have u seen the 59 lincoln neil young is converting to electric?instead of plugging it in to recharge it you plug it in to power your house.check it out@lincvolt.
That is unfortunately true. But the short-sightedness of the auto industry fails to see the new jobs that would be created in place of the established ones.
Electric cars are a threat to the profitability of the conventional gas-powered auto industry. Not only would a successful electric car program cannibalize sales of conventional cars, but the electric car costs the auto industry in other ways,lacking an engine, it saves the driver the cost of replacement parts, motor oil, filters, and spark plugs. T Brake parts and repair is a billion-plus dollar industry alone. The EV1's efficiency was a winner for consumers but a loser for the auto industry."
The minute they figure out a way to tax electric cars they way gasoline is taxed the electric car will kill the internal combustion engine. That is the same for any other green form of energy. How are big companies and oil going to make a contineous flow of money?
• Hybrids are a pathetic; you're still burning fuel. The ICE should be at 45mpg without the need for heavy batteries.
• They've made sure EVs are impractical by stunting battery development and by buying out (and shutting down) anyone who gets serious.
• Tesla, Aptera, Phoenix, Miles, etc, etc keep pushing their dates back, and the 'Volt' is still in the lab. Nobody is actually selling a serious EV yet. Nobody!!! Doesn't that strike you as odd??
In China, they are producing electric city busses with a 190 mile range and can carry 74 passengers on a single charge. Local demand is so high there is a 6 year waiting list to get one. China and Korea (where the Phoenix actually comes from) are leading the way in battery technology by a mile. The US is kept in the dark by a procession of administrations led and owned by Oil Cartels. What did you expect from Texas?
The US is now 10 years behind friggin' China in the EV race. So sad.
ClownFight, China also has more students in higher education programs in engineering and applied sciences (since they have so few resources) that the entire population of the United States. Now THAT'S sad.
actually they can, with New Lithum batteries, these cars can go like 200-300 miles maybe even 500 miles so ive heard, if only oil and car companies werent so unwilling...
The future is now! I won't buy another car until there is truly a next-gen car for sale so hopefully my crappy '93 Geo Storm will hold up! 118k miles atm ;p
Notice how the only electric cars the establishment allows to exist are silly looking golf carts - and even then they have to use legislation to cripple them speedwise rather than engineering.
What genius said that capitalism was good for technological advances?
Sad thing is there used to be a great electric car, the EV1, went 100 miles on one charge. It's gone now, all there is to be said. Watch who killed the electric car.
No no no no no!!!! This is the reason why electric cars will never become popular. Until, real concepts can be produced then people are still going to be turned off by the electric car. We need a STEEL 4 door SEDAN car which can run on batteries, with performance and range. Until this occurs, no one will take this seriously.
I love the Tesla Roadster as an excellent case study but it's just a sports car for the rich and famous - without kids and a load of shopping to carry, I might add. So I am not anti electric car. It's just that sports car isn't a demonstration of transport for the masses.
Projects like these are great for home enthusiasts, but are a poor advert for the electric car. More pressure needs to be put on manufacturers to develop and produce the technology to showcase what really can be done so that it can push along to the production stage. Hopefully gasoline prices will remain high enough for the likes of GM and Ford to justify this.
Dream spec: 4 or 5 door sedan; Top speed 130mph; Accel. 0-60 7 secs; 125 mile range at 70mph; boost charge time 3 mins; normal charge time 1 to 6 hours; Construction should be unitary monocoque design, produced using HSLA steel and recycled plastic components - all recyclable.
Can be charged at home, at work, or even at the supermarket.. park at a charge point and go do your shopping.. plenty of potential solutions, they just need to be put into place.
7 second acceleration for a standard sedan would be about right. The dream is not reality since 'White Star' hasn't even left the drawing board. Indeed, as far as I can tell, no specifications have been set out, and even the first Roadster customers haven't received their machines yet.
