Jimmy interviews Rob Cotter, founder and CEO of Organic Transit, about the ELF, a solar-assisted, pedal-powered electric vehicle designed as a lightweight alternative to traditional cars. Cotter explains that the three-wheeled vehicle combines human power, a battery, and rooftop solar charging, and describes features such as a reported 122-mile range with two battery packs, a top speed of around 28 mph in its bicycle classification, and the ability to provide backup power for a home.
The Electric, Light and Fun (ELF) car is considered to be a bicycle because it is under one horsepower. Cotter says the company has built and sold approximately 850 vehicles that have collectively traveled about 10 million miles. The conversation highlights the ELF’s potential benefits, including lower operating costs, reduced emissions, exercise, and less dependence on oil. Cotter argues that small, efficient vehicles could be a practical alternative for many short trips as 50% of trips in the US are under 3 miles.
Typical prices range from $10,000 to $15,000 with plans to bring the price down to $7,500. Critics say that China sells electric bikes for much less.
