The Eli ZERO is a real two-seat electric microcar, but it is not a conventional car and its U.S. launch did not happen on the original schedule. Eli announced a starting price of $11,990 and expected U.S. availability in 2024. The company later disclosed in an SEC filing that tariffs delayed the launch to 2025. As of August 13, 2026, authoritative public information still does not establish nationwide retail availability, a complete dealer network, or current inventory.
That makes the ZERO interesting—but only for a specific kind of driver. It is a 25-mph low-speed vehicle (LSV) designed for short urban, neighborhood, campus, resort, and planned-community trips. It cannot replace a normal highway-capable car for most households.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Eli ZERO is a real two-seat electric microcar, but it is not a conventional car and its U.S. launch did not happen on the original schedule. Eli announced a starting price of $11,990 and expected U.S. availability in 2024. The company later disclosed in an SEC filing that tariffs delayed the launch to 2025. As of August 13, 2026, authoritative public information still does not establish nationwide retail availability, a complete dealer network, or current inventory.
That makes the ZERO interesting—but only for a specific kind of driver. It is a 25-mph low-speed vehicle (LSV) designed for short urban, neighborhood, campus, resort, and planned-community trips. It cannot replace a normal highway-capable car for most households.
#1 Best Overall
- EXCITING THEMES! Micro Machines World Packs come in various iconic themes, the perfect way to jumpstart your Micro Machines car collection!
- FULL PLAYSET! Each World Pack contains five themed vehicles and a related Micro City Environment for play or display!
- CONNECT AND EXPAND! Your Micro Machines World Pack environment connects to other playsets to expand the world!
- AUTHENTIC DETAILS! The eye-catching Micro Machines vehicles feature details inspired by their real-life versions!
- CLASSIC TOY! Micro Machines vehicles have been a household favorite for over 30 years! The nostalgic toy is back with all the features you loved and more!
What is the Eli ZERO?
The Eli ZERO is a very small, rear-wheel-drive electric vehicle from Los Angeles-based Eli Electric Vehicles. In its U.S. configuration, Eli classifies it as a low-speed vehicle or neighborhood electric vehicle.
| Specification | Eli ZERO |
|---|---|
| Seats | Two, side by side |
| Classification | U.S. LSV/NEV |
| Top speed | 25 mph |
| Maximum claimed range | 60 or 90 miles, depending on configuration |
| Battery options | 8-kWh or 12-kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) |
| Motor | 6-kW rated rear-mounted motor |
| Length | Approximately 88.6 inches |
| Width | Approximately 54.3 inches |
| Height | Approximately 64.4 inches |
| Cargo capacity | Approximately 5.65 cubic feet, or 160 liters |
At less than 7.5 feet long and only about 4.5 feet wide, the ZERO is much smaller than even a subcompact hatchback. That makes it easy to maneuver and park, but the same dimensions limit its passenger, cargo, and crash-protection capability.
Price: $11,990 before on-road costs
Eli’s advertised starting MSRP is $11,990. That figure is not an all-in purchase price. The company’s reservation information says the base price excludes destination and handling charges, taxes, licensing, and registration.
Recommended Free Tools
Eli listed a $200 reservation deposit and described it as fully refundable. However, a reservation should not be treated as proof of immediate delivery—particularly because the original launch schedule was delayed.
When will the Eli ZERO be available in the U.S.?
The original U.S. announcement in May 2024 opened reservations and described an initial reservation-holder rollout. Contemporary launch coverage also reported that general sales through distributors and dealers were expected to begin in the third quarter of 2024.
That did not happen as planned. Eli’s later SEC-filed annual report said tariffs made the original U.S. launch financially impractical, delayed the launch to 2025, and prevented the company from fulfilling expected 2024 U.S. deliveries.
The important distinction for prospective buyers is this:
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Announced price: $11,990 before additional charges.
- Original expectation: U.S. availability during 2024, with general sales anticipated in the third quarter.
- Later company disclosure: Tariffs delayed the U.S. launch to 2025.
- Current status: Public information reviewed for this article does not conclusively verify nationwide retail sales, current inventory, or an active dealer in every listed market as of August 13, 2026.
