Video: Ride along in a ZAP Xebra electric truck
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Solar, Zap
During the recent AFVI Show in Anaheim, Matt Kelly of Next Gear got to go on a ride along Alex Campbell of Zap in one of their Xebra Xero trucks. The Xebra Xero is Zap's little electric truck with the optional solar charging panel, which is a $2,000 option that with a day of sitting in the sun will get you about two miles of range.One of the things that Alex was promoting as unique and an advantage over other neighborhood electric vehicles is that as a three wheeled vehicle, the Xebra is classified as a motorcycle rather than a car. That means it's not subject to the 25mph speed restriction of NEVs and can get up to 40mph.
The other aspect of this motorcycle classification was that unlike NEVs which do undergo some crash testing, the Xebra doesn't have to be crash tested. This along with being made in China allows Zap to offer the Xebra at a base price of $10,000. Even at 40mph I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to make contact with any other objects in this thing. You can check out Matt's video after the jump.
Related:
[Source: The Next Gear]
Chevy Volt's gas tank gets downsized, range drops 300 miles
Rendered Speculation: 2010 Toyota Prius
Production Volt could be the guest of honor at GM Centennial party!
Next-gen Prius to get solar panel to drive accessories
Is Tesla using Dodge Magnum body shells for White Star mules?
Autoblog Green Podcast #24
Popular Mechanics to debunk the "run your car on water" myth
T. Boone Pickens unveils "The Plan" - big on wind power and natural gas
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-06-2007 @ 2:52AM
Peter said...
Wait... explain why not having to pass crash testing is a benefit.
Reply
5-07-2007 @ 8:42AM
Tormod Henne said...
The vehicle can be made lighter and cheaper
Reply
5-07-2007 @ 10:19AM
Phil L. said...
Plainly said, if Zap had to submit their vehicles for the crash testing required of traditional automotibiles, they wouldn't be in business in the US.
Yes, this has positive as well as negative effects. But only the big automakers have the resources needed to meet all of the regulatory challenges in today's environment - and they clearly aren't interested in building this kind of vehicle.
Reply