I am an Elf owner, I purchased it last year in May of 2014. After driving it for a complete season without incident and never being flipped off by any motorist. More often than not people give the thumbs up and smile with curiosity when they pass. I use my Elf for commutes between my location and town (17 kms round trip). The route I use has a maximum speed limit of 60 kmh , I can clearly see anything coming to and from me. When I experience a situation where I may be a liability to road traffic I simply pull over and let vehicles pass however most are willing to wait and watch until they can pass safely. Over all I am very well pleased with this bike and recommend it to anyone looking for an alternate form of transportation. It helps our environment, health and is economic when you do the math
Ethan Wood The Elf does shake as it is supposed to because anything too rigid would cause problems as it's design is both under tension and compression. I reduced speed on any bumps and try to ride on smooth pavement only.
@@yusadani755 It has front elastomer suspension. In areas where you know the roads are bumpy it is wise to get the 3 inch tire option. They make a real difference especially when a few pounds under max pressures. This is not an off road bike but gravel bike trails are fine.
Cotter and the Elf are both inspirational.. For all who say... Could be quicker.. could be cheaper.. I bet both issues will be sorted in time.. The great thing is that these guys are doing it now.. Kudos to you..
When I first saw the Elf I fell in love. I recently moved to Durham & the first thing I wanted to see was the Elf dealer. I often look through the window at there showroom dreaming about the day I purchase 1 of these babies. I thought they were cars at first because they look bigger in person & I thought I saw a backseat for 2 passengers a couple of months ago.
Despite its advantages; it’s $3500 cheaper than the next cheapest Velomobile; it includes a solar rechargeable electric motor and it’s American made. The Elf still has some major hurdles to overcome; it is twice as bulky as other velomobiles; you can’t park it outside overnight; you can’t put it in your apartment either; other velomobiles are narrow and can easily be bypassed by faster traffic, not so with the elf which has to take command of the road because of it’s width.
@@baddoggie101 You are a fool and a troll. I am retired and an expert owner who has used the ELF for all my transportation for 6 years now. It is the highest character and patriotism for Americans to buy American. My last post here earned 5 upvotes because it is true.
One modification I'd like to see to the ELF is the addition of a passenger seat. I would also like the price to drop, because for 5k I can buy a used car or REALLY nice bike, maybe even an electrical one. If those 2 issues were resolved, I would buy an ELF.
I have just looked at their site, and they do indeed have a passenger seat option, even one for 2 small kids a price drop would mean moving the manufacturing out of the US, something I dont want to see. you will just have to pass on the ELF or build your own.
It's a neat idea, yes, and one whose time has come, but costing the same as a used car is going to keep it out of the hands of a lot of people. I figured that there'd be somebody saying "Why not just use a bike?" and sure enough, the guy in the video, but a bike can't carry 8 bags of groceries and shield you from the elements, now, can it (and I say this as a bicyclist)?
I agree. I have a bike because I can not afford a car but I'm limited by the weather as to when I can go out on it. I wish I could afford something like this but honestly it's a huge investment for someone at my income level and I'd fear someone stealing it anyway.
Nice for people who are not in a hurry, living in a more rural community. I don't think I would see one in mid city Los Angeles. Electric is a good way, but I went the route of converting a mountain bike that I was not really using. With hub mounted 1000 watt motor, 20 ah lipo batteries. lights, panners, etc. cost: $800, max speed 34 MPH, normal cruise 27 MPH, range 22 miles. Requires builder to be reasonably handy with tools and can understand how to handle Lipos. ( no big thing). I already have a high power Lipo charger.
Your mountain bike is not street legal, can not haul 20 bags or groceries or a passenger out of the weather, has no crumple zones or full DOT lighting system with car horn. You also can not take advantage of solar charging, the best feature I take full advantage of every day here in Florida..
I have more than 100,000 miles on a bicycles and I am tired of people criticizing people who like internal combustion the fact is modern life is full of mobility choices don't criticize me for this free choice I have taken you're free to get a round town like a Flintstone if you want to :)
Nobody cares how you get around IF you can do it without stealing more than your fair share of resources from future generations. The ELF lets former car drivers tread lightly.
The Goverment should be encouraging this with tax incentives and rebates. That way less pollution in our air, more jobs to people who make them, better health.
Sadly Organic Transit who manufactured the ELF went bankrupt in 2019 & was purchased at Auction in 2020 by Oil & Gas company Petro Sun. Hopefully some young bike enthusiasts will carry on the original owner Rob Cotter's vision for future production of these outstanding eco friendly Vehicles. The market is definitely hot right now for these.
Perhaps they should have thought that a vehicle like this can't be ridden anywhere, partially or safely. It's not a bike; it's a circus vehicle with no infrastructure designed to accommodate it. The same goes with trikes/recumbents and both of their *fat* cousins.
@@brianbassett4379 Very true but I believe there is a genuine market for Electric Micro Vehicles in our near future. The manufacturing costs to build them are enormous but the prototypes have already been built.
@@brianbassett4379 Very false. The ELF was my only transportation for 7 years. ELFs have set records for long distance travel in velomobiles, the longest is 46,000 miles and still going. No one has ever been lost in a collision with this, the safest bike ever made in all history. Learn what a velomobile is and how this is a cargo version of the velomobile design. Trikes of all sorts also are very widely used on trails and in traffic but only the ELF has all the DOT lighting and horn like a car. These days the standard for bike paths is now 10 feet wide - no issues. After 7 years with no typical car expenses of $3000/yr I saved so much I was able to pay cash for a new US made Arcimoto electric autocycle capable of 85 mph. It is also an exceptionally safe and versatile trike.
Base price has risen to $8,950 No you don't need doors. No you can not do better buying a used car Yes it is very safe compared to any bike No, theft is not a serious problem No it is not too wide for bike trails and lanes No you can not make one cheaper yourself Yes the solar panel works very well Yes it works fine in light snow or ice Yes it climbs hills well
My next vehicle, I think. I'm in Chicago and I already have a recumbent tricycle which I love but I am not very visible and there are a few places on my way to work that can be unsafe for a regular bicycle that can at least go on the sidewalk. Still it's something to think about and I fully endorse it!