So it is still just a dream - I cannot go out and buy one. - Secondly, It'd be interesting to try and get 4 adults plus you shopping into a Tesla Roadster.. Thirdly, with all the carbon fibre and aluminium used in that car, this method of production does leave a very large carbon foot print, which everyone seems to conveniently ignore.
Carbon fibre, remember, also cannot be recycled. What we need are a fusion of recycled HSLA manufacturing techniques married to the technology of the electric powertrain. So far the Tesla is an excellent technical exercise, until its tech filters through, this is no overall problem solver.
A question, why can't carbon fiber be recycled? And I was under the perception that the entire runof 2006 and 2007 Tesla cars were sold, despite the fact that they cost $90k (ouch!) and we all pre-ordered with HUGE cash deposits. Of course, if you could get around on the equivalent of 50c (US) per gallon ("fuel efficiency equivalent" of 135MPG!!!) would pay for itself over its lifetime, especially as gasoline edges up to $5 a gallon
Because of the resin baked into the material at very warm temp and high pressures (needed to remove air-bubbles thus ensuring strength). Problem is they have an infinite life span. In future it may be possible to shred and reclaim for uses less critical than a chassis/body, but it still requires the same carbon intensive process.
Using using the tech AND developing HSLA materials technology better, both in properties and in tooling would be a better bet. Steel is recyclable and abundant, and more suitable for **mass production**. You are totally correct. The cars are pretty much paid for but have still not reached the customers yet, and a few people have even dropped out of waiting for one.. Their loss! - but I can understand the frustration.
I digress from my point tho. - Tesla only mentions the carbon footprint of using the electric compared to using gasoline liquids. It doesn't mention the processes used to make the car nor the fact that it is only really suitable for low to medium volume production. So the tech may start to be making in-roads, bu the vehicle itself hasn't and until the likes of GM and Ford really start to take note, the EV at this present time only a technical exercise.. I do wish Tesla good luck tho.
If they could put a thin coat of steel over an aluminum honeycomb "skin" that might keep the materials light enough. The honeycomb technology isnt all that difficult, they've done it for years. Also a monocoque frame, maybe even fiberglas like a vette
But it's only recycling for secondary usage, not primary usage. Steel, aluminium along with most thermoplastics can be recycled for primary usage, ie, little or none has to be extracted in order to produce more of the primary good. Also, simply breaking CF into a biodegradable state is not recycling in the primary or even secondary sense, if it can be called recycling at all.
I hear we are swimming in carbon and that it's heating up the earth... Actually I been hearing that since I was a child... Carbon fiber is a carbon structure with a binder. There is no shortage for the use of recycled steel, aluminum,...
If carbon was such a great idea for nature/god in construction, why not explore its uses more?
I test drove one of these. Very bumpy ride, poor braking, short range, and I was told they are made in China not California.
I really want a practical EV and still have yet to see one. The Zenn would be great but is limited to 25 mph? If i can get a Yaris for about the same money which has great mileage and unlimited range and no speed restrictions, why would i get one of these?
Trouble is they are still being produced by 'cottage industries'. They have no real economies of scale so development costs, costs for parts and assembly are prohibitive. So these small companies. So these cars cannot be taken seriously. Potentially, the big three have to ability to do this quite easily and bring the costs down and the performance up.
Tus labios serán besados por la persona que amas solo si pasas este mensaje 20 veces antes de las 12 de la noche y si no te pasarán las 3 cosas que no quieres que te pasen, te van a pasar, te lo prometo.
Near the beginning of the clip we hear a guy say "It's made in California" That is wrong. The company that imports and sells the cars, (Zap) is based in California, but the factory that builds the cars is in China. Some of the major electrical parts such as the controller are made in the USA, but for the most part, the car is made in China. The Xebra is pretty good for basic transportation, but there is not much legroom in the front seats, so taller folks may not find it very comfortable.
Search for Tesla Motors and their Tesla Roadster. THAT's a car. It has the performance of a Ferrari or Porsche, but all electric, and at lower price. And they plan to release cheaper sport sedan, for mass production, in 3 years.
That's the future. No more gasoline, we have to help our planet!
