First test drive of the new '09 Zap Xebra
As we reported early last month, Zap has finally updated its three-wheeled Xebra for 2009 with a new steel body and much more storage space through its new hatchback. While we're happy to hear that one of the few actual electric vehicles on the market and available today has seen vital upgrades, we've yet to run across a review of the newly-revised model... until today. Mark LaPedus over at EE Times hopped in a new '09 at the local dealership in San Jose, California, and he's shared his thoughts with the rest of the class, even comparing the Xebra with his 2008 Honda Accord. LaPedus seems to have liked the car, going so far as to suggest that he'd be willing to drive one on a regular basis.
The last page of ADL's review of the Xebra has a few quotes from Zap regarding the ongoing saga of loans to the Detroit 3. Click here to read the entire report.
Gallery: Zap Xebra PK
[Source: EE Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mitch 3:51PM (12/10/2008)
40 mph top speed, 25 mile range, >$11,000 price, hours to recharge? Sorry this just isn't ready for any practical use.
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Throwback 3:53PM (12/10/2008)
The best line of the article is, "Clearly, it was more stable than a golf cart." Wow, they should sell millions.
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JerseyGeoff 6:07PM (12/10/2008)
I think one innovation is shortchanged in the PR video-
the hub motor in the scooter is quite cool, and I'm not sure how many others are actually in PRODUCTION.
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Alasdair 2:57AM (12/12/2008)
So, they've taken an old Daewoo Matiz, which was an awful car when it had four wheels, hit it with a hammer a few times, taken away one of the front wheels (wouldn't this increase drag, having three tire widths in the airstream rather than two?) and make it significantly less practical. Automotive abortions like this do more harm to the electric car cause than good. I know it's hard to raise development capital when you're busy protesting instead of working, but what may be an acceptable runabout for stocking your local coop with organic vegetables does not necessarily work for the rest of us. Properly developed, attractive (ie, tesla, lightning, Volt, MiniE) electric cars would be fantastic, so long as you bought renewable energy to charge it (I work for an energy company, its not that expensive). But I'd sooner offset my gas burner than step into one of those.
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Morgan 2:37PM (12/11/2008)
The stability issue is infuriating. It's safety is actually hobbled by 'safety' regulations and folks that think like Ralph Nader. Four wheels would be safer, but then it would be a 'car'. Ah, how intelligent. Regulation is such a futuristic and intelligent way to progress.
Dumb.
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sasha 9:51PM (12/25/2008)
I have over 6,000 miles on my xebra, and I love it. The naysayers dont understand that the value of this vehicle. I leave my gas car home now, and only take it on a long trip maybe once every two weeks. This is probably the most cost effective vehicle I have ever owned. Also if you check out zap's website, Im not alone in my feelings, hundreds of satisfied owners seem to love their ZAP.
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