When I was growing up in D.C. I was going to a school in Wheaton, MD.. On the way... the school (the short one) bus would go through Bethesda then through Kensington etc..on Connecticut Ave.. On Connecticut ave there was a little odd three wheel car which I thought was the coolest thing ever. Anyways, that little car told me about how the world can be very different indeed. Not sure why I'm telling you guys all this. I just appreciate people that DO what they wanted to do, and that was bad ass. Oh btw be careful!
OT Sales 2 LOL, one of my sayings is "I support those who support the things I support" And no, but I should have since I have family north of Charlotte. And I used to live in Winston Salem and Salisbury. But I have not been back for a long time. But rest assured that when I find myself down that way, I am in Chicago, that is on my list of things to do. But sadly I have a very long list of things to do and I had almost forgotten about this so was so glad someone +1'd my comment so I could be reminded. Plus that lets me undo and redo my thumbs up to put it in my other feeds again. Do you have any customers in the Chicago area yet?
OT Sales 2 Really, I'm actually in Oak Lawn but most have not heard of that. I'm not that far from LeGrange though. Think you could arrange a look see?
as soon as i found the elf it was like love they're perfect for me purely because as a british 16 year old i can drive in a month and its been plaguing me whether to ignore my eco needs and buy a car or branch out the only real issue i have with the elf well two issues actually one is that its an american company so I'm not sure how they will work in the uk and two being money these things are expensive considering my bike does the same as this apart from the storage which is never really that nessasary anyway but still they are a beautiful piece of technology that will shape the future for the better
Put Detroit to work building a million ELFs! When built on an industrial scale rather than an artisinal scale they could be be a fraction of the current price. These could replace cars for short-distance diving.
Ive read here and elsewhere that an ELF cannot use standard bike paths.Not sure where this rumor started but it is incorrect.The ELF will travel easily on any standard bike path with room to spare.
Funny, no one laughs at me, they cheer, give thumbs up, honk in appreciation and take photos. Some actually yell 'thank you!' out their windows as they drive by.
How long does the motor last? And can a replacement part be ordered easily in event one is needed quickly. I am interested in one but I want to see where the pricing is for replacement motors chains etc.
Muy bonitos, muy buenas intensiones..... Pero muy caros para el material del que están hechos.... Un precio excesivo acaba con las buenas intensiones....
The PEBL is now $300 more than the ELF with the solar option included and they offer no warranty. UPDATE - PEBL now has a $12,000 base price but it weighs 70 pounds more than the ELF and won't deal with hills.
Different colors, two tone paint jobs look great on this. There are solid rims available. I customized mine in many ways. But the base model is cool as hell if you ask me. Nothing beats emissions free fully sustainable transportation in safety that no bicycle can offer. But it is the SUV of velos, if you want speed go for a streamliner bullet bike.
your comment is years old but as of the time of me writing this their main website says the company is in bankruptcy and is for sale. sorry looks like no ELF's for you or for me. :(
Jacob ellinger I am a custom fabricator at a bike shop here in oregon and i have been playing around with making an elf style bicycle and soon to be completing my first one, if interested we can talk and figure out a game plan to build a custom reverse tricycle for you
Why so complicated? I've ridden years through rain and snow. A good bike, proper riding gear and paniers leaves $3500-$4000 in my pocket over this ride, and I'm less likely to run into or get run over by a car. Not to mention the better visibility due to the higher seating position of the bicycle. And, good luck parking this thing anywhere but in a parking lot $$$. KISS (Keep It Simple Smartguy).
Wrong on all counts! As a bicyclist you have no excuse for this ignorance. Crumple zones on this high visibility high profile vehicle that places your head at the same height as car drivers and features full DOT lighting makes this an extremely safe vehicle compared to any bicycle. Really stupid comment about parking too, it is always easier to park the ELF in 1/3rd the space of a car and to fit it into otherwise not accessible spaces like motorcycle parking and on the sidewalk next to bike racks. I'm disabled and get to park my ELF right near the entrance doors of stores even without a disabled parking permit. Lock to any post.
I get what he’s saying I live in New York City an I don’t live in Manhattan so parking this is going to be hard for me whenever I do get one I’m going to have to pay for parking or it will get stolen for sure
Nice invention. I just see a problem with rain coming in at the sides where it is open because it will come in that way for sure. It also would be nice if they had a bigger battery to double the mileage/speed. In colder weather you will need more than a seat warmer to keep warm and the cold will also reduce the efficiency of the battery.
Your problems do not exist in the real world. You stay warm by pedaling. The rain just blows by the open door, maybe your elbows get wet, no big deal. Doors are available but few want them.
Popeye Gordon nonsense, I constantly have to deal with rain falling at 45° due to wind, and even if I wait till after the rain stops I'll still often get soaked up to my knees due to potholes and uneven surfaces collecting massive amounts of rain water. Weather isn't a unified constant across the world. I've lived in near every biome, and this wouldn't appreciably help protect me during the storm season in any area I've lived in save northern California. If I still lived there, I'd be much more forgiving of its limited use cases, but right now...? I actually do quite like this vehicle, but it isn't a sufficiently practical alternative in places with extreme weather. And to its credit, it doesn't claim to be! Every person and every environment has different needs. It doesn't undercut this vehicle to recognize that it's not appropriate for every area, the same way it doesn't undercut my bicycle to acknowledge that it's not appropriate for the freeway
It has a battery. Most of the vids and such about this vehicle don't bother to mention that fact. Now all I need is one that can do 45 MPH and a range of 20 miles.
It has a range of 25 miles now. The video is 7 years old, a long time for battery performance and cost changes. It is illegal to go faster than 20 MPH in an ebike in the US. It would be foolish to go 45 in a 160 pound trike. It is not designed for such speeds. Three owners have completed journeys between 4000 and 36,000 miles in an ELF with one extra battery. Any vehicle with a solar panel is assumed to have a battery.
Love this idea but why go with solar & not just pedal + wind as a power source? You wouldn't have to rely on the weather (or mined resources but I could be wrong since I don't know enough on that) & as long as you're moving it with a wind turbine in front or on top the vehicle would be powering up. It just sounds more practical & possibly cleaner that way.
