First, I should say hello Daily Kos community! I've been a reader for a while now but have never taken the next step. Now I'm writing a diary so I guess I skipped a couple steps in there. Hope that's ok...
Second, I want anyone reading this to know that I don't work for Elio and this is not a Matthew Mcconaughey/Lincoln commercial. Although I have reserved one. What it is, however, fits nicely in the type of activism Daily Kos is a part of I think. If you're not familiar with the Elio then I invite you to read up a little on it at their website. The Elio is made for simple commuting for 1 to 2 people. And when you consider that most of the car seats on the road right now are empty that makes a lot of sense. Basically it's an enclosed, 3 wheeled, 1 driver, 1 rear passenger, gasoline powered prototype at this point. The reason this is exciting is because it will only be $6800 when it hits the market next year. The other reason it is exciting is the Elio boasts 84 mpg. I'll admit that I got a little excited myself when I first heard about it and I try not to get caught up in the hype, especially before the thing is even available. When I first heard about the Smart car I got excited and was let down by the less than average mpg it achieved and the ratio-of-car-to-price-tag. I agree that using less materials and making a smaller, more economical car is the right direction but where's the savings man? The Elio hits the mark on these and other important criteria. Bonuses like it will be made in America in an old GM plant, you don't have to compromise safety, it's mostly made of previously existing parts, you only worry about 3 tires and 1 axle, and it uses a technology you already know (internal combustion). It's also the first start up to build a newly designed engine in 60 years, made specifically to fit it's requirements.
So have I made a convincing argument? Well, here's the catch. Now I'm going to ask something of you. Elio is looking for funding. One of the funding options they have is an ATVM loan through the DOE. I came across a petition on whitehouse.gov in support of Elio. I wrote this to invite you to sign it here:
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/...
Buh Bye!
Fredrick Theodore Tucker
Well written diary from Ashaman
http://www.dailykos.com...