Ford CEO told Trump 1 million jobs at stake because of fuel economy regs

Bloomberg is reporting that Mark Fields, Ford's CEO, pushed President Donald Trump for market-driven national fuel economy standards, and that up to a million jobs could be at stake if those national regulations didn't take consumer expectations into account.

Fields was reporting on his conversation with Trump in remarks made at the National Automobile Dealers Association in New Orleans, Bloomberg reports. The report also states that he and fellow CEOs Mary Barra of GM and Sergio Marchionne of FCA aren't seeking to eliminate fuel economy standards altogether, but rather to make them more flexible.

Bloomberg reports that Fields didn't cite the studies he was referring to in support of his job loss figures, so we can't independently verify Fields' math at this time. But his push to stop selling cars consumers don't want – that is to say, more hybrids and EVs than consumer demand supports right now – is clear. We've already reported on that.

To level an educated guess at what will happen next, Trump seems likely to reduce the stringent 2025 fuel economy targets, perhaps freezing them at current levels. The automakers are already invested in producing vehicles that meet current standards, and they also have to think about foreign markets like Europe that aren't likely to relax standards below current levels. If you consider economies of scale, automakers are likely to ask for federal standards that match global standards for their largest markets as closely as possible.

We'll see if Trump buys Fields' math, but Ford isn't hedging its bets. Backing out of the Mexican assembly plantcost the company $200 million – not a huge sum compared to the total value of Ford, a massive company which had its second best year ever, but still an important gesture to Trump about Ford's priorities.

PSA Group makes electric commercial vehicles available for car sharing in Paris

The city of Paris recently launched the electric commercial vehicle car sharing service for professionals, “VULe Partagés”. PSA Group is providing 80% of the vehicle fleet put into service.

Out of 10 vehicles available, 4 Peugeot Partner and 4 Citroën Berlingo are made available to users. This type of vehicle is suited to professional use, with 3 seats in the front and a fast charging, 80% within 30 minutes.The service launched on an experimental basis in the 2nd and 3rd arrondissement of Paris.

This experimental phase is being carried out as part of the Ile-de-France Region’s call for projects on “Innovation to promote sustainable mobility”. To use this service, traders and craftspeople in the city of Paris can register on-line on the website:www.vulepartages.fr

PSA Group today markets 5 electric vehicles: Peugeot i0n and Partner (commercial vehicle), Citroën E-Mehari, C-Zero and Berlingo (commercial vehicle). From 2019, 4 new electric vehicles will be available.

Electric airplane sets ascent record with Siemens drive system

An electric-drive Extra 330LE aerobatics plane recently set a world record in ascent in the category of “Electric aircraft weighing up to 1,000 kilograms. The pilot reached an altitude of 3,000 meters in only four minutes and 22 seconds, beating the previous record by one minute and 10 seconds. The airplane rose into the air at 11.5 meters per second.

The plane is equipped with a SP260D electric drive system from Siemens that has a continuous power output of 260 kW, continuous torque of 1,000 N·m, weighs only 50 kg, and thus offers an excellent power-to-weight ratio. Pilot Walter Extra broke the previous record set by the American pilot William M. Yates in 2013. The World Air Sports Federation—Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)—recognized the record-breaking flight.

This is a milestone on the path to electrification in aviation. This enormous achievement was possible only with digital technologies that enabled us to push our drive train to its technological limits.

—Frank Anton, who heads eAircraft within Siemens’ next4 startup unit

The Extra 330LE, which weights approximately 1,000 kilograms, serves as a test vehicle for the new drive. Its first public flight was in July 2016. For Siemens AG eAircraft, this record is proof of the performance of the SP260D drive system and its efficient integration into the airplane built by Extra Aircraft OEM.

The Extra 330LE two-seater will be the test aircraft for the coming years, when the goal will be to analyze and further develop how the individual components of its propulsion system work together. Siemens will also bring the technology to its electric flight collaboration agreement with Airbus, which the two companies signed in April 2016. 

They want to prove the technical feasibility of hybrid electric drive systems for regional aircraft with up to 100 passengers by 2020. This will require power ratings of up to 10 MW.

The two partners plan to develop hybrid electric regional aircraft on the basis of the record-breaking motor.