This vehicle weighs 160 pounds. Any wind drag would only slow down the vehicle, wind generators on moving vehicles are an ignorant attempt to make perpetual motion, a scientific impossibility pursued by many high school dropouts. Trust me, you don't know more than a team of top notch engineers.
+ThruThe9 I suspect that they have doors, but they are an option. I've seen similar vehicles @ bike shops and there is an inclement weather option that is velcro based if memory serves me correctly...
is it not possible to have dours ? And the bottum from the bike , is it not possible to close it for having no cold wind below? What is the speed that you can drive with it ?
Two door styles are available but we don't like them, makes it too hot and the windows fog because we are exercising in the small space. In the US our laws limit top speed of motor to 20 mph. Slower in Europe.
@@ludwigvanosselaer4179 If you are willing to pay the shipping and it has to be converted to EU speed limit and pedelec. several have been shipped your way.
Reckless operation can be dangerous with any vehicle. I have never had one wheel leave the road yet, I just use common sense. The NuVinci hub is the brand used.
In the US, all electric assist bikes are limited to 20 mph speed by federal law. Bicycles with no electric assist are slower going up hills or into the wind.
This is not a dealer page. Please go to OrganicTransit.com The 750 watt motor can pull as much as 1,800 watts from the battery while climbing hills and simultaneous pedaling lets you tackle steeper hills. The panel slowly charges a powerful 48 volt lithium battery. Not a micro car, a car-bike or more precisely, an electric assist velomobile. The current base price is $9K US. If mine was lost I'd order another one immediately. Shipping costs make this a toy for the wealthy if you live overseas.
@hector nadal False on all points. The frame is the classic tadpole trike design that has been used for years. US federal law defines this as an electric assist bicycle that is legal in all 50 states. Some local laws for trails vary but at least 99% of all US roads (but never interstate freeways) are legal for using the ELF. Two companies have sold over 1,100 of these and three ELF owners have gone on 4000 mile cross country trips. I have used my ELF every day on all local roads and bike trails for the last 4 years since getting rid of my car. The local Florida cops and sheriffs like my vehicle. This is a new industry and sustainable transportation design that is here to stay. Personal cars are already obsolete due to our climate emergency, you just don't know it yet.
The problem is bicycle they are limited range limited load and the user must be in good physical shape. Some are made out of exotic metals, and when was the last time you saw a little old lady riding with her walker in tow. The bike shop is dependent on a power source such as fossil fuel along with needing trucks to deliver bikes and bike parts to his shop. Even in Amsterdam most ride there bikes to the rail station and back home. The ELF dose have some advantages over this as it can carry a larger load and someone with a balance problem the ELF will help over come this.
It has a key lock for the power system. It can be cabled/chained to anything just like a bike, the brake rotor can be locked with common disc brake locks, a motion detector alarm of a hidden GPS tracker make security easy. Only two of 800 have been stolen, one recovered. The one not recovered was not locked by its owner.
The shipping to AU is far too much. The battery can easily be plugged in with the included AC charger but the solar panel works so well that some never need to plug in.
The only person I know who had one was "Hannah's Dream Ride" I met her in WI at High Cliff State park!! She was an awesome lady----how is she doing????
She has a Facebook page. Sh's working on a book about her 4000 mile journey. facebook.com/Hannas-Dream-Ride-771762409598544/ The first to complete a 4000 trip was a Canadian who made a movie about it. Sustainable Joes offers that movie on RUclips. ruclips.net/video/OAYbM_n8_Zo/видео.html
Incorrect. It has a key for the ignition and can be cable or chain locked, a motion sensor alarm added or a GPS tracker hidden in it. Also use a disc brake lock.
Not to mention it looks like it's made of plastic the way it's shaking when he's pedaling so no protection in an accident & no insurance because it's classified as a bike.
+bahrta sai NO, its not crazy! As long as its well made and can last 5 or so years with reasonable care. Its good value as long as you use it regularly. Say in comparision, a really cheap car cost 10k, if you do 90 percent of your getting around in an elf, thats a 9k value, PLUS the savings in parking, insurance, gas, cheaper repairs, you are talking big savings. Depending on what your monthly cost is, the thing will pay for itself in 1-2 years.
You keep posting these falsehoods but this is wrong. 800+ units sold and 3 million road miles logged, the ELF has been involved in 4 car crashes so far. No injuries yet. The body provides crumple zones and holds the driver inside. It bounces off cars and the dents will just pop back out.
the problem why they have so few orders is because of the price is so expensive actually I think the company targeted rich people for 3 000 dollars you can buy a used mini van and go faster , the solar panel is making the price go so high , one way this could be cheaper is by taking away the solar panel , the bike should be faster electric bikes are green but not efficient , because this bike is so big and slow it will block the traffic and is most likely to get hit by an angry driver , the price should be less and more efficient because for real the price is so high that few people can afford .
+victor larraondo The solar panel on this ELF can be had on Amazon for $200, it just a flexible solor panel, nothing too high tech or expensive. In fact this is one of few vehicles that can charge entirely off of solar built into the vehicle. I'll tell you this brother, if for any reason gasoline becomes short or there is some kind of war in the Middle East stopping gas from coming here, your Mini Van will be good only as a spare bedroom, while this ELF will get up and go everyday.
victor - penny wise and pound foolish applies here. You pay at least $3000 more each and every year to drive cars. Mine paid for itself in less than 3 years, I got rid of my car.
Nice, and good side story, too. Screw car ownership! Though, I love the new all electric car and better, the autodrive cars (screw greedy traffic cops, they are not about safety, only about making money), it's too late for me. I rather spend $5000 on this then a $6000 segway. Maybe add room for a mini Ninebot or e-unicycle...😃
A little 160 lb vehicle going no faster than 20 mph poses no threat but you can insure it. I did for my first year. If someone hits you their insurance covers the damage.
velomobiel.nl quattrovelo has about the same cargo capacity but is less than half the weight and has about 1/4 the frontal area, so it is far easier to power at speed. It is also more stable (having four wheels, and lower centre of gravity). A real velomobile can be entirely human powered, this thing is far too heavy, and far too big for pedaling to be of much use. The aero is also awful, with the whole bottom of the vehicle being open so that in bad weather it will be awful... a quattrovelo has far better weather protection as well. When it's cold in a velo, the compartment is small enough that your body heat can be enough to be cozy. not with the elf, that's why they are talking about electric seats for colder climates. If you were actually pedalling usefully, that would not be an issue. Oh yeah, and the velomobiel has full suspension, so it will have a much smoother ride. You can have useful human powered car replacements, but Elf isn't it.
