The City of Richmond and Bay Area electric car distributor ZAP (OTC BB: ZAAP.OB) are launching a pilot fleet program to demonstrate ZAP electric trucks in a city fleet, the first fleet in the country to incorporate all-electric city-trucks. These trucks will be used on the historic Bay Trail restoration project with the City's Public Works department.
"As the first fleet in the country to incorporate all-electric city-trucks we are proud to promote zero emissions vehicles," said Richmond Mayor McLaughlin. "We're signaling a direction. Our legacy for the young people of Richmond is lower green house gas emissions, cleaner air, less pollution and a greater commitment to make Richmond vibrant and sustainable."
ZAP calls the XEBRA sedan and truck "city-cars," an electric car design for inner city driving up to 40 MPH. Able to plug into any standard electrical outlet, the XEBRA was designed to quickly and affordably fill the need for all-electric cars and trucks brought on by recent high gas prices. The XEBRA is manufactured through a strategic partnership with a Chinese auto manufacturer and available through ZAP's authorized dealers at a price of about $10,000.
Does this mean that this city could start a trend? The savings in gas and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions certainly would warrant their adoption. How many vehicles are driven in a city, by one person, never going over 40 mph, hauling a small load? Quite a few I bet. If every city over 50,000 people would buy 3 of these trucks, it would amount to a large savings and a big boost for electric vehicles. I could see 3 of this type of vehicle in every parks and recreational department, 4 for parking meter enforcement, and 3 in the water department. With a 2 passenger capacity, a payload of 500 lbs, 6 lead acid batteries, top speed of 40 mph, a range of 25 miles and a 6 month warranty; is that an adequate design? They have an option for upgraded batteries and a 220 V charger that might make a lot of sense. The main question I see is: Does Zap have the capability to pull this off? A look at their current financial statistics makes this questionable or are they at the cusp of a new market that will carry them through? They claim that they have received firm purchase orders for 2,300 electric cars from 19 dealers.
Seems underpowered and underranged, and the 3-wheeled design with the odd wheel in front is known to be less stable. I'd put my money on the Phoenix Motorcars light truck.
Posted by: Doug | March 30, 2007 at 08:22 PM
If the batteries are just ahead of the rear axle, that arrangement would be quite stable enough.
Posted by: Reality Czech | March 30, 2007 at 08:43 PM
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2109194,00.asp
Jimmi, what is the significance of 6,831 = 11 * 23 * 27 ?
Any forecasts on capacity increases for A123?
Posted by: Beek | March 31, 2007 at 01:54 AM
The problematic three wheel design gets around prohibitive legal provisions in US law. These barriers make competing with established automakers almost impossible for a startup with a new design. Lobbyists have done their job well. Monopoly corporations and corrupt government work in concert to stop innovation.
This is why conversion is a great way to go. The expense of establishing a whole new auto design and automaker is side stepped.
If ZAP provide a version of its system that bolted onto the back wheels of a front wheel drive vehicle, that could compete.
Posted by: amazingdrx | March 31, 2007 at 09:34 AM
This vehicle reminds me of the Rush Limbaugh parody
song called "In a Yugo". LMAO !
Posted by: Al Gorebells | March 31, 2007 at 09:53 PM
Beek...
Not sure what you're asking regarding the Tesla's li-ion number... but it raises a few questions about utilizing ordinary li-ion batteries used in their vehicle. I haven't done any intense research on the Tesla so I am kinda in the dark about a few things and would hope some of you here can answer a few questions that I have.
Will the Tesla's batteries be subject to the same end result of let's say the Sony battery recall???
Using ordinary li-ion batteries in the Tesla... will they be subject to thermal run-off and cold charge/start problems???
I'm sure if you keep the roadster in S Cali you should be fine... but is this technology limited to geopraphy???
I'm sure we've all seen the video of the Tesla peeling out in what looks to be a winter setting. How realistic is this scenerio with regular li-ion batteries???
As far as A123 is concerned... I haven't read anything new so if any of you have... please enlighten us.
I wonder how the Supreme Court ruling regarding auto emmisions as air pollutants will change the industry. Saw a news clip on one of the major networks saying the additional costs manufacturers will have to undergo will be passed on to the consumer... if I remember correctly, somewhere in the ballpark of $5k per vehicle. This makes hybrids and EVs look just that much more attractive. A bit later in the show they had a sotry of a pacific island nation (can't remember the name) that was slowly being submerged in the rising sea waters, supposedly due to global warming. The president of the island nation expects his nation will disapear by 2050. In short... there has been alot... and I mean ALOT of news regarding the ill effects of fossill fuel usage just in the last few months. Will the next decade be the one where renewables get the attention they really deserve. I sure hope so!!!
And DrX...
As you have mentioned... and as I have agreed... ALTI just went below the $3 mark today.
Cheers!!!
Posted by: Jimmi | April 03, 2007 at 03:25 PM
I understand that these truck have been bought because they are not polluting and to reduce use of petroleum. the trucks were given the thumbs up by the City Staff as well. Now if only more cities would emulate Richmond. I think ZAP may be able to pull it off, take a look at their warehouse photo.http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/xebra-truck
Posted by: NS | April 24, 2008 at 11:56 AM
We've got these in the Uk, limited on milage but a start
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Posted by: flex | August 19, 2010 at 12:15 AM
If those are used properly then can help in the small scale business.
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