Elf Velomobile by Organic Transit
 

I saw this a few days ago, and it is great to see this sort of vehicle coming onto the market. It is a reverse trike model called the Elf and it is built by Organic Transit:

[youtube]pVKrR68RFZw#![/youtube]

They also have a larger fully enclosed utility trike model called the TruckIt. They have an active Kickstarter campaign to raise $100K to help them increase their production. It looks like they will make their goal with lots of time to spare.

http://c276521.r21.cf1.rackcdn.com/w...rganic-elf.jpg

They are pretty serious on the production methods!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQogddZNIHY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtW_MWFMZ7w

I think velomobiles are interesting. Just did some research, there's a lot of them. On velomobileusa.com, they show a whole bunch of them. They're all pretty expensive though($7000), best one seems like the Elf, since its about 4000 estimated. Also of the velomobiles I've seen so far the Elf is the one that has the best visibility, with a cab.

That press/mold really brought costs down. Mine was done "airplane style" with molds and a huge 400 degree oven. The fairing outlasted the Lexan windshield, and the trike under it needed a rebuild in 2010. But it was not for the masses That Elf pressing allows mass producing. Neat! Thanks for sharing Neil. Too bad they are not building in CA.

Their Kickstarter fund drive is specifically intended to expend their production to other cities. They know that running multiple smaller production facilities is better than one bigger one - they spread out the jobs, and give each local market a stake in the sales of their vehicles.

Good on Organic Transit! We need more companies like them.

Organic Transit is now shipping the Elf, which is great! They ended up raising over $223,000 which is way over their target. Here are some new concept computer models of future Elf's, including a tandem 2 seat design:

http://astounde.com/wp-content/uploa...1x.Em_.156.jpghttps://si0.twimg.com/profile_images...s_NoTrunk1.jpg

Here is an article that shows (what I think is) the production Elf:

ELF: Hybrid Solar / Pedal Vehicle by Organic Transit | Ubergizmo

ELF-Organic-Transit-01photo fromELF: Hybrid Solar / Pedal Vehicle by Organic Transit - Ubergizmo

That is very good news. Ever since the Zap slowed down 3-wheelers seem to be disappearing. 3 years ago I was going to rebuild mine, but I lost interest. It makes more sense to me to buy one instead of having 3 years doing without a living room as I use it as a workshop!

Very interesting. I drive a tiny little car, but it seems like these things might be hard to get used to on the open road.

This is a new video about the Organic Transit ELF:

AOL.com Video - Funded: ELF

Rob Cotter mentions that he collaborated with (C.) Michael Lewis on the design of the ELF. Michael is the fellow who had the record setting Electrathon vehicle at the 2010 event in Watkins Glen:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post173941

It's a small world after all!

Below are photos of the Elio- one in about 2007, one in 2012, and the only one I know of to exist is doing as US tour today. I sure wish 3-wheelers would hurry up a little getting to the market. (I am just too lazy to rebuild my velomobile- rather buy than build :-D )

Gotta confess thatI considered it actually interesting, altough I would probably not get one for myself...

IMO it's way too big and heavy (150 lbs, with hopes to reduce that to 100 lbs) for what it does.

For comparison, a very popular EU velomobile weighs in at around 60 , though it won't carry as much inside.

The Pod I had weighed 60 without the roof, and 70 with side windows and roof. Then in 2007 a hub motor, controller, and 3 12 volt batteries brought it to 110 pounds. Not easy to lift any more (found out the hard way- pulled a ligament in my back). Mine went "like a bat"; but the Elf is like a "Model A" :(

I was very pleased to see this today about Elf expansion back in the eastern US, but also expansion to San Jose, California - about 45 miles from here:
ELF Builders See Santa A Little Early This Year | EarthTechling
I have a 3-wheel scooter sold in San Jose that was built in China, the Elf would be a definite improvement over that! 3- wheelers seem to be a vanishing breed on the west coast.

I really like the ELF, but I can build an electric boosted velomobile for around $2500. My bargain basement velomobile would not be as spaceous as the ELF, but would still allow all weather commuting.

Can you post pictures and/or build details, please?

Me? I thought I posted #s somewhere; but body alone cost $3000., cheapo trike was $1400, motor/controller/3 batts were $1000. , braces/shocks/stereo maybe $500. so roughly about $5000 will get a one-only project on the road. Keeping it on the road is another ball of wax! 7 years later and it sits in the corner. I am through!!!

Here is my recipe for the $2500 velomobile. It's not competitive. Just a way to get to work. I have commuted on bicycles, gas assisted bikes and and an e-bike. I'm willing to perform the problem solving, maintenance and general tinkering that comes with a home built contraption.
Terratrike Rover $699 I would purchase the 1 spd and add a derailleur, shifter and cogset I already have in my garage. The Rover seat bottom is an inch higher than the other models, which would benefit me at dangerous intersections.
TerraTrike
Blue Sky Designs HPV body $400 plus shipping. I don't want the floor pan (Need ground clearance in contruction zones). I don't want the glass canopy as it would certainly fog up in my climate;
Blue Sky Design - HPV
Here is the Flevo Roof $350. No fogging.
Accessories | Velocity Velos
Rear internally geared hub motor kit w/36v SLA $600 (Add $400 for Lipo batteries)
E-bike kits store, complete kits
http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/016..._large.jpg?927

Now there's a more basic, down to earth velomobile !

Sacrificing sheer speed and lowest drag for a far simpler, easier and cheaper to construct bathtub shape.

I will likely add a faux grill to the front, but pass on the TX traditional bull horns above the grill.

Wheelbender6, that's great stuff, thank you! There is a Terratrike dealer here in Mass, and the rear wheel motor with cogset is really good. I would like to try to build my own shell; but after I get a lot more done on my CarBEN EV5.