The 4 wheel bike is not legal in the US under federal law without license and insurance. The design you seem to favor will not take a passenger or 24 bags of groceries. It does not have a 550 pound payload capacity like the ELF which is the SUV or heavy hauler version of a velomobile. The ELF weighs 45 pounds less than the new competing vehicle by better.bike called the PEBL. The ELF has front suspension and the 3 inch fat tire option that give a smoother ride in regions where it is useful. MY ELF IS IN FACT AN EXTREMELY USEFUL FULL CAR REPLACEMENT that I have been using every day for the last 4 years. I'm too old and fat to climb in and out of a bathtub design, not an option. Since getting rid of my car 4 years ago I have saved $12,000 US which is much more then the ELF cost me. I have hauled 14 one gallon jugs of water, frozen turkeys, cases of beer, 6 one gallon pots holding landscaping shrubbery, and my trailer has hauled an air conditioner, 2 propane tanks, or 2 garbage cans full of leaves or recycling. The body shell of the ELF has been wind tunnel tested to prove that it only creates the same wind drag as a man on a bicycle. The ELF has two door styles available. Full enclosure is a mistake, we over heat and the windows fog. Rain falls down, not up, so I am happy with my partially open floor. Any more incorrect statements you wish to make?
I'm quite angry over the fact that i'd love one of these but lawmakers seem to hate that idea...I guess they can't milk us for enough taxes that way. Quad ebikes and trikes aren't even allowed on the road here. Society needs to adapt and change. Not everyone needs or wants an automobile and all the expense that entails. There is no infrastructure for pedestrains or cycles to get around at all locally...though Amsterdam was able to do it in under 10 years. I think every city planner in the country should be forced to watch "Stroads" by Not Just Bikes.
No that can not work without wearing out the driver. Regenerative features only work on larger heavy vehicles. It takes you a full 24 hours of hard pedaling to recharge a battery this size. That's why solar is so much better.
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I am an Elf owner, I purchased it last year in May of 2014. After driving it for a complete season without incident and never being flipped off by any motorist. More often than not people give the thumbs up and smile with curiosity when they pass. I use my Elf for commutes between my location and town (17 kms round trip). The route I use has a maximum speed limit of 60 kmh , I can clearly see anything coming to and from me. When I experience a situation where I may be a liability to road traffic I simply pull over and let vehicles pass however most are willing to wait and watch until they can pass safely. Over all I am very well pleased with this bike and recommend it to anyone looking for an alternate form of transportation. It helps our environment, health and is economic when you do the math
Do you have any problems with it like shaking? Cause I am lovin this especially with the price
Ethan Wood The Elf does shake as it is supposed to because anything too rigid would cause problems as it's design is both under tension and compression. I reduced speed on any bumps and try to ride on smooth pavement only.
ro0ky
No suspension?
@@yusadani755 It has front elastomer suspension. In areas where you know the roads are bumpy it is wise to get the 3 inch tire option. They make a real difference especially when a few pounds under max pressures. This is not an off road bike but gravel bike trails are fine.
What’s the top speed and how much do they cost?
Cotter and the Elf are both inspirational.. For all who say... Could be quicker.. could be cheaper.. I bet both issues will be sorted in time.. The great thing is that these guys are doing it now.. Kudos to you..
When I first saw the Elf I fell in love. I recently moved to Durham & the first thing I wanted to see was the Elf dealer. I often look through the window at there showroom dreaming about the day I purchase 1 of these babies. I thought they were cars at first because they look bigger in person & I thought I saw a backseat for 2 passengers a couple of months ago.
Hay you hlep me how to fixe a elf 🚗
Despite its advantages; it’s $3500 cheaper than the next cheapest Velomobile; it includes a solar rechargeable electric motor and it’s American made. The Elf still has some major hurdles to overcome; it is twice as bulky as other velomobiles; you can’t park it outside overnight; you can’t put it in your apartment either; other velomobiles are narrow and can easily be bypassed by faster traffic, not so with the elf which has to take command of the road because of it’s width.
What's so important about it being made in the US?
This is the SUV or cargo version of a velomobile. If you prefer narrow, light with no cargo or passenger room there are plenty of options.
@@TheSupertecnology Some of us are patriotic and refuse to stab our neighbors in the back by buying imported vehicles that steal American jobs.
@@popeyegordon Someday you will get real and grow up.
@@baddoggie101 You are a fool and a troll. I am retired and an expert owner who has used the ELF for all my transportation for 6 years now. It is the highest character and patriotism for Americans to buy American. My last post here earned 5 upvotes because it is true.
One modification I'd like to see to the ELF is the addition of a passenger seat. I would also like the price to drop, because for 5k I can buy a used car or REALLY nice bike, maybe even an electrical one. If those 2 issues were resolved, I would buy an ELF.
Don't forget doors!
I have just looked at their site, and they do indeed have a passenger seat option, even one for 2 small kids
a price drop would mean moving the manufacturing out of the US, something I dont want to see. you will just have to pass on the ELF or build your own.
ESUTERURE They just added the door option this month, (February)
Used ELFs start at $3,500. Have you found one yet?
Where they selling used ELF’s at ? Cause I want one
It's a neat idea, yes, and one whose time has come, but costing the same as a used car is going to keep it out of the hands of a lot of people.
I figured that there'd be somebody saying "Why not just use a bike?" and sure enough, the guy in the video, but a bike can't carry 8 bags of groceries and shield you from the elements, now, can it (and I say this as a bicyclist)?