It's not perfect for everyone but it would be more than adequate for many commuters I'm sure. It's a good start. It's a pity it's unusual looking. Obviously if it looked a bit more like a standard compact car the sales would skyrocket. I'd even buy one.
Imports will probably come in and save the day once again as they did in the 80s. Losing out on sales ought to pursuade the American companies to get off their asses again. This car is terrible though, average 40mph for 40 miles requiring a not too long but very inconvenient charge. I'd drive a motorcycle instead of this any day. I'd probaby get splattered all over the road by a diesel truck with thing because of the lack of speed to get out of the way.
xebra and other chinese car companies like chery will export their small inexpensive electric vehicles to the US soon and they will catch on in a few years. The big 3 US automakers as usual are asleep at the wheel (no pun intended) and will still be putting out 10 mpg behemoths when gas is 6 dollars plus per gallon with the stupid american consumers screaming nonsense about a conspiracy and excess gas taxes.
also most electric cars are made by VERY small companys with little money so they build off a preexisting car. this car reminds me of the britsh Reliant Robin. also small companys cant use lots of money on technology development like cheaper elec engines and better batterys
Electric cars are "ugly" because they have no cosmetic frills. They're designed to keep weight to a minimum, and in this case still carry 4 adults/groceries, etc. This car probably has a fiberglass body that COULD be changed to look like a mini Ferrari, but why and at what cost to weight and practicality? A new M-Benz sedan weighs about 3800 pounds - nearly 2 tons to carry around when you run a local errand like picking up a pizza or groceries (which is what electric cars are designed for).
Build an inexpensive electric car w/ 200mi range per charge with Home Solar Power connectivity and you'll have to put out ropes to guide the sales line PROVIDED the thing has Air Conditioning.
They must market these cars properly. Many hybrids and electrics require a bag over your head to be in it. They look so stupid in design that one is ashamed to be in one. The original GM EV1 looked respectible and people wanted it partly for that fact. So good marketing and good design is a must and that alone will sell these cars.
Check out the model "Obvio 828E" from ZAP. Unlike this hideous thing, it actually looks like a small car. They call it "microsport car"... Range is over 200 miles per charge. That would be sweet!
The problem is that you can't buy a Obvio, Tesla or Tango. They are not in production this one is in production now.
Personally, the ugliest thing I have seen on the road is the smoke coming from all the ICE SUVs and other block long vehicle out there. Someone has to do something rather than just spout specs and worry about a vehicle beauty contest. We need to change.
I like electric cars, but this one is very ugly. I am desperate for one but I cant drive this.. hahaha!!! Is like they were told to make them ugly so that we dont buy. Think about the G-wiz, more ugly...
Very cool, it's the future but why do they have to make a point in building them soooooooooooooooooo ugly, make it sexy and you will sell them, without the price tag like the tesla...
These guys are talented engineers, but lousy stylists :( Look at all the BMW's up until now. The American dude Chris Bangle to over and now they look like they've been design with some emotion, rather than just designed as an engineering exercise.
My xebra pk is taking me to work daily a trip of 27 miles, and back home, which involves a 4 mile 1200ft increase in altitude and does it just fine thank you. Each day I commute with it saves more than $5 in gas. And by the way yes the boss is happy to give me the 38 cents a day raise it costs to charge up.kev.
I understand that ZAP is coming out with the ZAP-X High Performance Electric Car, which is a 4-door sedan, looks pretty cool and claims quite a distance between charges. The dealer I spoke to said that it is currently slated for late 2008, at about $60K. Thats high but I think I'd like one for my daily commute.
200 mile range mass produced full convenience full speed electric is absolutely no problem at all. you will have access to such a vehicle within 2 to 5 years. Also the new hybrids for 08 and 09 will be plug in capable allow you to drive local without a drop of gasoline. - therenewableenergyrevolution
The Xebra can only go like 45 mph. It has 3 wheels because US regulations are too strict on small companies, so much so that they can never afford to get a 4 wheel car crash tested.