Anyone considering a purchase should confirm that an Eli ZERO dealer can actually accept an order, deliver the vehicle, provide parts and service, and complete the registration process in the buyer’s state. The reservation page’s older expected-sales language should not be read as a current delivery guarantee.
Range, battery, and charging
Eli lists two battery and range combinations: an 8-kWh battery with a maximum claimed range of 60 miles, and a 12-kWh battery with a maximum claimed range of 90 miles. Those are manufacturer figures, not independently verified real-world range tests.
Actual range can be lower depending on passenger and cargo weight, temperature, hills, tire pressure, driving style, and use of accessories such as air conditioning. Since the ZERO is intended for low-speed local travel, its range may be adequate for a predictable neighborhood commute—but buyers should calculate their route using a safety margin rather than planning to use every advertised mile.
The vehicle supports simple AC charging:
- A standard 120-volt household outlet can be used, although charging takes longer.
- Eli’s support material and specifications describe approximately two to four hours at 220–240 volts.
- A home charger is listed as included with the vehicle.
- The ZERO is not presented as a road-trip vehicle with rapid DC fast-charging capability.
A Type 1 EV charging cable may be a useful optional convenience or replacement accessory for an owner, but it is not automatically required: Eli says a home charger is included. Before buying any cable, confirm the connector fitted to the exact U.S. trim and verify the cable’s voltage, amperage, and safety certifications. Connector terminology can vary by market, and an Amazon listing should not be assumed compatible solely because it says it is for an electric vehicle.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →What can the ZERO carry?
The Eli ZERO seats two occupants side by side and provides about 5.65 cubic feet—160 liters—of trunk space. That is enough for groceries, a gym bag, or small luggage. It is not enough for a family’s weekly shopping, bulky equipment, or the flexible cargo use expected from a hatchback or crossover.
The small footprint is its main advantage. Eli positions the vehicle for:
- Short city and neighborhood trips
- Commuting on roads compatible with LSV rules
- Campuses and gated communities
- Resorts and tourism applications
- Vehicle-sharing or local fleet use
- Households that need a small second vehicle
Features and equipment
Depending on trim and market, Eli lists features including air conditioning, regenerative braking, LED lighting, keyless entry, USB charging, Bluetooth, Sony infotainment, a rear camera, radar parking sensors, anti-lock brakes, power-assisted steering, and soft-close doors.
Those features should not be interpreted as standard equipment on every ZERO. Buyers should request a trim-specific equipment list and confirm what is included in the quoted price. In particular, the presence of a feature on Eli’s general specifications page does not establish that it is fitted to the base $11,990 version.
How small is it to drive?
The published dimensions are approximately 88.6 inches long, 54.3 inches wide, and 64.4 inches high. Eli lists an approximately 11.8-foot minimum turning radius, while launch coverage described a roughly 23-foot turning circle. Those figures refer to different measurements: a turning radius is half the diameter of a turning circle.
Rank #3
- Used Book in Good Condition
In practical terms, the ZERO should be easy to place in a narrow parking space and maneuver through compact streets. Its narrow body may also make parking less stressful than with a full-size vehicle. But small dimensions do not eliminate the need to account for blind spots, passenger protection, door clearance, and the vehicle’s limited ability to match surrounding traffic.
Is the Eli ZERO street legal?
It can be street legal as an LSV, but “street legal” does not mean highway legal or permitted on every public road.
Under federal rules, an LSV is a four-wheeled motor vehicle with a speed capability above 20 mph and no more than 25 mph, subject to a limited set of federal safety requirements. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains that LSVs are not subject to all of the crashworthiness requirements applied to conventional passenger cars.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →State and local authorities determine important operating details, including registration, licensing, insurance, and which roads an LSV may use. A route that appears short on a map may still be unsuitable or unlawful if it requires a high-speed arterial, a restricted roadway, or a highway connection.
Before ordering, check these local requirements
- Whether your state permits this type of LSV to be registered for your intended use.
- Whether the driver needs a regular driver’s license or another credential.
- Which roads, lanes, bridges, and crossings are open to 25-mph vehicles.
- Whether your city or community imposes additional restrictions.
- What liability, collision, and uninsured-motorist coverage is required.
- Where the vehicle can be serviced and how warranty repairs are handled.