I agree. I have a bike because I can not afford a car but I'm limited by the weather as to when I can go out on it. I wish I could afford something like this but honestly it's a huge investment for someone at my income level and I'd fear someone stealing it anyway.
Even a used car costs you $3000/yr to own and use. ELF pays for itself in a few years then its all gravy. Worked for me.
It costs more than the Kelly blue book price for my three year old Prius, that I sold a couple of years ago.
I see this from Brazil. What a product! What a bike! I hope one day to get one to walk around my city. would solve my problem, for sure. Hugs.
Nice for people who are not in a hurry, living in a more rural community. I don't think I would see one in mid city Los Angeles. Electric is a good way, but I went the route of converting a mountain bike that I was not really using. With hub mounted 1000 watt motor, 20 ah lipo batteries. lights, panners, etc. cost: $800, max speed 34 MPH, normal cruise 27 MPH, range 22 miles. Requires builder to be reasonably handy with tools and can understand how to handle Lipos. ( no big thing). I already have a high power Lipo charger.
Your mountain bike is not street legal, can not haul 20 bags or groceries or a passenger out of the weather, has no crumple zones or full DOT lighting system with car horn. You also can not take advantage of solar charging, the best feature I take full advantage of every day here in Florida..
I have more than 100,000 miles on a bicycles and I am tired of people criticizing people who like internal combustion the fact is modern life is full of mobility choices don't criticize me for this free choice I have taken you're free to get a round town like a Flintstone if you want to :)
Nobody cares how you get around IF you can do it without stealing more than your fair share of resources from future generations. The ELF lets former car drivers tread lightly.
douglas - hate troll flagged, downvoted, reported to G+ and blocked.
All readers - click on this toxic troll's buttons and select cyber bullying
Popeye Gordon no
Popeye Gordon this is the internet what would you expect. Get used to it and stop being a baby.
The Goverment should be encouraging this with tax incentives and rebates. That way less pollution in our air, more jobs to people who make them, better health.
Sadly Organic Transit who manufactured the ELF went bankrupt in 2019 & was purchased at Auction in 2020 by Oil & Gas company Petro Sun. Hopefully some young bike enthusiasts will carry on the original owner Rob Cotter's vision for future production of these outstanding eco friendly Vehicles. The market is definitely hot right now for these.
Perhaps they should have thought that a vehicle like this can't be ridden anywhere, partially or safely. It's not a bike; it's a circus vehicle with no infrastructure designed to accommodate it. The same goes with trikes/recumbents and both of their *fat* cousins.
@@brianbassett4379 Very true but I believe there is a genuine market for Electric Micro Vehicles in our near future. The manufacturing costs to build them are enormous but the prototypes have already been built.
@@brianbassett4379 Very false. The ELF was my only transportation for 7 years. ELFs have set records for long distance travel in velomobiles, the longest is 46,000 miles and still going. No one has ever been lost in a collision with this, the safest bike ever made in all history.
Learn what a velomobile is and how this is a cargo version of the velomobile design. Trikes of all sorts also are very widely used on trails and in traffic but only the ELF has all the DOT lighting and horn like a car. These days the standard for bike paths is now 10 feet wide - no issues.
After 7 years with no typical car expenses of $3000/yr I saved so much I was able to pay cash for a new US made Arcimoto electric autocycle capable of 85 mph. It is also an exceptionally safe and versatile trike.
Base price has risen to $8,950
No you don't need doors.
No you can not do better buying a used car
Yes it is very safe compared to any bike
No, theft is not a serious problem
No it is not too wide for bike trails and lanes
No you can not make one cheaper yourself
Yes the solar panel works very well
Yes it works fine in light snow or ice
Yes it climbs hills well
The most efficient vehicle on the planet makes the news!
Nice, I like how he blows through the stop sign at 1:36 mark.
Not an issue. In fact some states have an exemption for full stops with bikes when the intersection is empty.
I’d like to see an ELF on an episode of “Fully Charged”!
My next vehicle, I think. I'm in Chicago and I already have a recumbent tricycle which I love but I am not very visible and there are a few places on my way to work that can be unsafe for a regular bicycle that can at least go on the sidewalk.
Still it's something to think about and I fully endorse it!
When I was growing up in D.C. I was going to a school in Wheaton, MD.. On the way... the school (the short one) bus would go through Bethesda then through Kensington etc..on Connecticut Ave.. On Connecticut ave there was a little odd three wheel car which I thought was the coolest thing ever. Anyways, that little car told me about how the world can be very different indeed. Not sure why I'm telling you guys all this. I just appreciate people that DO what they wanted to do, and that was bad ass. Oh btw be careful!
Marlon Mark The world could indeed be very different if only people could see past how it is.
+OT Sales 2 I love when someone +1's an old comment, I like to be reminded of these things.
OT Sales 2 LOL, one of my sayings is "I support those who support the things I support"
And no, but I should have since I have family north of Charlotte. And I used to live in Winston Salem and Salisbury. But I have not been back for a long time. But rest assured that when I find myself down that way, I am in Chicago, that is on my list of things to do. But sadly I have a very long list of things to do and I had almost forgotten about this so was so glad someone +1'd my comment so I could be reminded. Plus that lets me undo and redo my thumbs up to put it in my other feeds again.
Do you have any customers in the Chicago area yet?
OT Sales 2 Really, I'm actually in Oak Lawn but most have not heard of that. I'm not that far from LeGrange though. Think you could arrange a look see?
as soon as i found the elf it was like love they're perfect for me purely because as a british 16 year old i can drive in a month and its been plaguing me whether to ignore my eco needs and buy a car or branch out the only real issue i have with the elf well two issues actually one is that its an american company so I'm not sure how they will work in the uk and two being money these things are expensive considering my bike does the same as this apart from the storage which is never really that nessasary anyway but still they are a beautiful piece of technology that will shape the future for the better
You should pay more attention to learning how to compose sentences properly. The bikes can wait.
Put Detroit to work building a million ELFs! When built on an industrial scale rather than an artisinal scale they could be be a fraction of the current price. These could replace cars for short-distance diving.
