Comments on: Zap to do three-wheeled car in 2009

Three-wheeled cars may make a comeback with the craze over electric cars coming to a boil.

[Bryce Mirtle]

"Charge"

I wonder how long it takes to re-charge the batteries? I had one of
their scooters back in 98' when I lived in San Francisco, it was
unreal. I took it with me when I moved to Lanai' and I was the
most popular guy on the island amongst all the kids. Everyday they
would knock on my door & ask to use it. I liked what the company
stood for & wish them continued success with more energy
efficient products. Now I need one of their electric motors for my
tandem bike to get me around "Surf City!"

[Joe Real]

How about Aptera?

I was wondering that it was not mentioned here, nor was really featured in cnet. This is more realistic, ready for production, gracefully designed, and better aerodynamics than Zap's three-wheeled car. Besides, it gets 120 miles to a charge, and a combined average of 300 miles to a gallon. See this site: http://www.aptera.com/

[sanenazok]

btdt

Oink oink oink

been there done that
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reliant_Robin

[blurble]

Aptera=sleep apnea - 200MPG diesel VW

http://jalopnik.com/cars/news/volkswagen-revives-200+mpg-car-project-252734.php

[zappedone]

5 reasons to buy an electric car

5 Reasons to Buy an Electric Car
Submitted by nhayssen on Thu, 01/31/2008 - 14:52.
1. Zero Air Pollution
ZAP stands for Zero Air Pollution. We believe electricity is the fuel of the future. With electricity to power our transportation, our world can tap into renewable resources like hydroelectric, solar, wind, or geothermal power; resources that lessen our environmental footprint. Furthermore, studies show that millions of electric vehicles can recharge at night using existing surplus electrical generation; a vast, virtually untapped resource.
2. Save Gas
Gasoline is a precious natural resource and vital to the world economy. ZAP vehicles use no gasoline and require no oil changes. Using less fossil fuel can help relieve our current energy shortages while ensuring that future generations can rely on the same inexpensive, useful, petroleum products that we all take for granted.
3. Save Money
Gas keeps getting more expensive. Imagine all the money you can save by ZAPPING to work every day, rather than driving your gas vehicle. The typical electric car costs a penny per mile versus ten cents per mile with gas. Electric bikes and scooters are even less expensive. Plus, electric motors have fewer moving parts, meaning fewer trips to the mechanic. If you live close to work, you can save thousands of dollars per year by replacing your car with a ZAP bicycle.
4. Save Time
Traffic congestion and parking shortages eat away at our busy days, but a ZAP vehicle can help you save time, especially in busy urban areas. ZAP bikes and scooters slice through traffic jams and finding a place to park your ZAP neighborhood car is a snap.
5. Help the Economy
Today, the majority of USA's foreign trade deficit is attributed to imported oil. Using a ZAP vehicle will reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Furthermore, by investing in advanced transportation technologies, the USA can take the technological lead in offering energy efficient products that emerging economies around the world can use to build their own transportation infrastructures.

For more information on buying an Electric Car go to: http://www.zapworld.com
To view the ZAP Xebra Electric Car click here: http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/electric-cars/xebra-sedan

[oxtail01]

Totally NOT TRUE

Where do you think electric energy is coming from? Generating electricity is one the most inefficient ways of converting energy as fuel is burned and there is tremendous amount of energy loss thru heat and mechanical losses. NO POLLUTION? You got to be kidding, majority of electric power plants in US use coal.

[TheManInDboX]

You do realise that in the USA most of the electrisity you talk about comes from coal and natural gas... Which unless you know something i dont... Causes polution..

[barneyRFD]

Wow

Wow, that's cool!

[blurble]

CARVER beats it. As seen TOP GEAR

Apparently they missed the episode where top gear reviewed a swedish companies 3 wheel car, which is far more exciting than this stink bomb.

It also retails for mid $40k. Unfortunatly, they haven't been able to get enough money to meet US safety standards. And as well, the prices for these things is just too high anyway.

You can easily find the video review on youtube.

[TieMeDown]

Zap recently reported to be a sham company

You may wish to check out the recent Wired story on Zap before
posting yet more of their press releases. That story shows that the
vast majority of their announced cars have never materialized, the
partners they claim to have don't actually work with them, they are
under SEC complaints, and appear to have some very dubious
financial arrangements.

[blurble]

there's a danish company that already has one, called the CARVER! So what if it runs on gas. Electricity is no better. And it was showcased on that illustrious automotive tv show TOP GEAR.

[iamarcin]

I am all for this but as long as you make a car that small it shouldn't burn that much gas so you don't need to make it electric. Just a thought to get them out the door quicker. Now that i hear that they have a problem with getting the safety standards up to US specs i am wondering why they dont publicize that more. Since they are that stringent it might quiet the only credible argument against them that an 18wheeler or an SUV will run over them on the road. I hate that argument. Just drive right and you will be ok. The standards the US set will make sure you will be ok.

[jemiller0]

There should be a rule that the press not say anything about yet to be released vehicles from ZAP. Whatever happened to Zap-X? I am a big advocate of electric vehicles, but, I think the people at ZAP are full of it. They need to stop talking about what they are going to do and do it. I test drove one of their Zebra 3 wheeled vehicles and it was a piece of ****. Not worth the money they were charging for it.

[InformedConsumerss]

Why are ZAP cars any different from any of the other auto manufactures that have dozens of prototype vehicles, per year, that never make it to production?? Manufacturing is a trial and error deal and just like any other industry many cars dont make it past the design or concerpt phase for many reasons...but not because the company DOESNT wnat to produce and make money!

[InformedConsumerss]

Hey TieMeDown, you should visit the ZAP showroom to see the actual produced Alias..it's sitting right there gorgeous and as real as can be!