Electric Xebra Xero car to offer solar power option

If you prefer to zip around town with a green conscience, you'll be glad to know that electric car maker ZAP will offer a new photovoltaic panel option for its three-wheeled Xebra Xero models. Xebras get their main charge from a standard 110 volt outlet, but the solar panel can power short-distance trips all on its own. Compared to pricier, stranger-looking alternative energy vehicles, a Xebra Xero will give you not a bang, but a solid scoot for your buck, with a top speed of 40 mph and estimated price tag of $12,000. Xebra Xeros are best-suited for city use and are available as a 4-door sedan or 2-passenger pick-up truck. Though you might be a little embarrassed to pick someone up in a whip like this.

[Scooter @ Mar 9th 2007 3:13PM]

Looks like a luggage handler vehicle. I guess we have to start somewhere...

Scooter
http://www.gadgetgrid.com/

[Liqwid @ Mar 9th 2007 3:25PM]

I wonder how it handles potholes.

[futurepastnow @ Mar 9th 2007 6:00PM]

Looks cool to me, but what's with the third headlight in the middle of the hood?

[Gregory Cohen @ Mar 9th 2007 6:11PM]

I went out to CA to test driven one of these. They suck.

The third headlight is there because this thing is legally a motorcycle (keeps them from needing to have it crash tested, or have airbags, or have a lot of stuff). Now I love electric cars, and this is not only underpowered, but poorly designed.

The things that jump out at me first is that there is no room on the left of the break peddle for your left foot. I had to put my left foot under my right to fit. Your knees are in effect your front bumper padding (just like the old VW vans). and the rear view mirror shakes to the point you can't see out of it.

This does not even point out the horror of the rest of the ergonomics including the on/off switch is located between your legs on the front bottom of the drivers seat so you have to get out of the car to turn it on.

There may be cool electric solutions, this is not it.

I've driven golf carts that are faster and easier to drive.

-GReg

[fondy44 @ Mar 9th 2007 7:11PM]

Why does this thing remind me of the old Chevy Luv pickups?

[Ben Hobbs @ Mar 10th 2007 9:38AM]

looks like a tuk-tuk from Phuket, surely they have enough solar power for it to run all day!

[Kevin @ Mar 10th 2007 3:08PM]

Is the truck version the one that will have the solar panels, or will the sedan have it as well?

Kevin

http://solarnewsandreview.blogspot.com