Agreed! Musk should stop making unsustainable heavy personal cars and crank out an improved version of the ELF or PEBL.
yes this is what the world need a car alternative
He should be marketing in Europe. Amsterdam would love it as bikes have the right of way over pedestrians. Awesome.
A container filled with four ELFs was sent to Denmark. That's like selling sand in the desert! Amsterdam already has its own bike industry.
i am so getting this someday, screw cars!
yes I'm with you no more gas
whitegemgames B Nincs
So did you get it yet?
Ive read here and elsewhere that an ELF cannot use standard bike paths.Not sure where this rumor started but it is incorrect.The ELF will travel easily on any standard bike path with room to spare.
Whatever it takes. Go for it!
I hope my city starts buying them for parking ticket patrol, can’t understand why they get full size trucks to write tickets
I look forward to getting laughed at in one of these!
Funny, no one laughs at me, they cheer, give thumbs up, honk in appreciation and take photos. Some actually yell 'thank you!' out their windows as they drive by.
@@whatsdrugs omg that happens in New York, California, washinton , and Virginia so much. Ewww nasty ppl that must be burn alive.
Muito bacana ..vou tentar fazer um pra mim pois gostei muito.Parabéns aos desenvolvedores
sou do Brasil
How long does the motor last? And can a replacement part be ordered easily in event one is needed quickly. I am interested in one but I want to see where the pricing is for replacement motors chains etc.
At least 30,000 miles if properly installed and maintained with proper alignment.
This is thoroughly excellent!~
Muy bonitos, muy buenas intensiones..... Pero muy caros para el material del que están hechos.... Un precio excesivo acaba con las buenas intensiones....
right on man!
Merveilleux nous désirons une version tandem pour faire nos reportage vidéo à travers le monde !
The PEBL is now $300 more than the ELF with the solar option included and they offer no warranty.
UPDATE - PEBL now has a $12,000 base price but it weighs 70 pounds more than the ELF and won't deal with hills.
We are seeing the future.
Very nice
The ELF is a great velo. Now, let's see how far we can push this basic design to make it cool. How much customizing can be done to it?
Different colors, two tone paint jobs look great on this. There are solid rims available. I customized mine in many ways. But the base model is cool as hell if you ask me. Nothing beats emissions free fully sustainable transportation in safety that no bicycle can offer. But it is the SUV of velos, if you want speed go for a streamliner bullet bike.
soooo wonderfull, love this one, hi from México.
Is there anyone selling the ELF in Central California? I love the Idea and can't wait to one day purchasing one myself. Blessings
your comment is years old but as of the time of me writing this their main website says the company is in bankruptcy and is for sale. sorry looks like no ELF's for you or for me. :(
Jacob ellinger I am a custom fabricator at a bike shop here in oregon and i have been playing around with making an elf style bicycle and soon to be completing my first one, if interested we can talk and figure out a game plan to build a custom reverse tricycle for you
My elf bike has steering wheel problems one wheel won't turn how do I fix it
Why so complicated? I've ridden years through rain and snow. A good bike, proper riding gear and paniers leaves $3500-$4000 in my pocket over this ride, and I'm less likely to run into or get run over by a car. Not to mention the better visibility due to the higher seating position of the bicycle. And, good luck parking this thing anywhere but in a parking lot $$$. KISS (Keep It Simple Smartguy).
Wrong on all counts! As a bicyclist you have no excuse for this ignorance. Crumple zones on this high visibility high profile vehicle that places your head at the same height as car drivers and features full DOT lighting makes this an extremely safe vehicle compared to any bicycle.
Really stupid comment about parking too, it is always easier to park the ELF in 1/3rd the space of a car and to fit it into otherwise not accessible spaces like motorcycle parking and on the sidewalk next to bike racks. I'm disabled and get to park my ELF right near the entrance doors of stores even without a disabled parking permit. Lock to any post.
I get what he’s saying I live in New York City an I don’t live in Manhattan so parking this is going to be hard for me whenever I do get one I’m going to have to pay for parking or it will get stolen for sure
Sou do Brasil, Como faço para eu receber dados deste veículo,? queria produzir . Obrigado
Nice invention. I just see a problem with rain coming in at the sides where it is open because it will come in that way for sure. It also would be nice if they had a bigger battery to double the mileage/speed. In colder weather you will need more than a seat warmer to keep warm and the cold will also reduce the efficiency of the battery.
you read my mind brother
Your problems do not exist in the real world. You stay warm by pedaling. The rain just blows by the open door, maybe your elbows get wet, no big deal. Doors are available but few want them.
Popeye Gordon nonsense, I constantly have to deal with rain falling at 45° due to wind, and even if I wait till after the rain stops I'll still often get soaked up to my knees due to potholes and uneven surfaces collecting massive amounts of rain water. Weather isn't a unified constant across the world. I've lived in near every biome, and this wouldn't appreciably help protect me during the storm season in any area I've lived in save northern California. If I still lived there, I'd be much more forgiving of its limited use cases, but right now...?
I actually do quite like this vehicle, but it isn't a sufficiently practical alternative in places with extreme weather. And to its credit, it doesn't claim to be! Every person and every environment has different needs. It doesn't undercut this vehicle to recognize that it's not appropriate for every area, the same way it doesn't undercut my bicycle to acknowledge that it's not appropriate for the freeway
I want one. Texas~Lubbock area
Sou do Brasil, gostaria de saber como faço para receber dados deste produto? Gostaria de produzir na minha região. Giovanni. Gravataí RS
Türkiye' ye ne zaman yollarsınız bunlardan..? Çok güzel.
It has a battery. Most of the vids and such about this vehicle don't bother to mention that fact. Now all I need is one that can do 45 MPH and a range of 20 miles.
It has a range of 25 miles now. The video is 7 years old, a long time for battery performance and cost changes. It is illegal to go faster than 20 MPH in an ebike in the US. It would be foolish to go 45 in a 160 pound trike. It is not designed for such speeds. Three owners have completed journeys between 4000 and 36,000 miles in an ELF with one extra battery. Any vehicle with a solar panel is assumed to have a battery.
Love this idea but why go with solar & not just pedal + wind as a power source? You wouldn't have to rely on the weather (or mined resources but I could be wrong since I don't know enough on that) & as long as you're moving it with a wind turbine in front or on top the vehicle would be powering up. It just sounds more practical & possibly cleaner that way.