A $20,000, 0-60 mph < 9 second, 100+ mph capable, 200+ mile range family sedan is possible, but mass production is needed. Only the big automakers have the resources but they lack any desire to do so; the small companies may have the will and knowhow, but lack the money.
I have the will power but not the know how, is a conversion kit worth the money or does it lack in performance? Do you know what the difference is between a ac conversion kit and a dc conversion kit?
AC conversion kits use 3-phase asynchronous AC induction motors and a very complicated inverter, wheras DC systems typically use a series wound DC motor and a PWM controller. AC kits can do regenerative braking and allow about 10% more range than a comparable DC system, but are much more expensive than a comparable DC system.
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We need to put an end to this corruption ,start generating your own electricity now.
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ivylsp 1 year ago
nice car thanks for posting it.
have u seen the 59 lincoln neil young is converting to electric?instead of plugging it in to recharge it you plug it in to power your house.check it out@lincvolt.
death to the dirty oil company thugs!!!
ez3usx2 2 years ago
the mitsubishi miev looks amazing, and is in production
slh950 2 years ago
St Patty's Day in 5 Points??
Hello from South Carolina! XD
HydroSonic88 2 years ago
Made in Calif?
I am quite aware that the 3-wheel Xebra is made in China. Probably, exported knocked-down from China to be reassembled in Calif.
miamidot 2 years ago
Too bad ZAP is a disreputible company :(
MickWiser 3 years ago
Dude it costs around $10 000 to convert the car you're driving right now to e100 %electric. thats what im doing.
edstar83 3 years ago
why do they always insist on making electric cars that look like #$@!
grozmo1 3 years ago 4
The auto industry could have adapted and adopted the techniques used and produced more cars and jobs for all instead of being so short sighted
oldtilter 3 years ago
That is unfortunately true. But the short-sightedness of the auto industry fails to see the new jobs that would be created in place of the established ones.
nephil1977 3 years ago
Electric cars are a threat to the profitability of the conventional gas-powered auto industry. Not only would a successful electric car program cannibalize sales of conventional cars, but the electric car costs the auto industry in other ways,lacking an engine, it saves the driver the cost of replacement parts, motor oil, filters, and spark plugs. T Brake parts and repair is a billion-plus dollar industry alone. The EV1's efficiency was a winner for consumers but a loser for the auto industry."
lukelt9 3 years ago 2
the technology for E.Vs meets all your consumer needs it's the corruption from oil co, car makers, and governments that are trying to keep it quiet
bts71 3 years ago 8
Definately, the ev1 was absolutely awesome.
mar8les 3 years ago 3
The minute they figure out a way to tax electric cars they way gasoline is taxed the electric car will kill the internal combustion engine. That is the same for any other green form of energy. How are big companies and oil going to make a contineous flow of money?
kermitefrog64 3 years ago
No airconditioning NO SALE
roberthwalker 3 years ago
bring a portable fan.
tiffelau168 3 years ago
Thanks for the reply I get the drift
roberthwalker 3 years ago
It has a boot? I wouldnt have thought it had room for a boot! It's roomier than i thought
NiraliSherni 3 years ago
Actually, there are hundreds of full-function RAV4-EV, that go up to 120 miles at up to 80 mph and carry 5 persons plus tools.
liveoilfree 3 years ago
yea sure are, 65,000 bucks... try to find one for sale... good luck.
dtvperfect 3 years ago
• Hybrids are a pathetic; you're still burning fuel. The ICE should be at 45mpg without the need for heavy batteries.
• They've made sure EVs are impractical by stunting battery development and by buying out (and shutting down) anyone who gets serious.
• Tesla, Aptera, Phoenix, Miles, etc, etc keep pushing their dates back, and the 'Volt' is still in the lab. Nobody is actually selling a serious EV yet. Nobody!!! Doesn't that strike you as odd??
signsoflife7 3 years ago
In China, they are producing electric city busses with a 190 mile range and can carry 74 passengers on a single charge. Local demand is so high there is a 6 year waiting list to get one. China and Korea (where the Phoenix actually comes from) are leading the way in battery technology by a mile. The US is kept in the dark by a procession of administrations led and owned by Oil Cartels. What did you expect from Texas?