We expect to see the first aircraft with up to 100 passengers and a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers by 2030

—Frank Anton

Harvard Researchers Create Metallic Hydrogen In The Lab - VIDEO

Okay, file this under “Far out science news that may or may not be true and even if it is, so what?” Two researchers at Harvard University report that they have successfully created metallic hydrogen in laboratory conditions. Why is that a big deal? Well, first of all, it is one of those things that physicists always talk about among themselves as being theoretically possible. They just have never been able to do it.

Microscope images showing how hydrogen evolves from liquid hydrogen (200 GPa pressure), into “black” hydrogen and finally into metallic hydrogen at about 495 GPa pressure. Photo credit: Harvard University

Second, if there is such a thing as metallic hydrogen, it will upend science and technology in fundamental ways. It will be a room temperature superconductor, which means it could transform electronics. Anything and everything having to do with electricity — electric motors, maglev systems, and computers — would be orders of magnitude faster.

Supercomputers that are 10 times faster than anything available today would be possible. The Hyperloop would move a big step closer to reality with its ability to move people and things around the world faster than anyone ever thought possible. Metallic hydrogen could also be an ultra-dense rocket fuel, powering trips to Mars and other planets in ways never before imagined. The electrical grid would become many times more efficient, maximizing the power that can be created and distributed from renewable energy sources.

There’s only one problem. To make metallic hydrogen requires tremendous pressures and no one is sure what will happen when that pressure is removed. Will there be a bit of actual metal that can be touched and worked with or will the hydrogen just revert to its gaseous state? No one knows, least of all the scientists who conducted the experiment. Suffice it to say the announcement has met with significant skepticism from the scientific community.

Harvard professor Isaac Silvera and postdoctoral fellow Ranga Dias say they created metallic hydrogen by placing it under previously unimaginable pressure — 495 gigapascal or more than 71.7 million pounds per square inch. Let’s put that into perspective. The pressure at the center of the earth is a mere 365 gigapascal. It is 4.9 million times the pressure at the Earth’s surface and equivalent to the pressure of the water over your head if you had the misfortune to be standing at the bottom of an ocean that is 49,150 kilometers deep.

“This is the Holy Grail of high pressure physics,” Silvera said of the quest to find the material. “It’s the first ever sample of metallic hydrogen on Earth, so when you’re looking at it, you’re looking at something that’s never existed before.” He goes on to say, “One prediction that’s very important is metallic hydrogen is predicted to be meta-stable. That means if you take the pressure off, it will stay metallic, similar to the way diamonds form from graphite under intense heat and pressure, but remain diamonds when that pressure and heat are removed.” Maybe. That’s the part that hasn’t been proven yet.

The researchers are enthusiastic about the potential for metallic hydrogen. “It takes a tremendous amount of energy to make metallic hydrogen,” Silvera explains. “And if you convert it back to molecular hydrogen, all that energy is released, so that would make it the most powerful rocket propellant known to man, and could revolutionize rocketry.” In theory, metallic hydrogen would have more than 4 times the power of the most powerful rocket fuel known to science. “That would easily allow you to explore the outer planets,” Silvera said. “We would be able to put rockets into orbit with only one stage, versus two, and could send up larger payloads, so it could be very important.”

“Junk science,” says physicist Eugen Gregoryantz at the University of Edinburgh according to a report in Norwegian news source Side 3. He thinks the experiment has several flaws. Others are taking a wait and see attitude. “If this is true, then it will be fantastic. This is something we’ve been working towards for decades,” says Carnegie Mellon researcher Reinhard Boehler.  In fact, the existence of metallic hydrogen was originally postulated more than 100 years ago.

Is there anything to this story other than a topic of conversation at the next International Congress of Nerds? Maybe not, but as the head of the US Patent Office famously declared on New Year’s Eve, 1899, “Everything that can be invented has now been invented.” Minds are like parachutes. They only work when they are open. This may not be anything that affects your life or mine today or even in the foreseeable future but that doesn’t mean it won’t affect the lives of future generations.

Tesla Model S Is World’s Best-Selling Plug-in Car For Second Year In A Row

There’s something to be said for Tesla’s Model S which for the second consecutive year led as the world’s best-selling plug-in passenger vehicle.

Its estimated 50,931 global sales in 2016 – pending final confirmation from Tesla – beats those of battery electric and plug-in hybrid alternatives from major manufacturers costing less and aimed at an ostensible mainstream demographic.

As you’ll see in the list of the top-10 global best sellers below, despite being a relatively luxury class car which could be expected to sell in lower volumes, the Model S is perceived as so good, its demand has kept it on top in sales.

