Tazzari Zero to be distributed in North America by Verdek
Click above for a high-res gallery
We've only been watching the development of the Tazzari Zero electric city car since last October, but the fast-moving company has not only announced a December 2009 launch date but has also named a North American distributor. Verdek, headed by former president and CEO of the North American tire division of Pirelli, Guy Mannino, has announced that they will be distributing the sporty Italian electric in Canada, the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean Islands.
While the Zero is capable of reaching 56 mph, it will be sold as a NEV in the U.S. That means it will be limited electronically to the speeds allowed by your state (most commonly, 25 mph). They say they are considering putting the car through the NHTSA crash-testing requirements which would allow drivers to experience its full potential, though it could be some time before that decision is made. You can follow developments as they occur by joining their Facebook group or watch this space as we wait for the unveiling of the Zero in the metal. Verdek is also a promoter of the Coulomb charging stations (sometimes called Smartlets) and carries the ZAP! lineup.
Gallery: Tazzari Zero
Gallery: Tazzari Zero renders
[Source: Verdek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
scammer-killer 2:19PM (3/06/2009)
I'd love to own one of these if it was an actual car and not a golf cart with doors. NEV's serve no purpose in the real world. You'd be better off on a bicycle.
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mister nomer 4:13PM (3/06/2009)
The more I think about it, the more I think we should define NEVs as essentially covered scooters and sell them like cigarettes. That is, with a big label prominently displayed that says that you might not survive a serious accident in this vehicle.
If memory servers, my mom's 87 Camry had warning labels for the airbags ('don't put a child seat in the front seat') and for the seatbelts ('don't disconnect the seatbelts that motored around the door frame').
If we can agree that people are capable of making the decision to accept additional risk and ride a scooter to and from work through city traffic (eek!), then we can agree that people are capable of making the decision to buy, own, and drive a car like this that hasn't been certified as a regular car.
At least you and your stuff will stay dry.
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GoodCheer 4:17PM (3/06/2009)
I agree with 'mister nomer'. I'm perfectly happy taking on some personal responsibility. I ride a motorcycle, I snowboard, let me take a chance on a car that isn't built like a tank.
The last thing we need in the country is yet another NEV option. We already have plenty of those, and they have their place. I hope they allow some page somewhere to tell you how to override the electronic hack, 'cause at 56mph you'd have a great vehicle for all but highways, which would make it a real commuter for millions of people.
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John 4:59PM (3/06/2009)
gah enough with the NEV's for christs sake!!, they were good to break into the market and some people could make them work but people get pissed off at thier slow speed and thus continue the stigma of electrics as slow pokers. enough of this, yes its expensive for crash testing perhaps an allowance for the govt to pay crash testing for one model of electric per manufacturer? yes the big 3 would be allowed, as well as other major automakers as well as Tesla and anybody else to level the playing field
we need to do something and get rid of these NEV's except on college campuses and the old folks retreats
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RAN 1:59PM (3/07/2009)
Whoever came up with the stupid idea of a NEV limited to 25mph anyway? Raise their limit to 45-50, put a warning on them as suggested above, and make the damn things worth buying and driving. For someone who never goes on the expressway, this would be a perfectly good car to get around the city in.
Who's going to spend $20,000+ for something you can't drive on a regular street??
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