Review: How about a test-drive in a new Xebra PK?
I was just going in for some routine maintenance on my car, when I saw a line of scooters in front of the lobby of Jessup's Automotive in LaGrange Park, IL, the mechanic my family has been going to for seven years. Upon closer inspection, I noticed the Zap! logo and remembered that these guys were now a dealer for Zap!'s products. Containing my excitement and curiosity, I went in and got started with what I came there to do, then off-handedly asked how the interest in the Zap!s was going.
Apparently, very well. Jeff Jeffries said they have had a lot of people come in and check them out, and in fact, there was a woman out for a test drive right then. He then offered me my own, an offer I couldn't turn down, whether being a shade of green or not.
Continued after the jump.
Gallery: Zap Xebra PK
Build quality is, well, not. It felt rickety, with tolerances one could drive a Mini Clubman through. The doors close with a rattly clang that I haven't heard since I got in my friend's restored '56 Bel Air. The seats have very straight backs and don't adjust very far in any direction. It becomes obvious very quickly that "hand-made in China" does not mean the same thing as "hand-made in Britain" or "hand-crafted in Germany". That being said, this is a purpose-built vehicle. It isn't meant to be luxurious in any way, but is meant to perform small utility tasks (as well as the large task of getting the Zap! name out mingling among the public). The bed is rated at a 500 lb. payload, though as I understand it, it has pulled around 800 just fine. It tilts back like a dump truck, and the sides unlatch and drop down for larger loads. Under that bed, you'll see the lead-acid batteries connected in sequence to a surprisingly small electric motor driving the rear wheels. Upon entering the micro-truck, one quickly notices something missing - a gear-shifter. Instead, there is a knob on the dashboard pointing to F, N or R. Turn the key to the 'on' position, twist your knob to 'Forward,' release the parking break and go.
Going is not a brisk acceleration, though considering the size of the motor and weight of the big batteries and two guys, it's actually somewhat impressive. It was a little unnerving to step on the breaks, however, and have little breaking actually happen. Almost all the power from the batteries has to be devoted to the electric motor, making power-steering and power breaks impossible. Despite the minute size of the vehicle, and the fact that you're only steering a single wheel, the steering felt very heavy. I was very relieved, though, to find very little body roll in making a turn (notice 'turning', not cornering - I wouldn't recommend taking this on a slalom course), especially considering the nature of three-wheelers. The concept of a single-front-wheel tricycle has always made me nervous, but this one actually feels very stable. However, not as reassuring is the reason for designing the truck and the car iteration with one less wheel than we are used to -- to get around the federal crash safety test regulations. Anything with less than four wheel is considered a motorcycle by law. That may not be very confidence-inspiring, but then again, not a lot can happen to you within the 40 miles you'll get on a charge.
The best part of this vehicle is probably that the profits made from it will go mostly to the production of whatever comes of the Lotus APX concept. That will be a real car, whereas this is an intermediate step, getting the name heard and the brand established. When the APX shows up, the Xebra will likely be forgotten quickly. In the meantime, Jessup's is hoping to sell these micro-trucks to nearby Brookfield Zoo as part of their maintenance and service fleet, a service well suited for the PK. Another consideration is that at only $10,000, this might be a pretty decent first car for a teenager in school - limited seating, low price, almost no maintenance or cost of ownership, and limited range, so they can't run too far away from home. Add to that the impossibility of reaching reckless speeds, and you have a pretty good mix to teach your kid responsible driving. As long as you get them an iPhone too, so they're not so embarrassed to be seen in it.
Jessup's is the first Zap! dealer in the Chicago area. Owner Mike Jessup will be happy to help anyone in the western suburbs find out more about Zap!s products, or any of his friendly, capable staff. A nice part about checking these vehicles out from a repair shop like this is that these guys are not salesmen, so they'll be candid and honest with you. And they're looking forward to the APX as much as we are.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Niralisherni 4:22AM (4/23/2008)
Yes these ZAP vehicles (http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/xebra-truck) are getting generally good reviews, and more dealers are getting dealerships for it. This one also comes in a solar assisted format (http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/xebra-xero-solar-option)
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Adam 4:32PM (8/18/2008)
I've enjoyed my Xebra Pk for about three months now in central Florida. Still no plate from the dealer so not sure when I'll get pulled over for the expired temp. Anyhow it's insured and all so maybe I'll be alright. First off, don't charge it with 220 or 230 or 240, just stick with the 110, 115 & 120 for now. I actually melted the charging relay regulator found on the firewall near the 12v-12v. $24 shipped & I hope to be back in buz. will find out in a day or so. Read somewhere that it would charge faster on 220+,- but it still took about 5 hours to go thru the cycle, but it probably didn't help given the relay was meliting into goo the entire time.
