident IMHO. I think MPG economy is a must, but not at the cost of safety of the occupants, UNLESS you want to ride a true motorcycle. At least then you KNOW your a moving target on the road, and can act and drive hyper defensively. I think this will go the same way as the "smart" car.

 

Yes and it certainly depends on your situation. We are a retired 1-car family making lots of short trips and a few long ones. Its like the PiP was designed for us, plenty of room and great mileage on trips, about 80% EV when not on trips. That's "basic" transportation for us.

 

looks like it might fly in places like india...

 

and Cambodia - but why 2 threads on a 3 wheel motorcycle .... Is this an ad campaign? .