This might also be interpreted as an indictment on the perceived value proposition of lower priced vehicles, as certainly cars costing from the high $20,000s to low $40,000s ought to sell better than one costing from the $60,000s to $160,000s.

So it goes. For now.

The major automakers of the world are otherwise also aware of the runaway success enjoyed since 2012 by the upstart from California, and to stay ahead of regulations, they say they’ll be adding many more competitive plug-ins.

By 2025, the three largest manufacturers of Europe say the plug-in electrified vehicles they will be selling then will range between 15-25 percent of their total volume. That is a huge promise, if it comes to pass, as they currently sell several millions of vehicles annually – as many as 10 million in VW Group’s case – and other carmakers besides are also being pulled into the fray.

Meanwhile, within a market that started in earnest just after the beginning of this decade, Tesla is doing well. The Model S’ 50,931 estimated sales are a good bit above 31,400 sales of the Chevy/Holden Volt and Opel/Vauxhall Ampera siblings in 2012 when those first-generation models were still fresh.

The Model S does not however top the 61,507 Nissan Leafs sold in 2014 which remains the most plug-in cars sold in one year.

For that matter, neither do any of the other vehicles on the top-10 best-sellers list this year – a list that has seen other upstarts coming in and this one-upmanship process will only intensify in years ahead.

Notable also, is Tesla was not the world’s best-selling plug-in brand. The 76,243 global combined sales of the Model S and X did not top those of China’s BYD, tallying to 101,183 just in China – reflecting the dominance of that market which also managed to place four best sellers in the top 10 list.

Speaking of which, here it is:

10. BAIC E-Series EV – 18,814

The design of the BAIC E-Series was more than a little “inspired” by the Mercedes B-Class Electric, and in China where it’s exclusively sold, 18,814 units found their way to new owners last year.

In 2015 it sold 16,488, so sales were up 14 percent and has remained in the 10th place position the past couple years.

9. BYD e6 – 20,605

The BYD e6 has been around since 2009, and was U.S. EPA certified a few years back as the carmaker thought to sell it here, though never did.

Last year an upgraded battery almost tripled sales to 20,605 units making it China’s best-selling pure battery electric car.

It is mainly a China market car, but does see taxi duty in other small markets though those sales figures are not reported.

8. BYD Qin – 21,868

BYD’s Qin plug-in hybrid is quick, and popular, having been China’s best selling plug-in car during 2014 and 2015, and last year it sold 21,868 units.

Due to other rising models, the Qin’s place on the top-10 list fell from number four in 2015.

Its cumulative 68,655 sales from launch through December are the highest among China’s New Energy Vehicles.

7. Renault Zoe – 22,009

The Zoe also got a new battery recently, but its popularity in Europe during 2016 was already in place to enable 22,009 sales, a 16 percent increase over 2015.

It is the top-selling EV in Europe.

6. BMW i3 – Est. 25,500

The i3 by BMW saw slow growth of 6 percent last year, and its 25,500 sales meant it fell from its fifth place position in 2015

On a bright note, it was Germany’s best-selling plug-in car. That country’s new incentive program has not boosted sales as much as had been hoped however, and the i3’s volume in Germany was just 2,863 units.

As BMW stopped reporting monthly i3 sales figures last year, its sales estimate here is from main country markets.

5. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – Est. 27,700

Of the estimated 27,700 global sales for Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV, 21,446 came from Europe.

This SUV has been delayed to the U.S. numerous times and points to the popularity SUVs could have in this country if made into plug-ins.

In Norway, where they can’t get enough of plug-ins, it actually broke the dominance held by battery electrics until 2015 and was its top-selling plug-in last year.

Popular also in the Netherlands, UK, and Sweden, the Outlander PHEV fell two places on the top-10 list and had been third in 2015.

4. Chevrolet Volt – 28,208

The extended-range Volt climbed from eighth place in 2015 when it was revised for the 2016 model year.

Its 28,208 sales are from the U.S. and Canada only, and the 24,739 sales from the U.S. comprised 87.7 percent of the total.

It was Canada’s best-selling plug-in vehicle with 3,469 sold.

BYD Tang – 31,405

Look at this: A Chinese crossover SUV few people outside of plug-in enthusiast circles have even heard of is third place.

BYD’s Tang has more horsepower than a Chevrolet Corvette and the crossover’s 31,405 sales enabled it to climb from seventh place in 2015 to third.

It also dethroned its family relation, the Qin as China’s best-selling plug-in car.