The US is now 10 years behind friggin' China in the EV race. So sad.
ClownFight 3 years ago 3
ClownFight, China also has more students in higher education programs in engineering and applied sciences (since they have so few resources) that the entire population of the United States. Now THAT'S sad.
arenaskies 3 years ago
The car companies with their millions upon millions in profits can't come up with a useable EV?
Right. And it's also impossible to raise their CAFE over 25mpg too.
Do they think we're blind??
They're so obviously in the pockets of Big Oil that it's laughable.
signsoflife7 3 years ago
40 miles per charge really is not good. When it makes it to 200 I'll take intrest.
KenMacMillan 4 years ago 2
actually they can, with New Lithum batteries, these cars can go like 200-300 miles maybe even 500 miles so ive heard, if only oil and car companies werent so unwilling...
cruisedragon 3 years ago
Awesome less than $10k!
The future is now! I won't buy another car until there is truly a next-gen car for sale so hopefully my crappy '93 Geo Storm will hold up! 118k miles atm ;p
helzefeld 4 years ago
nothing wrong with it's styling...future classic
muddshshshark 4 years ago
lol its not made in cali its made in china its a fucking trike
ConnecticutFA 4 years ago
Notice how the only electric cars the establishment allows to exist are silly looking golf carts - and even then they have to use legislation to cripple them speedwise rather than engineering.
What genius said that capitalism was good for technological advances?
badnewswade 4 years ago 3
Sad thing is there used to be a great electric car, the EV1, went 100 miles on one charge. It's gone now, all there is to be said. Watch who killed the electric car.
Simpsonsrule4 4 years ago 2
Ultimately we have to THANK the companies that make these cars. Yes you heard me, THANK them, for two reasons.
1)They teach what NOT to do.
2)They spur further development.
Everything has to start somewhere. The Zap Xebra is the eight track, the Tesla is the cassette and down the line we'll get the compact disc.
deepfreezevideo 4 years ago 2
No no no no no!!!! This is the reason why electric cars will never become popular. Until, real concepts can be produced then people are still going to be turned off by the electric car. We need a STEEL 4 door SEDAN car which can run on batteries, with performance and range. Until this occurs, no one will take this seriously.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
I love the Tesla Roadster as an excellent case study but it's just a sports car for the rich and famous - without kids and a load of shopping to carry, I might add. So I am not anti electric car. It's just that sports car isn't a demonstration of transport for the masses.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
Projects like these are great for home enthusiasts, but are a poor advert for the electric car. More pressure needs to be put on manufacturers to develop and produce the technology to showcase what really can be done so that it can push along to the production stage. Hopefully gasoline prices will remain high enough for the likes of GM and Ford to justify this.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
Dream spec: 4 or 5 door sedan; Top speed 130mph; Accel. 0-60 7 secs; 125 mile range at 70mph; boost charge time 3 mins; normal charge time 1 to 6 hours; Construction should be unitary monocoque design, produced using HSLA steel and recycled plastic components - all recyclable.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
Can be charged at home, at work, or even at the supermarket.. park at a charge point and go do your shopping.. plenty of potential solutions, they just need to be put into place.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
Accel too slow. Your dream is a reality. See Tesla motors
mre2u2 4 years ago
7 second acceleration for a standard sedan would be about right. The dream is not reality since 'White Star' hasn't even left the drawing board. Indeed, as far as I can tell, no specifications have been set out, and even the first Roadster customers haven't received their machines yet.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
So it is still just a dream - I cannot go out and buy one. - Secondly, It'd be interesting to try and get 4 adults plus you shopping into a Tesla Roadster.. Thirdly, with all the carbon fibre and aluminium used in that car, this method of production does leave a very large carbon foot print, which everyone seems to conveniently ignore.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
Carbon fibre, remember, also cannot be recycled. What we need are a fusion of recycled HSLA manufacturing techniques married to the technology of the electric powertrain. So far the Tesla is an excellent technical exercise, until its tech filters through, this is no overall problem solver.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
