As with the hybrids: display your conspicuous Greenishness ... at prices demanding full former-middle-class budgets; seems to me that Elio's focus is just-Right.
(All I really need' is a early Morris MInor (were that not also a collectible) or a pristine Citroën Ami-6 (ditto.)
Yes, I'm an outlier; no lengthy commutes and rare long treks (could retain the Plutocrat for that--what it was designed for, and 31-ish mpg if driven like s Scotsman: insure as needed? etc.) Nor need I ever face salted roads and climbing into a freezer. The Elio's std. A/C takes care of the rising temps--long as I could care.
Finally: yes I Can do all an Elio's maintenance and likely all other R&R except crunched bodywork.. something I've hardly ever needed. Use what you know how to do!

It shouldn't take an extra $7K.. to out-do an Elio's er, under-packaging? to drive roadways with Semis and drunk SUV drivers enroute to a roll-over. My hope is that I'm not alone in willingness to settle for a cockpit not trying to emulate a living room, less than jewelry-grade appearance items--standard Shininess on most-all new cars. (To me that 'pref' belongs to another era, along with planned triennial obsolescence.)

Guess I'll find out in just a few years if my list appeals to more than just moi. ('Course too, Elio's infrastructure may or may not manage the volume needed to stay solvent at this guesstimated price.)