This vehicle weighs 160 pounds. Any wind drag would only slow down the vehicle, wind generators on moving vehicles are an ignorant attempt to make perpetual motion, a scientific impossibility pursued by many high school dropouts. Trust me, you don't know more than a team of top notch engineers.
Ok,
Take my money by thanksgiving...
"Protection from the elements" but no doors
+ThruThe9 I suspect that they have doors, but they are an option. I've seen similar vehicles @ bike shops and there is an inclement weather option that is velcro based if memory serves me correctly...
Doors make it too hot. Rain just blows by the doors. Not an issue. I needed mine for sun protection but it offers so much more.
is it not possible to have dours ? And the bottum from the bike , is it not possible to close it for having no cold wind below?
What is the speed that you can drive with it ?
Two door styles are available but we don't like them, makes it too hot and the windows fog because we are exercising in the small space. In the US our laws limit top speed of motor to 20 mph. Slower in Europe.
is it available in Europe ?
@@ludwigvanosselaer4179 If you are willing to pay the shipping and it has to be converted to EU speed limit and pedelec. several have been shipped your way.
I'd like to see more actual stability info. Can you make a turn at 20mph?
Also like to find out where "contingency variable transmission" came from.
Reckless operation can be dangerous with any vehicle. I have never had one wheel leave the road yet, I just use common sense.
The NuVinci hub is the brand used.
What is the difference between EIF and bicycle speed please answer this
In the US, all electric assist bikes are limited to 20 mph speed by federal law. Bicycles with no electric assist are slower going up hills or into the wind.
Great idea
What is the maximum inclination of the road so that the micro car eBike are able to go up on it using only solar energy? How much does it cost in US$?
This is not a dealer page. Please go to OrganicTransit.com The 750 watt motor can pull as much as 1,800 watts from the battery while climbing hills and simultaneous pedaling lets you tackle steeper hills. The panel slowly charges a powerful 48 volt lithium battery. Not a micro car, a car-bike or more precisely, an electric assist velomobile. The current base price is $9K US. If mine was lost I'd order another one immediately. Shipping costs make this a toy for the wealthy if you live overseas.
@hector nadal False on all points. The frame is the classic tadpole trike design that has been used for years. US federal law defines this as an electric assist bicycle that is legal in all 50 states. Some local laws for trails vary but at least 99% of all US roads (but never interstate freeways) are legal for using the ELF. Two companies have sold over 1,100 of these and three ELF owners have gone on 4000 mile cross country trips. I have used my ELF every day on all local roads and bike trails for the last 4 years since getting rid of my car. The local Florida cops and sheriffs like my vehicle. This is a new industry and sustainable transportation design that is here to stay. Personal cars are already obsolete due to our climate emergency, you just don't know it yet.
this is F-ing awsome!
The problem is bicycle they are limited range limited load and the user must be in good physical shape. Some are made out of exotic metals, and when was the last time you saw a little old lady riding with her walker in tow. The bike shop is dependent on a power source such as fossil fuel along with needing trucks to deliver bikes and bike parts to his shop. Even in Amsterdam most ride there bikes to the rail station and back home. The ELF dose have some advantages over this as it can carry a larger load and someone with a balance problem the ELF will help over come this.
Sorry that is incorrect, these are sold to seriously disabled people. You don't have to pedal. This can mean priceless freedom for the disabled.
Cuando lo introducen en el mercado de México?
Is it coming to Australia? Though I may not use for now, others will.
Small company, huge shipping costs. Start building your own now. You have the sun for great solar powered vehicles.
emm y how much or how many this artefact.. plis ( aproximately)
how do you lock it up so people can not stealing it ??
It has a key lock for the power system. It can be cabled/chained to anything just like a bike, the brake rotor can be locked with common disc brake locks, a motion detector alarm of a hidden GPS tracker make security easy. Only two of 800 have been stolen, one recovered. The one not recovered was not locked by its owner.
Way Cool!Thisis in totally the opposite spirit of the "pop,bang "mentality.
Great kids toy too.
Is this available in Australia?
Does it plus into mains power to charge it, or is it totally dollar power?
The shipping to AU is far too much. The battery can easily be plugged in with the included AC charger but the solar panel works so well that some never need to plug in.
Is there any possibility to get it in India?
cuando estará en Colombia. Muy buena idea los felicito pero insisto podría estar en Colombia
The only person I know who had one was "Hannah's Dream Ride" I met her in WI at High Cliff State park!! She was an awesome lady----how is she doing????
She has a Facebook page. Sh's working on a book about her 4000 mile journey. facebook.com/Hannas-Dream-Ride-771762409598544/
The first to complete a 4000 trip was a Canadian who made a movie about it. Sustainable Joes offers that movie on RUclips. ruclips.net/video/OAYbM_n8_Zo/видео.html
Eine tolle Idee ist aber bestimmt sehr teuer
Impractical. listen to the bike guy, he makes sence.
No he does not, he is narrow minded with one track thinking. Blacksmiths hated the horseless carriage too.
Vai chegar quando ao brasil
hola buena noche me gusto muchos ELF como cuanto cuenta $ , soy mexico
Where is this Biskel sold in Germany? Thank you . I need one
Where can I buy this product?
Not exported outside the US. And the copany closed during the pandemic. Used ELFs for sale can be found on Facebook owner groups.
En donde puedo comprar uno. Vivo en argentina. Informacion por favor
OrganicTransit.com
You need a garage to put it in or it will be stolen. Sadly
Incorrect. It has a key for the ignition and can be cable or chain locked, a motion sensor alarm added or a GPS tracker hidden in it. Also use a disc brake lock.
cute and great
rád bych chtěl zjistit jestli se dají tyto vozítka zakoupit aji v ČR si je člověk musí nechat obědnat a kolik na české peníze by to bylo
the only thing im worried about is safety. other than that it looks so cool it coukd change our world
Safer than any bicycle.
I like to see your bike climb hills.
The ELF is good on hills because we combine motor and pedal power.