2. Nissan Leaf – 49,226

Nissan’s former world sales leader in 2013 and 2014 has trailed in second place for two years now as a new 2018 model awaits revelation this year.

The Leaf has been the closest thing to a mainstream market EV, and does lead the world by far with more than 250,000 cumulative sales.

Its chief markets with sales following are Europe (18,716), Japan (14,795), U.S. (14,006), Canada (1,375), and the rest of the world accounts for 328 units.

When the next-generation Leaf is released it’s to be competitive with the Chevy Bolt EV and others expected in the over-200 mile EV club at this sub $40,000 price level, which should help its sales quite a bit.

1. Tesla Model S – Est. 50,931

The Model S sales are preliminary, subject to Tesla’s fourth quarter report in which it is expected to publish the actual figure. Historically, it’s been higher by a few dozen units.

Assuming 50,931 units, sales have actually about flattened, as this is just 1 percent above 2015’s 50,446 sales.

Most Model S sales come from the U.S. – 57 percent, or 29,156 units – and in the states it has likewise been the best selling plug-in for two years running.

Other top markets include China (about 6,000), Norway (2,051), Hong Kong (over 2,000), the Netherlands (1,693), Canada (about 1,500), Germany (1,474) and Switzerland (1,299).

Here’s the car whose sales will run away from those of the Model S – as Tesla intends it to do. The Model 3 is expected late this year, and by 2018 sales could be in full swing for this $35,000 and up EV.

The Model S otherwise enjoys status as the first widely available series-production electric car with over 200 miles range, and the highest-range version now is estimated at 335 miles.

It also comes in all-wheel drive, and semi-autonomous “Autopilot” expected to go full autonomous this year. Blazing 0-60 and quarter mile acceleration is also available – enough to out sprint large-displacement four-cylinder motorcycles, something unheard of only a few years ago.

The S model engineered and manufactured in the United States has for these and many more reasons garnered a fan base.

While the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Audi, all say they will have cool electric cars too in the next three years or so, the Model S remains a tough act to follow.

Trump Meets Big 3 CEOs Pledging to Dismantle ‘Unnecessary’ Environmental Regulations

Top executives from Detroit automakers met with President Trump on Tuesday to hear his statements on cutting back environment regulations to spur more domestic job creation.

Trump said he will curtail “unnecessary” environmental regulations and make it easier to build manufacturing plants in the U.S. He expects these changes to support bringing back more manufacturing jobs to Americans, a key theme from his election campaign.

“I am, to a large extent, an environmentalist. I believe in it, but it’s out of control,” Trump said.

The new administration will focus on “real regulations that mean something” while eliminating those that he finds unfriendly to business, he said.

Chief executives Mary Barra of General Motors, Mark Fields of Ford, and Sergio Marchionne of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles met with the president. Other top executives from the “Big 3” automakers were also there with some of Trump’s staff.

These executives declined to answer media questions after the meeting, including whether Trump spoke to any specific regulations he plans to cut.

Barra and Fields did make comments supportive of the meeting.

“There is a huge opportunity working together as an industry with government that we can improve the environment, improve safety, and improve jobs creation and the competitiveness of manufacturing,” Barra said to reporters after the meeting.

Fields saw positive signs in Trump’s decision the day before on the U.S. withdrawing from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. He sees it as a good example of the president’s desire to improve competitiveness and “create a renaissance in American manufacturing.”

Trump had set the tone for the meeting through a tweet soon before the meeting:

Trump has been clear about wanting to dismantle the Trans-Pacific Partnership and to stop renewal of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Since the election, he‘s been pressuring automakers to pull out of Mexico and bring back more jobs to the U.S., through a series of Twitter posts. Automakers have been responding to the pressure, including Toyota’s announcement yesterday that it will create 400 new jobs at its plant in Princeton, Ind.

The carmaker CEOs were advised yesterday by Trump to devise a “series of actions” that will boost U.S. manufacturing and to submit those plans to the administration within 30 days, according to Washington Post.

Auto executives have been in communication with the Trump administration over the Environmental Protection Agency’s abrupt decision to finish the midterm review of the 2025 fuel economy mandate. They’re asking for an easing up of the Obama administration and EPA’s targets for hitting fuel economy gains and emissions reductions that automakers say will cost them billions to reach and could result in job cuts.

Automakers will be interested in seeing whether Trump’s appointment for the EPA administrator will be approved. Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt said during the Senate confirmation hearing that he would be taking a thorough approach to reviewing the EPA head’s decision earlier this month to approve the fuel economy and emissions timeline.