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Bernie 11:33AM (4/16/2009)
Did you ever get your tag yet?
awack 7:53AM (8/18/2008)
Ok i bought one. and i am working up a review here on my blog. Please visit theis site as this is a ongoing review of my new 2008 ZAP Xebra PK Truck.
http://www.depoteco.com/zap-xebra-pk-all-electric-truck/
enjoy.
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Adam 8:06PM (9/21/2008)
READ BEFORE BUYING A XEBRA-The longer I've had the Xebra Pk the more problematic it's become. Mine is a 2007 so should be like new-right? Whenever it rains much the floor-boards fill up with water from poor overall seals. 1200 miles now and the sealed bearings have gone to pot in the rear swingarm. Originally thought it was the driveshaft making a chug-chug train like sound but seems more like the wheel bearings. Will be two weeks tomorrow since I first emailed dealer with my concern and of-course still no bearings- Was going to buy them locally but seems silly to pay out $90 when it's under warranty. Just bugs me more the longer it sits on wooden blocks in the drive-way.Good thing we didn't try to go to just the xebra and Scion Xb. Good thing the equally priced($14k) reliable 2006 Tundra is still here in the driveway as just in case transportation just as I had anticipated. The more I drive the Xb the less I like the Zap Xebra Pk. Ordered new the 2005 Xb was $15900. 15 months and it's paid for unlike the xebra which has another 57+@$264 a month. Would be a cinch selling the xb. Not so with the Xebra. Can't imagine how I'd get what I have into it back to satisfy the note. But who could tell where the $4 a gallon was going to stop? We may have escaped the fever of the housing bubble but the fuel prices sure did a number on me acquiring another unecessary payment. My only consolation is that it's not a boat that just sits in the yard like most folks have. We only have one mortgage and not two like a lot of folks and $20k on a double-wide should't be anything to lose sleep over. Hind-sight of course is 20/20. Email if you have any questions./concerns-Adam
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Kardax 4:24PM (8/15/2007)
Given Chicago's climate, I'm curious how the Xebra performs on snow and ice. You'll have to go on another test drive in January :)
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LedFoot 12:17AM (8/16/2007)
Nice write up. I'd like to see one of these around here. Looks like a nice little utility vehicle.
Oh, btw, it's BRAKES not breaks. Brakes brake; one experiences braking power (or lack thereof). If your brakes break, you'd better find a soft place to park it, because your car is out of control. You write for a car publication, for Pete's sake.
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grimmex 2:58AM (8/16/2007)
I'm not usually this pedantic, but you're writing a car review, presumably in some professional or semi-professional role. Learn the difference between "breaks" (dropping a glass breaks it) and "brakes" (my car's brakes are worn out).
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big L 11:23PM (8/16/2007)
Otherwise a good article and an interesting vehicle. The mainstream car companies won't build them so true to USA spirit and ingenuity, we will get the electrics built and sold.
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Martin Doyle 6:16AM (8/17/2007)
I really like the concept of EV's and the ZAP is a very interesting attempt. Why is it that the interior of many is so poor? The switches on the dashboard look like something from a 10 year old's project, there seem to be wires hanging everywhere under the dash and those window-winders look so close to the front, that you'd scrape the skin off your knuckles if you had big hands.
For mainstream acceptance, these issues need to be addressed. That aside, nice vehicle.
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GreenGuy 2:17PM (9/11/2007)
The Xebra's come with leather seats now. I am sure it is not real leather but it makes the interior look a lot nicer. This was a good article mainly because it recognizes what the Xebra is and what function it aims to serve. The Xebra is greatly improving with each generation and has me really looking forward to what ZAP and Lotus Engineering will be offering with the future vehicles.
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Lamplightphoto 1:16AM (10/22/2007)
Well, San Antonio just got it's first ZAP dealership. I couldn't resist visiting on opening day.
I nearly passed it by. A three foot by four foot vinyl sign hung near the driveway of a car wash was the only indication I had found the place.
They are pretty vehicles. Build is Ok. I had been excited about the truck and the outside did not disappoint, however the inside did. Major design flaw. I'm 5'6" and felt crammed into the cabin. The seat was bolt upright and was pushed all the way back. I can't imagine anyone taller than me being able to fit. Major deal breaker. Fix that ZAP! Also, due to the wheel hump there was very limited room for my feet.
The car, on the other hand, is marvelous! Very comfortable, very roomy with an spartan interior that translated as simplicity. This would be perfect for first time teen drivers. They would love it, very unique and sort of cool. Great for daily errands. Cozy and friendly.
Good foot room also. This car would be ideal in smaller cities and towns. Not so good for metropolitan sprawls.
I hope the company management realizes the time is now to bring in the ZAP-X. I don't believe they are the flimflam company some have tagged them as. If they are smart, they will hurl themselves at the task of bringing the ZAP-X to the US market as soon as humanly possible. Any delay and they will be overtaken by the looming competition.
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