Review of the ZAP Zebra electric vehicle

Louisville Courier-Journal business writer Jere Downs puts the ZAP Zebra electric vehicle through its paces. (By Michael Clevenger, The Courier-Journal) Dec. 2, 2009

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• ZAP
• car
• auto industry
• auto

[2003SCT]

You want something interesting at this price?...Buy a used Smart Car. Its safe, well built, has a/c, quiet, and can actually keep up with traffic. This thing really IS a golf cart with a body..though most golf carts are probably quieter. lol

[ARIS3OLE]

looks like a daewoo matiz (chevy spark now)

[chiconian49]

I purchased my 2008 Xebra sedan in 2009 for $4,200.00 when the dealer went broke and it's a great little car. My average round trip is 10- 14 miles. I never run the batteries lower than 30% to protect them. After a 14 mile trip, they will charge back up in 3 hours. I knew what I was getting when I bought it and have no complaints. My IC car mostly sits in the garage with a trickel charger on the battery. I have not had to buy gas for 6 months. My Zap cost me 12 cents to drive 20 miles. Go Zap!!!

[crazybry79]

@1:50 Hang onto it lady!! I feel bad that you thought this was a corvette that you could just throw into a corner.

What else can you buy for under $12k that will get this sort of milage?? Sure its cheap looking. Sure, it's a beer can on wheels. It's $12,000!!! What do you expect.... If you wanted a performance car, go look at a tesla.

[zapevfilms]

I love my Xebra. Had it four years, 6400 miles, paid $9,999 in 2006. My 18 mpg gas truck is jealous because now it sits home unless we need to go on a trip. 100+ MPGe Xebra great with high gas prices. I'm laughing all the way to the bank. Thank you, ZAP!

[goku1940]

@flatblackstrat That is very true. I never thought of those things. I guess we'll have to just wait and see. I'm glade to see Nissan is starting things off though. Maybe now the big boys will make components cheaper.

[flatblackstrat]

@goku1940 This car is like 11 grand as is because of the lead acid cheapness and simplicity of the system. You go adding advanced battery technology you also then need to ad advanced battery management technology as well so they dont overheat and melt down. This is what makes current electric vehicles so expensive. These guys are waiting for the big boys to bring cost with high volume orders which in turn will make it cheaper for smaller companies to get the same parts.

[goku1940]

This would be nice if it had better batteries such as Nickel Metal Hydride or Lithiom ion. She would overlook many of its shortcomings if it had better batteries. She could have made her ZAP car better by removing one of the Lead Acid batteries and placing a Lithium Polymer battery in it. With even that one replacement the range would increase dramatically. Its just that with 6 Lead Acid batteries you've not been given much energy.

[KenLaunchMag]

Made in China. What more needs to be said.

[KarenRei]

ZAP Xebra: Destroying the name of electric cars since 2006.