“It merits review and I would review that,” Pruitt said during the hearing last week.

Some organizations had supported the EPA’s decision to move the fuel economy rules forward in January. Consumers Union, which owns Consumer Reports, sees the mandate as attainable, and constructive for cutting cost of ownership down significantly for consumers through fuel savings.

Daniel Becker, director of the Safe Climate Campaign advocacy group, told Washington Post that job creation doesn’t have to clash with regulations having a positive impact on the environment. Fuel economy standards can help consumers save money at the gas pump and free up the country from its oil dependence, he said.

“Despite the rhetoric, there is often reason behind regulations, and in this case there is overwhelming evidence of how beneficial they are for consumers, the industry and overall Americans,” Becker said.

Trump has also pledged to reduce corporate taxes. He advocates other measures that he says will support the U.S. economy and bring back jobs to Americans who have been watching them go overseas.

The president has been threating to enforce a 35 percent tariff on goods imported for sale. He’d threated to impose that hefty tariff earlier this month on BMW because of its new plant in Mexico and plans to import these vehicles into the U.S.

On Monday, Trump met with several business leaders from several industries, including Fields and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

Washington Post

Nissan and BMW to Double EVGo Fast Charging Network

BMW and Nissan are leading the way when it comes to accessible EVs with their hot-selling i3 and Leaf models, respectively. Now, the two companies have teamed up to make owning a zero-emission electric car even easier: by doubling the size of the EVGo fast-charging network.

According to the infographic, above, the move will put 90% of BMW and Nissan electric car owners within range of the EVGo network, allowing i3 and Leaf owners to add 75 miles of electric driving range to their day in just about thirty minutes. That’s a significant improvement over my “charge it all day and still barely make it home” experience in Mitsubishi’s iMiEV back in 2015!

You can check out the official Nissan version of the EVGo press release, below, then let us know what you think of the expanded EV network in the comments section at the bottom of the page. Enjoy!

Nissan and BMW Partner Once Again to Expand DC Fast Charging Access Across the US

• An additional 174 EVgo-networked 50kW DC Fast charging stations have been installed across 33 states to facilitate easier longer distance electric vehicle travel for Nissan LEAF and BMW i3 drivers, and all EV drivers
• EVgo is the nation’s largest public DC Fast charging operator, currently offering nearly 670 DC Fast charging stations across the U.S.
• An additional 50 dual-port DC Fast chargers are planned for 2017, through this new Nissan/BMW partnership
• Each of these publicly available charging stations offers both CHAdeMO and SAE Combo (CCS) connectors, suitable for all DC Fast charging-capable electric vehicles in the U.S.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. and WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. – Nissan and BMW, two of the top EV manufacturers, have again joined forces – this time with EVgo, the nation’s largest public DC Fast charging network – to increase public access to DC Fast charging stations across the U.S., with an additional 174 locations in 33 states now available to all EV owners in those markets, and over 50 more planned to be installed in 2017, supported by the partnership.

The breadth of EVgo’s expansive fast charging network now totals 668 dual-port DC Fast charging stations installed and available to all EV drivers across the United States, with access to new chargers continually growing. This expansion, designed to support Nissan LEAF and BMW i3 customers and to promote increased adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) nationwide, builds on the 120 dual-port DC Fast chargers that Nissan and BMW announced together in December 2015.

Nissan and BMW are both committed to supporting greater access to public DC Fast charging across the US, in response to increasing demand from EV drivers in a growing number of cities for access to conveniently located fast charging options – to travel even farther with ease.

“BMW’s continuing collaborations with Nissan and EVgo, further demonstrate the company’s commitment to building a robust public charging infrastructure across the country. We are on the forefront of an industry-wide commitment to support the expansion of convenient and accessible electric vehicle charging options,” said Robert Healey, head of EV Infrastructure for BMW of North America. “The expansion of the plug-in vehicle charging infrastructure will give more U.S. drivers the confidence to choose an electric vehicle, such as the BMW i3, as longer distance EV travel becomes increasingly commonplace.”

“Nissan continues as a leader in building accessible infrastructure to benefit Nissan LEAF drivers as well as all EV owners. Infrastructure for all is a key strategic priority for us as we continue expanding the network of dual-port quick chargers across the country,” said JeSean Hopkins, senior manager, Nissan EV Infrastructure Strategy & Business Development. “We look forward to ongoing teamwork and the continued build-out of public quick-charge stations.”