Olá quanto de peso da bicicleta
harikaaa,tam istedigim gibi
Gracias excelente....
Wow good good
$5,000 for a solar powered trike is CRAZY.
Not to mention it looks like it's made of plastic the way it's shaking when he's pedaling so no protection in an accident & no insurance because it's classified as a bike.
It IS crazy. They are insane. The problem is that there's no competition. So I guess I will make my own
+bahrta sai NO, its not crazy! As long as its well made and can last 5 or so years with reasonable care. Its good value as long as you use it regularly.
Say in comparision, a really cheap car cost 10k, if you do 90 percent of your getting around in an elf, thats a 9k value, PLUS the savings in parking, insurance, gas, cheaper repairs, you are talking big savings. Depending on what your monthly cost is, the thing will pay for itself in 1-2 years.
You keep posting these falsehoods but this is wrong. 800+ units sold and 3 million road miles logged, the ELF has been involved in 4 car crashes so far. No injuries yet. The body provides crumple zones and holds the driver inside. It bounces off cars and the dents will just pop back out.
Can you make me one too I can’t build anything
so if u go over a puddle youll get wet. looks like it does not have shocks
I don't get wet and mine has elastomer suspension and three inch tires.
how old do you have to be to use these?
Just reach the pedals and understand road rules and defensive driving.
the problem why they have so few orders is because of the price is so expensive actually I think the company targeted rich people for 3 000 dollars you can buy a used mini van and go faster , the solar panel is making the price go so high , one way this could be cheaper is by taking away the solar panel , the bike should be faster electric bikes are green but not efficient , because this bike is so big and slow it will block the traffic and is most likely to get hit by an angry driver , the price should be less and more efficient because for real the price is so high that few people can afford .
+victor larraondo The government limits the speed of an electric assisted bike.
+victor larraondo The solar panel on this ELF can be had on Amazon for $200, it just a flexible solor panel, nothing too high tech or expensive. In fact this is one of few vehicles that can charge entirely off of solar built into the vehicle. I'll tell you this brother, if for any reason gasoline becomes short or there is some kind of war in the Middle East stopping gas from coming here, your Mini Van will be good only as a spare bedroom, while this ELF will get up and go everyday.
victor - penny wise and pound foolish applies here. You pay at least $3000 more each and every year to drive cars. Mine paid for itself in less than 3 years, I got rid of my car.
Sir how can I bought it..
Are these still a able to get if so where
OrganicTransit.com
but i support these guys
Nice video, keep it up! :)
Hacen envíos internacionales y cuanto es su precio real.
Watch out for all those Big Boy, bad boy trucks out there. A lot of them are too macho to slow down for anything.
That has not proven to be a problem, not a single owner has been injured in actual collisions so far. You are just chicken.
Is good to hear.
Nice, and good side story, too. Screw car ownership! Though, I love the new all electric car and better, the autodrive cars (screw greedy traffic cops, they are not about safety, only about making money), it's too late for me. I rather spend $5000 on this then a $6000 segway. Maybe add room for a mini Ninebot or e-unicycle...😃
How to buy it in Viet Nam?
What about insurance in case someone hit's you or claims you caused an accident?
A little 160 lb vehicle going no faster than 20 mph poses no threat but you can insure it. I did for my first year. If someone hits you their insurance covers the damage.
velomobiel.nl quattrovelo has about the same cargo capacity but is less than half the weight and has about 1/4 the frontal area, so it is far easier to power at speed. It is also more stable (having four wheels, and lower centre of gravity). A real velomobile can be entirely human powered, this thing is far too heavy, and far too big for pedaling to be of much use. The aero is also awful, with the whole bottom of the vehicle being open so that in bad weather it will be awful... a quattrovelo has far better weather protection as well. When it's cold in a velo, the compartment is small enough that your body heat can be enough to be cozy. not with the elf, that's why they are talking about electric seats for colder climates. If you were actually pedalling usefully, that would not be an issue. Oh yeah, and the velomobiel has full suspension, so it will have a much smoother ride. You can have useful human powered car replacements, but Elf isn't it.
The 4 wheel bike is not legal in the US under federal law without license and insurance. The design you seem to favor will not take a passenger or 24 bags of groceries. It does not have a 550 pound payload capacity like the ELF which is the SUV or heavy hauler version of a velomobile. The ELF weighs 45 pounds less than the new competing vehicle by better.bike called the PEBL. The ELF has front suspension and the 3 inch fat tire option that give a smoother ride in regions where it is useful. MY ELF IS IN FACT AN EXTREMELY USEFUL FULL CAR REPLACEMENT that I have been using every day for the last 4 years. I'm too old and fat to climb in and out of a bathtub design, not an option. Since getting rid of my car 4 years ago I have saved $12,000 US which is much more then the ELF cost me. I have hauled 14 one gallon jugs of water, frozen turkeys, cases of beer, 6 one gallon pots holding landscaping shrubbery, and my trailer has hauled an air conditioner, 2 propane tanks, or 2 garbage cans full of leaves or recycling. The body shell of the ELF has been wind tunnel tested to prove that it only creates the same wind drag as a man on a bicycle. The ELF has two door styles available. Full enclosure is a mistake, we over heat and the windows fog. Rain falls down, not up, so I am happy with my partially open floor. Any more incorrect statements you wish to make?
gostaria conhecer projeto trazer brasil seria possível parceria
I'm quite angry over the fact that i'd love one of these but lawmakers seem to hate that idea...I guess they can't milk us for enough taxes that way. Quad ebikes and trikes aren't even allowed on the road here. Society needs to adapt and change. Not everyone needs or wants an automobile and all the expense that entails. There is no infrastructure for pedestrains or cycles to get around at all locally...though Amsterdam was able to do it in under 10 years. I think every city planner in the country should be forced to watch "Stroads" by Not Just Bikes.
Magnefique
put an alternator in order to recharge batteries in pedals mode
I agree, it's just that will get the price bigger
No that can not work without wearing out the driver. Regenerative features only work on larger heavy vehicles.
It takes you a full 24 hours of hard pedaling to recharge a battery this size. That's why solar is so much better.
Hello, a french video about elf ;-) @