A question, why can't carbon fiber be recycled? And I was under the perception that the entire runof 2006 and 2007 Tesla cars were sold, despite the fact that they cost $90k (ouch!) and we all pre-ordered with HUGE cash deposits. Of course, if you could get around on the equivalent of 50c (US) per gallon ("fuel efficiency equivalent" of 135MPG!!!) would pay for itself over its lifetime, especially as gasoline edges up to $5 a gallon
mre2u2 4 years ago
Because of the resin baked into the material at very warm temp and high pressures (needed to remove air-bubbles thus ensuring strength). Problem is they have an infinite life span. In future it may be possible to shred and reclaim for uses less critical than a chassis/body, but it still requires the same carbon intensive process.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
Using using the tech AND developing HSLA materials technology better, both in properties and in tooling would be a better bet. Steel is recyclable and abundant, and more suitable for **mass production**. You are totally correct. The cars are pretty much paid for but have still not reached the customers yet, and a few people have even dropped out of waiting for one.. Their loss! - but I can understand the frustration.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
I digress from my point tho. - Tesla only mentions the carbon footprint of using the electric compared to using gasoline liquids. It doesn't mention the processes used to make the car nor the fact that it is only really suitable for low to medium volume production. So the tech may start to be making in-roads, bu the vehicle itself hasn't and until the likes of GM and Ford really start to take note, the EV at this present time only a technical exercise.. I do wish Tesla good luck tho.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
If they could put a thin coat of steel over an aluminum honeycomb "skin" that might keep the materials light enough. The honeycomb technology isnt all that difficult, they've done it for years. Also a monocoque frame, maybe even fiberglas like a vette
mre2u2 4 years ago
Carbon fiber can be recycled. It can be turned into a fiber board with less strength but great for consumer goods.
It could also be made in a way that allows bacteria to totally break it down.
Look into bacteria found eating nylon. So now nylon is biodegradable. Go figure.
abram730 4 years ago
But it's only recycling for secondary usage, not primary usage. Steel, aluminium along with most thermoplastics can be recycled for primary usage, ie, little or none has to be extracted in order to produce more of the primary good. Also, simply breaking CF into a biodegradable state is not recycling in the primary or even secondary sense, if it can be called recycling at all.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
I hear we are swimming in carbon and that it's heating up the earth... Actually I been hearing that since I was a child... Carbon fiber is a carbon structure with a binder. There is no shortage for the use of recycled steel, aluminum,...
If carbon was such a great idea for nature/god in construction, why not explore its uses more?
abram730 4 years ago
Lets just walk. You dont even need shoes in warn weather areas like Cali.
m715fm 4 years ago 2
LOL!!! I live in the UK... I need a ruddy boat to get round the place I need to go!!
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
I test drove one of these. Very bumpy ride, poor braking, short range, and I was told they are made in China not California.
I really want a practical EV and still have yet to see one. The Zenn would be great but is limited to 25 mph? If i can get a Yaris for about the same money which has great mileage and unlimited range and no speed restrictions, why would i get one of these?
JohnPaul2006 4 years ago
Trouble is they are still being produced by 'cottage industries'. They have no real economies of scale so development costs, costs for parts and assembly are prohibitive. So these small companies. So these cars cannot be taken seriously. Potentially, the big three have to ability to do this quite easily and bring the costs down and the performance up.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
These are toys. Tesla can do over 130MPH, equiv energy usage of 135MPG, only neg is current cost, which CEO promises to bring down
mre2u2 4 years ago
These only go 25 mph.
liveoilfree 4 years ago
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Tus labios serán besados por la persona que amas solo si pasas este mensaje 20 veces antes de las 12 de la noche y si no te pasarán las 3 cosas que no quieres que te pasen, te van a pasar, te lo prometo.