“EVgo is delighted to expand our partnership with BMW and Nissan, and to be able to bring more loyal i3 and LEAF owners around the country access to our convenient, premium DC Fast charging services. We are constantly looking at strategic ways to expand our network and promote EV adoption to help make every day EV use a reality for our OEM partners and their vehicle owners,” said Rob Barrosa, vice president, OEM Strategy and Business Development at EVgo.

Each location offers a dual 50 kW DC Fast charging station with both CHAdeMO and SAE Combo (CCS) connectors, serving owners of both Nissan LEAF and BMW i3 electric cars, as well as all EV drivers in the U.S. whose vehicles – regardless of brand – are equipped with quick-charge ports. These 50 kW stations can charge EVs from Nissan and BMW up to 80 percent in about 25-30 minutes, as compared to the longer time required to recharge at a Level 2 (240V) charger, currently the most commonly available public charging station.

Nissan LEAF owners can find these chargers using the Nissan LEAF EZ-Charge smartphone app. BMW i3 drivers can easily locate the charging stations with ConnectedDrive in the vehicle, using either the in-vehicle Navigation or the BMW ConnectedApp.

With the majority of these DC Fast chargers already installed and active, these EVgo charging stations are strategically located near shopping and dining establishments along convenient, well-traveled routes. The additional dual-port chargers being installed in 2017 as part of the expansion are also planned to be easily accessible to EV owners on the go.

With this partnership, upwards of 90 percent of BMW i3 and Nissan LEAF drivers can easily take advantage of DC Fast charging at an EVgo station nearby.

Since the launch of Nissan LEAF – the world’s best-selling electric car – Nissan has reinforced its commitment to zero-emission mobility with investments in EV charging infrastructure to serve the needs of LEAF drivers in markets across the U.S. Nissan also recently introduced the new 2017 LEAF, which comes with an EPA range of 107 miles, making it the first affordable EV to get more than 100 miles on a single charge. Nissan LEAF gets 126 MPGe city and 101 MPGe highway on S models, and 124 MPGe city and 101 MPGe highway on SV and SL trim levels. All LEAF models feature an 80kW AC synchronous motor that generates 107 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque, providing a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience.

BMW i is focused on the development of visionary vehicles and mobility services, inspiring design, and a new understanding of premium that is strongly defined by sustainability. The BMW i3, the first all-electric production vehicle from the BMW Group, has won numerous awards around the world and has been the standout in the electric vehicle field since its launch in 2013. Among the many awards, in 2014 the BMW i3 was selected as both World Green Car and World Car Design of the Year. In 2015, the BMW i3 was named Green Car Journal Green Car of the Year as well as Yahoo Autos Green Car. The BMW i3 electric motor was also named to that year’s list of Ward’s Auto’s 10 Best Engines. With a 170 horsepower electric motor, the 2017 BMW i3 is available with a 33-kWh lithium-ion battery, and can travel emissions free for up to 114 miles on a charge. The 360° Electric program, offering products and services to support new BMW EV and plug-in vehicle owners, and extensive investments in public infrastructure underscore BMW’s continued commitment to sustainable mobility.

Source | Images: Nissan.

Sick of Waiting: Elio Motors Trike “Owners” Start Filing Lawsuits

With bad financial news coming out of Elio Motors’ official SEC filings and even more announced delays in production of the Elio three-wheeler, many reservation-holders are getting sick of waiting. They’re so sick of waiting, in fact, that at least one Elio “owner” has decided to take the company to court in a bid to get his money back.

Reddit user jimmybob479 announced on the popular message board that he had filed a lawsuit against Elio Motors in his home state. His original post read, “I looked up their registered agent in my state, filed a small claims lawsuite with my local justice of the peace and paid to have a constable serve the papers to their registered agent. Anyone else done this yet?”

That last question opened up the floor to other commenters, who said things like, “They (Elio Motors) deserve all the hellfire that will soon be directed against them. They still don’t appear to have an actual prototype on the roads now seven years after the debut of P2 in February 2010, which is when they began making these fantastic claims,” and “They might not even have enough money in the bank to pay you back your deposit.”

As of this writing, there was no word posted to the /eliomotors subreddit regarding the results of the lawsuit (which, in all likelihood, won’t get its day in court for some time), but I’ll keep checking in on it to
if when other Elio “owners” get the message and start to clamor for their money back, as well. Good luck with that, Jimmy!

Source: Reddit.