[2][3] As early as 2015, The New York Times noted Elio Motors was selling "spots on the waiting list — and, more broadly, a dream.

The design idea included multiple air bags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, steel unibody frame, and crumple zones and a three-wheeled autocycle configuration with two wheels in front, one in back.

Advertisements in 2017 illustrated a base price target of $7,450 for the gas motor version and suggested to achieve up to 84 mpg-US (2.8 L/100 km) on the highway and up to 49 in the city.

[5] Elio's marketing suggested that 100 pre-production fleet vehicles could be built at its Shreveport, Louisiana manufacturing facility if additional funds are secured.

[12] The idea of 100 pre-production fleet vehicles was teased in December 2016, however social media replies on Nov 1, 2017, from Elio Motors said, "We are targeting the start of production in 2019".

[13] On August 3, 2017, Elio filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to have an initial public offering (IPO) for its common stock in order to raise $100 million in capital.

[15][16] In December 2016, the date was announced to have moved to 2018,[2] and on Nov 1, 2017 in a Facebook reply, Elio Motors mentioned the start of production aimed for 2019.

[3] In January 2019, Elio stated: "The production date is estimated to be 76 weeks from the timely and successful completion of our current and subsequent fundraising efforts.

[18] The Elio web site blog[19] and press release areas were not updated between December 2019 and September 9, 2021, when a redesigned website emerged and announced the company's intention to produce an electric motor version of their three-wheeled vehicle at double the cost.