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| photo from the Organic Transit site |
I'm completely fascinated by this. Breathless! Organic Transit makes them. They cost $5000 and the delivery is in addition to that. There was a successful Kickstarter campaign:
CNET has an overview. Digital Trends says, "The ELF has a top speed of 20 mph when utilizing electric power, but the user can use the pedals to increase the overall speed of the hybrid vehicle. ... the ELF is classified as a bicycle in all fifty states according to current federal guidelines." Indy Week says,
Whether Americans will embrace vehicles like the ELF is uncertain, but anything that might help break cars' near-monopoly of our transportation can only be a positive step. America's so-called "love affair" with the automobile, which long ago degenerated into a toxic, consuming obsession, is harming our bodies, our cities and our planet.Here's a test drive with the founder:
"The most environmentally damaging thing each of us does every day is get in our car and drive," says Cotter [company founder]. "And 40 percent of trips are under 2 miles. What the hell are we doing? And I'm an American too, I'm guilty of all those things. But there's not a lot of options."
Here's a video that covers background, manufacturing, and how you get in and take it for a ride:
I want the mango colored one. I need to find out exactly how these are legally classified and regulated here in Tennessee. And I need to save my pennies.
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Ah, to say I want this car/bike would be an understatement. One thing about it, you would never get a ticket for going over the speed limit (grin).
ReplyDeletethey have plans to add side protection in future models. that would be helpful in the rain. i'm in love! lol
DeleteThey look kind of dangerous to me. They are too wide for easy passing and people get awfully impatient
ReplyDeletethey fit in a bike lane and are much more visible than a bike. they are just an electric cargo trike with a shell. i'm already scared to ride my bicycle in traffic, and this doesn't feel scarier to me.
DeleteBike lanes around here are basically in the downtown areas and in our metro parks. So a lot of travel would have to be in regular traffic lanes. Many of the roads around my house are rural and 45 mph, I guess it would depend where you want to go with the ELF.
Deletei'm in a fairly urban area and won't range more than 5 miles or so in any direction. i'm a long way from actually committing to this, though.
DeleteReally interesting. I am curious about their classification too, if they are a "bike" they you don't need a driver's license? DH has been considering an electric bike - pricey but about a third of this.
ReplyDeleteDarla
yes, i think this is just an e-bike with a hard plastic shell. laws differ by states. tennessee doesn't have what i consider to be clear rules on e-bikes. it's definitely different from a moped, which does require a license. bicycles here do not need licensing. i'll have to research it. the visibility of this trike is extremely appealing to me.
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