Insurance is especially geography-dependent. A buyer may need to research low-speed-vehicle insurance or NEV coverage separately from an ordinary auto policy, and eligibility varies by state and insurer. No single insurance provider should be assumed to cover every ZERO buyer.
Safety and the trade-off behind the low price
The ZERO’s low price and low-speed classification come with compromises. Federal LSV requirements are more limited than the requirements for a conventional passenger car. The ZERO is therefore not an equivalent substitute for a small sedan or crossover in crash protection, speed, passenger capacity, or road compatibility.
Its 25-mph limit can be an advantage in environments designed around neighborhood traffic, but a serious disadvantage wherever vehicles travel substantially faster. A buyer should evaluate the entire route—not just the destination—and avoid assuming that the presence of doors, airbags, ABS, or parking sensors gives the vehicle the same protection as a modern highway car.
Who should buy an Eli ZERO?
The ZERO makes the most sense when all of the following are true:
- Your regular trips are short and local.
- Your routes permit LSV use and do not require highways or fast arterials.
- You usually carry no more than one passenger.
- You have reliable overnight or workplace charging.
- You can use it as a second vehicle or specialized mobility tool.
- A dealer or service provider can support the vehicle where you live.
It is a poor fit for long-distance commuters, families, frequent highway travelers, buyers who regularly carry bulky cargo, or anyone expecting the crash protection and road performance of a conventional car.
What to verify before putting down a deposit
- Actual delivery status: Ask whether the vehicle is physically available, being built, or still awaiting a future production slot.
- Total price: Request destination, handling, taxes, registration, licensing, delivery, and any required equipment in writing.
- Exact configuration: Confirm battery size, claimed range, trim, safety equipment, charging hardware, and connector type.
- Local legality: Obtain registration and road-use guidance from your state and local authorities.
- Service support: Identify the nearest authorized service location and ask how parts and warranty work are handled.
- Insurance: Get a quote for the exact vehicle before assuming your existing auto policy applies.
- Route suitability: Test the proposed commute for speed limits, prohibited roads, hills, weather, and charging access.
- Reservation terms: Confirm the refund policy, delivery estimate, and what happens if the launch date changes again.
Bottom line
The Eli ZERO is compelling because it combines a tiny footprint, electric power, two seats, and an announced starting price below $12,000. But the headline price does not make it a cheap conventional car. It is a specialized 25-mph LSV with limited cargo space, route restrictions, lighter federal safety requirements, and an unsettled U.S. sales rollout.
For a campus, resort, planned community, dense neighborhood, or short local commute, it could be a practical second vehicle. For highway travel, family transportation, or all-purpose car duty, it is the wrong tool. Treat the $11,990 figure as a pre-fee starting MSRP, treat the 60- and 90-mile figures as manufacturer maximum claims, and verify local availability and legality before making a reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Eli ZERO highway legal?
No. The Eli ZERO is classified as a low-speed vehicle with a 25-mph top speed. LSV road access varies by state and locality, and it should not be treated as highway legal.
How much does the Eli ZERO cost?
Eli announced a $11,990 starting MSRP before destination, handling, taxes, licensing, and registration. The $200 reservation deposit was described as fully refundable.
How far can the Eli ZERO travel on one charge?
Eli lists 60- and 90-mile maximum-range configurations. Those are manufacturer claims and can vary with temperature, load, terrain, driving style, and accessory use.
How many people can the Eli ZERO carry?
It seats two people and has approximately 5.65 cubic feet, or 160 liters, of trunk space—enough for small shopping trips or luggage, but not family-size cargo.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIs the Eli ZERO available to buy in the United States?
The original 2024 U.S. launch was delayed after Eli said tariffs made the schedule financially impractical. Public information reviewed as of August 13, 2026 does not conclusively verify nationwide retail availability.
The Bottom Line
The Eli ZERO is an unusually affordable electric LSV, not a highway-capable car. Its $11,990 starting MSRP, tiny dimensions, and 25-mph operating limit make it attractive for short local trips, but tariffs delayed the U.S. launch and nationwide availability remains unverified as of August 13, 2026. Check delivery status, state road rules, insurance, service support, and the all-in price before reserving one.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