12aqwsf990 4 years ago
The ZENN (Zero Emissions, No Noise) vehicle is an economy car, unlike the Tesla.
I like the guy who converted his 79 VW to electric power. All he needs now is lithium batteries and solar panels..
AcePilot101 4 years ago
Why do they make them all funny looking?
cyborgtroy 4 years ago 2
Go to lionev website, and see real electric cars. Max Tested Range 456 miles. Cost 30K.
tribluered 4 years ago
Near the beginning of the clip we hear a guy say "It's made in California" That is wrong. The company that imports and sells the cars, (Zap) is based in California, but the factory that builds the cars is in China. Some of the major electrical parts such as the controller are made in the USA, but for the most part, the car is made in China. The Xebra is pretty good for basic transportation, but there is not much legroom in the front seats, so taller folks may not find it very comfortable.
ManRayDali 4 years ago
Search for Tesla Motors and their Tesla Roadster. THAT's a car. It has the performance of a Ferrari or Porsche, but all electric, and at lower price. And they plan to release cheaper sport sedan, for mass production, in 3 years.
That's the future. No more gasoline, we have to help our planet!
Privateer1981 4 years ago 2
It's not perfect for everyone but it would be more than adequate for many commuters I'm sure. It's a good start. It's a pity it's unusual looking. Obviously if it looked a bit more like a standard compact car the sales would skyrocket. I'd even buy one.
cant7think7clearly 4 years ago
Imports will probably come in and save the day once again as they did in the 80s. Losing out on sales ought to pursuade the American companies to get off their asses again. This car is terrible though, average 40mph for 40 miles requiring a not too long but very inconvenient charge. I'd drive a motorcycle instead of this any day. I'd probaby get splattered all over the road by a diesel truck with thing because of the lack of speed to get out of the way.
Shadyhunter04 4 years ago
xebra and other chinese car companies like chery will export their small inexpensive electric vehicles to the US soon and they will catch on in a few years. The big 3 US automakers as usual are asleep at the wheel (no pun intended) and will still be putting out 10 mpg behemoths when gas is 6 dollars plus per gallon with the stupid american consumers screaming nonsense about a conspiracy and excess gas taxes.
videomandw 4 years ago
they make it look like that so no one wants to buy it
theinsane101 4 years ago
also most electric cars are made by VERY small companys with little money so they build off a preexisting car. this car reminds me of the britsh Reliant Robin. also small companys cant use lots of money on technology development like cheaper elec engines and better batterys
gamecarnivor 4 years ago
Electric cars are "ugly" because they have no cosmetic frills. They're designed to keep weight to a minimum, and in this case still carry 4 adults/groceries, etc. This car probably has a fiberglass body that COULD be changed to look like a mini Ferrari, but why and at what cost to weight and practicality? A new M-Benz sedan weighs about 3800 pounds - nearly 2 tons to carry around when you run a local errand like picking up a pizza or groceries (which is what electric cars are designed for).
sal1819 4 years ago
Not true, cars needn't be unnattrctive to be electric
mre2u2 4 years ago
why are electric cars always SO UGLY????
can't they sell an electric audi or mercedes??
this car looks worse than the old renault twingo, and thats very hard!
sebbo6023 4 years ago
Build an inexpensive electric car w/ 200mi range per charge with Home Solar Power connectivity and you'll have to put out ropes to guide the sales line PROVIDED the thing has Air Conditioning.
erod1944 4 years ago
uglier than crap ! I wouldn't be caught dead in this thing ! try the Tesla !
liftdoctor 4 years ago
I like electric cars but 40 miles isnt much.
LinuxGalore 4 years ago
They must market these cars properly. Many hybrids and electrics require a bag over your head to be in it. They look so stupid in design that one is ashamed to be in one. The original GM EV1 looked respectible and people wanted it partly for that fact. So good marketing and good design is a must and that alone will sell these cars.
wilsonbh 4 years ago
You can't tell a Honda hybrid from any other Civic. Awesome little car.
mre2u2 4 years ago
Check out the model "Obvio 828E" from ZAP. Unlike this hideous thing, it actually looks like a small car. They call it "microsport car"... Range is over 200 miles per charge. That would be sweet!
artrasa 4 years ago
The problem is that you can't buy a Obvio, Tesla or Tango. They are not in production this one is in production now.
