ZAP Xebra

ZAP Xebra is an electric car that was launched in May 2006 in the United States of America (US) market by the ZAP corporation. It is classified legally as a three wheel motorcycle in some jurisdictions, but is available in both sedan (model SD) and pickup (model PK) truck variants. It has seat belts. It does not have regenerative braking. The PK pickup has a dump bed, with fold-down sides and tailgate, that allows easy access to the batteries, controller, motor and charger.

Company

The Xebra was developed by ZAP, a public company based in Santa Rosa, California.

Characteristics

The top speed of the Xebra is 36–mph|40, with a range of about 20 - mile|25 [http://www.wired.com/cars/futuretransport/magazine/16-04/ff_zapped>] [ [http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/autos/0806/gallery.electric_cars_now/5.html CNN, 5 electric cars you can buy now] ] with the standard batteries, or mile|40 with the optional extended range batteries.

The sedan version can carry up to four people. The listed cargo weight capacity for both the SD sedan and the PK pickup is 1000 lb (460 kg), although PK owners have carried more weight than that.

An optional rooftop-mounted solar panel on the Xebra Xero variant allows for trickle solar charging, which should lengthen the range and life of the six traction batteries; it is also available as a roof over the PK pickup bed.

The 2008 "version 6" all-metal version of the Xebra sedan is now in productioncn.

The Xebra is the first production vehicle to be imported from China to the USA, and one of the only city speed electric vehicle in production is available from licensed ZAP/Voltage Vehicle dealers. According to the owner and dealer reports, some of the early 2006 models had problems with the body work, DC-to-DC converters, controllers, or chargers. They were not properly waterproofed and would degrade and malfunction when wet. Newer models delivered in 2007 are waterproofed and these problems are resolved. [Higley, Mark: "Xebra World", [http://xebraworld.com/UPDATES%20AND%20IMPROVEMENTS%20PAGE/UPDATES%20AND%20IMPROVEMENTS%20PAGE.htm] , 17 February 2007.] More recent models have been greatly improved with many low-quality parts being eliminated in the new production facility. Some replacement parts, even on new vehicles, are hard to find. [Woodward, Norm: Xebra_EV discussion group thread. [http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Xebra_EV/message/11974] , 1 October 2007.] Most of these issues have been resolved with the building of and move to a modern high tech moving production line facility. The interruption in production and flow of parts has greatly improved.

According to various news reports, over a hundred and fifty Xebras were sold in 2006. The PK became available in late 2006. According to Zap! 500 Xebra sedans and pickups were ordered by July 2007. [ Zap! [http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/070712/0277059.html] , 17 July 2007.]

Some details:

* Dimensions: 10’ x 4.66’ x 5.05’ high (2.90 m x 1.42 m x 1.54 m high); weight about 1800 lb
* Speed: Up to 40 mph (65 km/h) (limited by a governor)- 36 mph in practice
* Range: Up to 40 miles (65 km). Typically 30 miles @ 20 mph, or 20 miles in practice with the standard batteries
* Seating: 4 (SD sedan) or 2 (PK pickup)
* Motor: 5 kW (6.7 hp) DC brushed Newer, 2008 models, have brushless DC motors.
* Batteries: six lead acid sealed gel 12-volts deep-cycle traction batteries of about 100 ampere-hours (@20 h discharge) each (for a total of 72 volts) plus a 12-volts accessories battery. High-capacity batteries up to about 138 A·h are available as an option. Some dealers offer seven batteries for 84 volts. 2008 models are sold with 140Ah AGM batteries hence the $1000 increase in price for MY 2008 "version 6".
* Classification: 3 wheel motorcycle
* Imported from China
* Brakes: 3-wheel disc brakes (no power assist, no ABS)
* Models: sedan SD, pickup truck PK, sedan SD Xero with solar panel on roof, and pickup truck PK Xero with solar panel over bed

Uses

In addition to ordinary commuter use, 42 Xebra sedans and pickups were deployed by UPS during the 2007 Christmas season in Petaluma, California. They were intended for use in dense neighborhoods and urban areas where larger delivery vans were less efficient and more difficult to maneuver or park.

ee also

* Electric motorcycles and scooters

Notes

External links

* [http://www.zapworld.com/ Zapworld.com]
* [http://www.zapworld.com/files/zap-docs/xebra-slick.pdf SD sedan brochure]
* [http://www.zapworld.com/files/zap-docs/xebra-pk-slick.pdf PK pickup brochure]
* [http://www.zapworld.com/files/zap-docs/xebra-xero.pdf Xero brochure; has solar panel on roof]
* [http://www.zapworld.com/files/zap-docs/xebra-pk-xero.pdf PK Xero with solar panel over bed]
* [http://www.xebraworld.com Xebra World: A Support Community Dedicated to ZAP Xebra Owners And Enthusiasts]
* [http://news.com.com/Automaker+aims+to+bring+clean+cars+to+the+masses/2100-11389_3-6107369.html?tag=nefd.lede Article at CNet]
* [http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Xebra_EV/messages Yahoo discussion forum on Xebra]
* [http://www.obairlann.net.nyud.net:8080/~reaper/zap-xebra/ Review of the PK truck]
* [http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/dec2006/id20061211_390097.htm?chan=innovation_innovation+%2B+design_innovation+and+design+lead Article at Business Week]
* [http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2008-zap-xebra-review/ TTAC.com Xebra review]
* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91646154 "Electric Car Lets Family Save on Gas, with Flair"] on NPR's All Things Considered, June 20th, 2008