The Colorado Senate and House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate and House of Representatives last week both passed bills that will remove the motorcycle license requirement for enclosed, three-wheeled vehicles, also known as autocycles. The bills now move to their respective state governors for approval.

The legislation will help make it easy for consumers to own and operate three-wheeled enclosed auto-cycles such as an Elio from Elio Motors, which is set to start production in 2015. The Elio has been designed for an anticipated $6,800 cost, 84 MPG and 5-Star Crash Test Safety Rating.

In Colorado, HB 1367, sponsored by Representative Max Tyler, passed through the legislature unanimously (http://openstates.org/co/bills/2014A/HB14-1367/). The bill exempts the previous requirement to wear a helmet under the age of 19 and provides a motorcycle endorsement exemption for an Elio. In Illinois, SB 3130 was sponsored by Senator Don Harmon and Representative Camille Lilly. The bill eliminated the motorcycle endorsement requirement for Autocycles (http://openstates.org/il/bills/98th/SB3130/). Illinois doesn't have a helmet requirement for motorcycles but technically required a motorcycle endorsement for the Elio.

Paul Elio, CEO of Elio Motors, lauded the legislatures in both states for approving these bills. "States continue to make common sense changes that are in the best interest of people who want to purchase a vehicle like an Elio," said Paul Elio, CEO of Elio Motors. "We are creating an entirely new class of vehicle and helping to reinvent the way Americans drive. It is important for our legislators to keep pace with the changing vehicle marketplace."

Elio expects to have all legislative issues regarding helmets and endorsements to be completed by the time the first Elios come off the production line in 2015.

About Elio Motors:

Founded by car enthusiast Paul Elio in 2008, Elio Motors Inc. represents a revolutionary approach to manufacturing an ultra-high-mileage vehicle. The 3-wheeled Elio is engineered to attain a highway mileage rating of 84 mpg while providing the comfort of amenities such as power windows, power door lock and air conditioning, accompanied by the safety of multiple air bags and an aerodynamic, enclosed vehicle body. Elio's first manufacturing site will be in Shreveport, La., with plans for the first production vehicle to roll off the assembly line in 2015 and significant production, sales and distribution during the next two years. For more information, visit http://www.eliomotors.com or http://www.facebook.com/ElioMotors.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/05/prweb11859160.htm