Personally, the ugliest thing I have seen on the road is the smoke coming from all the ICE SUVs and other block long vehicle out there. Someone has to do something rather than just spout specs and worry about a vehicle beauty contest. We need to change.
Xebranut 4 years ago
I like electric cars, but this one is very ugly. I am desperate for one but I cant drive this.. hahaha!!! Is like they were told to make them ugly so that we dont buy. Think about the G-wiz, more ugly...
Oscar1466 4 years ago
They don't have to be sexy just normal looking would do.
Redshift21 4 years ago
If you want normal looking EVs, go to lionev website.
tribluered 4 years ago
check out a car called the tango, insane fast and cool, high $
ryan4230 4 years ago
man! Build them more sporty looking and people will catch on. duhhh! it is a great idea but build the dang more appealing......COMMON SENSE!
leeentertainment 4 years ago
Very cool, it's the future but why do they have to make a point in building them soooooooooooooooooo ugly, make it sexy and you will sell them, without the price tag like the tesla...
toca5001 4 years ago
These guys are talented engineers, but lousy stylists :( Look at all the BMW's up until now. The American dude Chris Bangle to over and now they look like they've been design with some emotion, rather than just designed as an engineering exercise.
TheSaintST1 4 years ago
very cool, there is also the twike.
enzmusic 4 years ago
"cool"? bet i could haul my bike 20 feet before having to pull out the extension cord, what a joke :-/
SomeGuy0000 4 years ago
very good video. nice use of V.O.
mythdoor 4 years ago
My xebra pk is taking me to work daily a trip of 27 miles, and back home, which involves a 4 mile 1200ft increase in altitude and does it just fine thank you. Each day I commute with it saves more than $5 in gas. And by the way yes the boss is happy to give me the 38 cents a day raise it costs to charge up.kev.
greenmankc 5 years ago
I understand that ZAP is coming out with the ZAP-X High Performance Electric Car, which is a 4-door sedan, looks pretty cool and claims quite a distance between charges. The dealer I spoke to said that it is currently slated for late 2008, at about $60K. Thats high but I think I'd like one for my daily commute.
RUMBLEINN 4 years ago
a $20K ,200 mile range ,family sedan EV ,
will not happen. Mass production will not help.
jmygann 5 years ago
what do you mean as in wont get produced or just not technologically possible please clarify?
ripperarn 4 years ago
200 mile range mass produced full convenience full speed electric is absolutely no problem at all. you will have access to such a vehicle within 2 to 5 years. Also the new hybrids for 08 and 09 will be plug in capable allow you to drive local without a drop of gasoline. - therenewableenergyrevolution
speedtigger 4 years ago
thats a piss poor attitude the pheonix is 40,000 gets 200 miles up to speed give it a few years
david8639 4 years ago
lol, only made for the city
joeb0 5 years ago
The Xebra can only go like 45 mph. It has 3 wheels because US regulations are too strict on small companies, so much so that they can never afford to get a 4 wheel car crash tested.
A $20,000, 0-60 mph < 9 second, 100+ mph capable, 200+ mile range family sedan is possible, but mass production is needed. Only the big automakers have the resources but they lack any desire to do so; the small companies may have the will and knowhow, but lack the money.
terrorist420x 5 years ago
I have the will power but not the know how, is a conversion kit worth the money or does it lack in performance? Do you know what the difference is between a ac conversion kit and a dc conversion kit?
ripperarn 4 years ago
AC conversion kits use 3-phase asynchronous AC induction motors and a very complicated inverter, wheras DC systems typically use a series wound DC motor and a PWM controller. AC kits can do regenerative braking and allow about 10% more range than a comparable DC system, but are much more expensive than a comparable DC system.
terrorist420x 4 years ago